How to back up iPhone

You can back up iPhone using iCloud or your computer. iCloud backups store information and settings on your iPhone that don’t regularly sync to iCloud, including things like device settings, Home Screen layout, and app organization.

iCloud automatically backs up your iPhone daily when it’s connected to power, locked, and connected to Wi-Fi. You can also save a backup of your iPhone on your Mac or Windows device, and encrypt your backup data to protect it with a password.

Quick tip: If you replace your iPhone, you can use its backup to transfer your information to the new device.

Back up iPhone using iCloud

Things like device settings, Home Screen layout, and app organization don’t regularly sync to iCloud, so iCloud backups store that information.

1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap [your name] and tap iCloud. Tap iCloud Backup.
3. Turn on Back Up This iPhone.

   iCloud automatically backs up your iPhone daily when iPhone is connected to power, locked, and connected to Wi-Fi.

   Note: On models that support 5G, your carrier may give you the option to back up iPhone using your cellular network. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, then turn Back Up Over Cellular on or off.

4. To perform a manual backup, tap Back Up Now.

View available iCloud storage

1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap [your name], then tap iCloud.

Both the amount of iCloud storage used and the amount available appear at the top of the screen.

Manage iCloud storage

For iCloud backups, you can view details such as the last backup, the apps included in the backup, and the next backup size.

1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap [your name], then tap iCloud.
3. Tap iCloud Backup, then tap your iPhone (This iPhone).
4. To reduce the size of a backup, turn off the apps you don’t want to back up anymore; the apps’ existing backup data will also be deleted from iCloud.

Back up iPhone using your Mac

Your Mac can store a backup of your iPhone, too.

1. Connect iPhone and your computer with a cable.
2. In the Finder sidebar on your Mac, select your iPhone.

   To use the Finder to back up iPhone, macOS 10.15 or later is required. With earlier versions of macOS, use iTunes to back up iPhone.

3. At the top of the Finder window, click General.
4. Select Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.
5. To encrypt your backup data and protect it with a password, select Encrypt local backup.
6. Click Back Up Now.

   Note: You can also connect iPhone to your computer wirelessly.

Back up iPhone using your Windows device

1. Connect iPhone and your computer with a cable.
2. In the iTunes app on your Windows device, click the iPhone button near the top left of the iTunes window.
3. Click Summary.
4. Click Back Up Now (below Backups).
5. To encrypt your backups, select “Encrypt local backup,” type a password and click Set Password.

To see the backups stored on your computer, choose Edit > Preferences, then click Devices. Encrypted backups have a lock icon in the list of backups.

Note: You can also connect iPhone to your computer wirelessly.