Learn how to back up and restore your iPhone, iPod or iPad. The guide covers backing up to iCloud from Settings, backing up to a computer with Finder, the Apple Devices app or iTunes, encrypting the backup, and restoring from either an iCloud or a computer backup. Duration: 6 min.
Video Transcript
In this tutorial we show you step by step how to back up and restore your iPhone, iPod or iPad. There are two ways to back up, to iCloud or to a computer, and we cover both, then how to restore.
Lets start with iCloud, which is the easiest. On your device open Settings, tap your name at the top, tap iCloud, then tap iCloud Backup. Turn on Back Up This iPhone. Your device now backs up automatically every day when it is locked, plugged into power and connected to Wi-Fi. To run a backup right now, tap Back Up Now.
To back up to a computer instead, connect the device with a USB cable. On a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, open Finder and select the device in the sidebar. On Windows, open the Apple Devices app, or open iTunes if your PC does not have it. If asked, tap Trust This Computer and enter your passcode.
Click General in the Apple Devices app or Summary in iTunes, then choose Back up all of the data on this device to this computer. If you want to save Health and saved passwords, tick Encrypt local backup and set a password. Write that password down, because Apple cannot recover it. Then click Back Up Now.
Now restoring. To restore from iCloud, the device must be at the Hello setup screen, so a new or erased device. Follow setup until the Transfer Your Apps and Data screen, tap From iCloud Backup, sign in with your Apple Account and choose the backup by date and size.
To restore from a computer backup, connect the device, open Finder, the Apple Devices app or iTunes, select the device and click Restore Backup. Pick the most recent backup, enter the encryption password if asked, and click Restore.
Keep the device connected until it restarts and finishes syncing. That is how you back up and restore an iPhone, iPod or iPad.
Watch the full video above to see exactly where to click, then follow the written 8 steps underneath.
What you'll see in this video
- Opening Settings, your name, iCloud and iCloud Backup
- Turning on Back Up This iPhone and tapping Back Up Now
- Connecting the device and trusting the computer
- Choosing Encrypt local backup and clicking Back Up Now in Finder or the Apple Devices app
- Restoring from iCloud at setup, or restoring from a computer backup
iCloud Backup or Computer Backup, Which Should You Use?
Apple gives you two ways to back up an iPhone, iPod or iPad, and they suit different needs. An iCloud backup is automatic, wireless and stored offsite, running every day when the device is locked, charging and on Wi-Fi, but the free tier gives you only 5 GB. A computer backup through Finder on a Mac, or the Apple Devices app or iTunes on Windows, is free no matter how large your data is, stays on your own drive, and can encrypt sensitive Health and password data. Many people use both, iCloud for daily convenience and an occasional computer backup for a full local copy. Restoring works from either source: an iCloud backup is applied during device setup, while a computer backup is applied over a USB cable at any time. Either way, a restore replaces the current device contents, so back up anything important first.
8 Steps to Back Up and Restore Your iPhone, iPod or iPad
Follow along with the video above as you work through these steps. As shown in the clip, watch where the Encrypt local backup checkbox sits, and where From iCloud Backup appears during setup.
- On your device open Settings > your name > iCloud > iCloud Backup and turn on Back Up This iPhone, so it backs up automatically when locked, charging and on Wi-Fi. Watch where the iCloud Backup screen sits inside Settings in the video above.
- To back up immediately rather than waiting for the daily automatic backup, tap Back Up Now on the same screen. Stay on Wi-Fi until it finishes.
- To back up to a computer instead, connect the device with a USB cable. If asked, tap Trust This Computer and enter your passcode.
- On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, open Finder and select the device. On Windows, open the Apple Devices app, or iTunes if your PC does not have it.
- Click General (Apple Devices app) or Summary (iTunes), choose Back up all data to this computer, tick Encrypt local backup to include Health and passwords, set a password you write down, then click Back Up Now. As shown in the video, ticking Encrypt local backup is what enables Health and saved passwords in the backup.
- To restore from iCloud, the device must be at the Hello setup screen (erase it first if already set up). Follow setup to the Transfer Your Apps and Data screen and tap From iCloud Backup.
- Sign in with your Apple Account and choose the backup by date and size. If prompted that you need newer software, follow the steps to update, then continue.
- To restore from a computer, connect the device, open Finder, the Apple Devices app or iTunes, select it and click Restore Backup. Pick the latest backup, enter the encryption password if asked, click Restore and keep it connected until it restarts and syncs.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Write down your encryption password and store it safely. Apple cannot recover an encrypted backup password, and without it the backup is unusable. This is the single most common way people lose access to a backup.
- A restore replaces everything currently on the device with the chosen backup. Back up any photos or files that are only on the device before you start a restore.
- Free iCloud storage is only 5 GB, which fills quickly. If iCloud backup fails, check your available storage in Settings, iCloud, and either free space or use a computer backup instead.
- iCloud restore is only offered during device setup. If the device is already set up you must erase it first, which is why a computer restore is handier for an in-place restore.
- Keep the device plugged into power and on Wi-Fi after a restore. Apps, photos and content keep downloading in the background for a while after the device first restarts.
Tips for Safe Backups
- Use both methods for important devices. An automatic daily iCloud backup plus an occasional encrypted computer backup means you are covered even if one source fails.
- Check the backup date before you rely on it. In Finder or the Apple Devices app the last backup date is shown, and on the device the iCloud Backup screen shows the time of the last successful backup.
- Before getting a new device, run a fresh backup on the old one the same day, so the new device restores with your most recent data.
- Use a data-capable USB cable for computer backups. A charge-only cable will let the device charge but it will not appear in Finder, the Apple Devices app or iTunes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I back up to iCloud or to a computer?
Both work, and you can use both for safety. iCloud is automatic, wireless and offsite, backing up daily when your device is locked, charging and on Wi-Fi, but free iCloud storage is limited to 5 GB. A computer backup with Finder, the Apple Devices app or iTunes is free regardless of size, stays local, and can include encrypted Health and password data.
What does Encrypt local backup do, and do I need it?
Encrypting a computer backup protects it with a password and is the only way to include sensitive data like Health, Activity and saved Wi-Fi and account passwords. Tick Encrypt local backup and set a password you store safely. Apple cannot recover this password, so if you lose it the encrypted backup cannot be used.
Do I need iTunes, or can I use something else?
On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later you use Finder, not iTunes. On Windows you use the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store, or iTunes if your PC does not have the Apple Devices app. All three offer the same Back Up Now and Restore Backup options.
Why can I only restore from iCloud during setup?
An iCloud restore replaces the whole device, so Apple only offers it at the Transfer Your Apps and Data screen during initial setup. If the device is already set up, you must erase it first (Settings, General, Transfer or Reset), after which the From iCloud Backup option appears during setup.
Will restoring erase what is currently on my device?
Yes. A full restore replaces the current contents with the chosen backup. If the device already holds photos or files you have not saved elsewhere, back them up before you restore. After restoring, keep the device connected to power and Wi-Fi so apps and content finish downloading.