How to back up your iPhone to iCloud or a computer
A backup takes a few minutes to set up and saves you if your iPhone is lost, broken or replaced. Here is the right method for you.
The fix
Method 1: back up to iCloud
- 1
Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi.
- 2
Open Settings and tap your name.
- 3
Tap iCloud, then iCloud Backup.
- 4
Turn on Back Up This iPhone.
Your iPhone now backs up every day when it is charging, locked and on Wi-Fi.
- 5
Tap Back Up Now.
Stay on Wi-Fi until it finishes. The time of the last successful backup appears below the button.
The fix
Method 2: back up to a Mac or Windows PC
- 1
Connect the iPhone to the computer with a cable.
- 2
Open Finder (Mac) or the Apple Devices app (Windows).
On older Windows PCs, iTunes does the same job. Tap Trust on the iPhone if asked.
- 3
Select your iPhone.
- 4
Tick Encrypt local backup if you want passwords and Health data included.
Write the encryption password down. Without it, you cannot restore the backup.
- 5
Click Back Up Now.
What an iPhone backup includes
A backup includes app data, settings, the Home Screen layout, messages, and photos if iCloud Photos is off. It does not include things already synced to iCloud, such as contacts, calendars and iCloud Photos, because they are stored there already. Apps themselves are downloaded again from the App Store when you restore.
Frequently asked questions
Does iCloud Backup include my photos?
Not if iCloud Photos is turned on, because your photos are already stored in iCloud. If iCloud Photos is off, your photos are included in the backup.
How often does my iPhone back up to iCloud?
Once a day, automatically, when the iPhone is connected to power and Wi-Fi and the screen is locked.
What if my iCloud storage is full?
Back up to a computer instead, free up iCloud space, or buy a larger iCloud+ plan. When moving to a new iPhone, Apple gives you free temporary storage for the transfer.
What to try next
Related guides
Convert photos to PDF on iPhone
Convert one or several photos to a PDF on iPhone for free with the Files app or the Print menu, combine pages in order, and save or share the PDF.
Change Auto-Lock on iPhone
Change how long your iPhone screen stays on before it locks, choose Never, and fix Auto-Lock when it is greyed out or stuck at 30 seconds by Low Power Mode.