How to Backup Your iPhone
We've all had it happen: A bad drop, a lost phone, or a hard reset you didn't mean to initiate. These events can mean you need a new phone altogether, and you may also lose precious images, videos, and other data, especially if you don't regularly use iCloud backups.
So, if you don't back up your iPhone regularly, how do you do it? And can you back up all the data or do you have to choose specific backup settings?
Which Backup Method is Best? iCloud vs. Mac (or PC) vs. Other Options
While you've probably heard about iCloud backups more often than not, there are actually several other ways to back up your iPhone or iPad. On top of iCloud backups, you can use iTunes backups and computer backups to safeguard your data.
Automatic iCloud backups are often the most convenient because they're the closest you can get to a "set it and forget it" option. iCloud backups also offer up to 12TB of storage space.
That number increases to 14TB if you combine it with an Apple One Premier plan, which should offer more than enough storage to keep you covered for quite some time.
However, Mac and PC storage can offer faster backups with more storage, as your overall storage space isn't limited by your iCloud plan, but rather by your available desktop storage.
How to Access iCloud Settings
Using iCloud on your device is fairly straightforward. Go to your device's Settings app to access your iCloud backup settings. From there, click on your name. Then, navigate to iCloud on your iOS device.
You can do a few things once you're in the iCloud space. First, you can look at your available storage and current data usage. You can also turn some iCloud features on and off, such as iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive, and iCloud Backup.
What does iCloud back up?
Depending on how you back up your iPhone, your iCloud plan can store dozens of different backup file types. Apple currently supports iCloud backups and sharing for several key files, including:
- iCloud photos and videos
- Map favorites
- Text messages
- Contacts, Notes, Reminders and Calendars
- App data
- Voice memos
- Home and health data
- Passwords and payment methods
- Backup files and documents
- Other third-party backup folder types
- Other local backup data
Beyond the encrypted backup data you can store via iCloud, you can also use iCloud Find My features to locate lost devices or share your location amongst household members or friends. You can also share your backup iPhone data, folders, and documents through iCloud Drive. Lastly, you can establish a backup that enables you to share your photos and videos in the drive.
How to Back Up Your iPhone to iCloud
- Make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi.
- Go to the Settings app > tap on your name > tap iCloud.
- Tap on iCloud Back Up.
- Tap on Back Up Now. Make sure that your Wi-Fi connection is stable while the backup process is completed.
- On this same screen, you'll be able to see the date of your last back up and any alert that you may need to purchase more iCloud storage.
Can you buy more iCloud storage with iCloud+?
Depending on your current iCloud plan, you can upgrade your phone and access higher storage tiers via iCloud+. If you want to protect more of your precious data, you can designate iCloud photos, back up contacts, store health and activity data, and protect local app data.
When you're ready to upgrade to iCloud+, you can do it through various Apple devices or on a Windows PC. We'll take you through each method.
Buy more iCloud storage on your iPhone or iPad
On an iPhone or an iPad, go to the Settings application and tap your name or Apple ID. Then, tap iCloud, followed by Manage Account Storage or Manage Storage, depending on your device and iOS. You can also scroll down and tap Upgrade to iCloud+.
Finally, you'll choose an iCloud plan that can handle all of your iPhone backups and follow the displayed instructions to upgrade your account.
Buy more iCloud storage on your Mac device
Start by clicking on the Apple icon on your Mac. This will bring up a list of options, but you're looking for either System Settings or System Preferences.
From there, click Apple ID. In the Apple ID menu, you'll then click on iCloud followed by Manage. Or, you can scroll down and select Upgrade to iCloud+.
Once you're on the next page, select either Change Storage Plan or Buy More Storage. This will provide you with several different storage options. Choose one that can effectively back up your iPhone and select it to continue.
At this point, you'll need to enter your Apple ID and password to confirm the changes.
Buy more iCloud storage on a Windows PC
On a Windows PC, navigate to your iCloud for Windows application. If you don't already have this installed, you'll need to download it before proceeding.
Once inside the iCloud for Windows app, look for the Storage option. Click on this and then select Change Storage Plan. Choose the amount of iCloud space that best suits your needs and click Next.
Finally, enter your Apple ID and password, and then click Buy.
Connecting Your iPhone to the Computer
If you'd like to connect your iPhone directly to a desktop PC or Mac for iTunes backup or iPhone backup, you'll first need to verify that you're running the appropriate operating system. For Mac, you should be on macOS X 10.9 or later. For PC, it should be Windows 7 or newer.
You'll want to connect your iPhone via the charging cable that came with your device. Plug it into your iPhone and an available USB port on your computer. You will require an adapter if you don't have a compatible USB cable.
Finally, once you're connected, your device may ask you whether or not you trust the new computer you just plugged in. Select Trust to proceed.
How to Figure Out Your iCloud Backup Size
Initially, your device comes with 5GB of free iCloud storage included. However, if you upgraded to iCloud+, you'll have different data availability. You can quickly check how much available data you have left on your device from the Settings menu.
Find iCloud Size On iPad or iPhone
On an iPhone or iPad, go to the Settings menu. Select your name and then tap iCloud backup or the iCloud option. At this point, you should see a bar graph that depicts how much storage you've used across several categories.
Find iCloud Backup Size on Mac
On macOS 13 or later, click on the Apple Menu icon, click System Settings, select your name, and click iCloud on the right.
On macOS 12 or earlier, click on the Apple Menu icon, choose System Preferences, and then click iCloud. The storage bar will show you how much space you have available compared to how much has been used up.
Back Up iPhone Using iTunes
iTunes automatically creates a backup whenever you connect your device to a compatible computer. On iOS 10.3 and later, iTunes encrypts your backup data upon connection.
Start by connecting your device to a computer you already sync with. Next, open the iTunes window. In the top left of the application screen, look for the Device button. Click it and then select Summary. Then, click Back Up Now, listed below Backups.
To encrypt a backup, select Encrypt Backup, type a strong password, and then set the password.
Back Up Using Finder on an Apple Mac
If you didn't already know, you can perform an iCloud backup using the Finder window on your Apple Mac device. First, connect your iPhone and your Mac with the appropriate cable. If you're using a newer iPhone, this will be a USB cable. Select the Finder sidebar on your Mac and navigate to your iPhone.
Remember that to use Finder to back up your iPhone, you need to have a device compatible with macOS 10.15 or newer. Otherwise, you'll need to back up your iPhone using the iTunes application.
At the top of the Finder window, click General. Then, select "Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac."
Select "Encrypt Local Backup" if you want to encrypt and password-protect your backup file information. Once you're ready, select Back Up Now and wait for the process to complete.
Selling Your Phone with ecoATM
Once you've backed up your personal data and removed it from your device, you're ready to sell your device for instant cash!
With over 5,000 locations across the country, ecoATM is a convenient and secure option for your used devices. Simply price your device ahead of time to generate a drop-off code and bring it with your device to any ecoATM kiosk.