How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Learn how to safeguard your important data by regularly backing up your iOS and iPadOS devices.

Creating a backup is crucial for preventing the loss of important and valuable data if your device gets damaged or lost. Backups are also essential when transferring data from an old device to a new one.

Choosing the right backup method for you

Before you start backing up your device, familiarize yourself with the available backup types.

iCloud:

  • Backs up your device online to iCloud.
  • Offers 5 GB of free storage, upgradable up to 2 TB.
  • Always encrypts your backups.
  • Lets you create and use backups anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection.

Computer:

  • Backs up your device locally on your computer.
  • Storage space depends on the available capacity on your computer.
  • Offers backup encryption (disabled by default).
  • Lets you create and use backups from your computer.

Selecting your backup method

Choose the method that works best for you. If you need an alternative backup, you can create one using iCloud and another using your computer.

How to back up using iCloud

  1. Connect your device to a stable Wi-Fi network.
  2. Go to Settings > [your name], then tap iCloud.
  3. Tap iCloud Backup.
  4. Tap Back Up Now. Stay connected to your Wi-Fi network until the process is complete.

You can check the progress and confirm the backup is complete. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. Under Back Up Now, you’ll see the date and time of your last successful backup.

How to back up using your computer

  1. Connect your device to your computer.
    • On a Mac with macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, open Finder.
    • On a Mac with macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier, or on a PC, open iTunes.
  2. If prompted for your device passcode or to Trust This Computer, follow the onscreen steps.
  3. Locate your device on the computer (in Finder or iTunes).
  4. If you want to save Health and Activity data from your device or Apple Watch, you need to encrypt your backup: Select the “Encrypt [device] backup” checkbox and create a memorable password. If you don’t need to save your Health and Activity data, you can create an unencrypted backup. Just click Back Up Now.
  5. After the process completes, you can see if the backup was successful.
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