This article shows you how to back up data stored inside an iPhone. For example photos, contacts, calendars, etc. You can save this information to both iCloud and your computer.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using iCloud
Step 1. Launch the Settings app
It is characterized by a gray gear icon (⚙️), which is normally located within one of the pages that make up the Home screen.
Step 2. Tap on Wi-Fi
It is located at the top of the "Settings" menu that appeared.
To back up your data to iCloud, your device must be connected to a Wi-Fi network
Step 3. Activate the "Wi-Fi" slider by moving it to the right
In this way it will take on a green color.
Step 4. Select the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to
To do this, tap on its name that appears in the "Choose a network" section where all the wireless networks detected in the area are listed.
If it is a password protected network, when prompted, enter your login credentials
Step 5. Enter the "Settings" menu again
If you are still in the "Wi-Fi" menu, tap on it Settings located in the upper left corner of the screen. If not, start the Settings app again as you did in the previous steps.
Step 6. Tap your Apple ID
It is located at the top of the screen and is characterized by your name and the profile picture you have chosen (if you have selected one).
- If you haven't signed in to your Apple ID yet, tap the entry Log in with ([device_model]), type in your Apple ID and login password and press the button Log in.
- If you are using an older version of iOS, you may not need to perform this step.
Step 7. Select the iCloud entry
It is located within the second section of the menu.
Step 8. Choose the type of data to include in the iCloud backup
To do this, activate the sliders next to the name of the applications whose contents you want to save (for example "Contacts" and "Calendars") by moving them to the right, so that they take on a green color. This way their data will be included in the backup.
Remember that all data related to apps whose slider is disabled (i.e. appears white) will not be included in the backup
Step 9. Scroll to the bottom of the list and press the Backup button
It is located at the end of the second section of the menu.
Step 10. Activate the "iCloud Backup" slider by moving it to the right
In this way it will take on a green color. At this point, the selected data on the iPhone will be saved to iCloud whenever the device is connected to a Wi-Fi network.
Step 11. Press the "Back Up Now" button to start the automatic backup procedure
This step may take a fair amount of time to complete, but in the meantime you will still be able to use the device normally.
Once the backup is complete, all the selected data will be saved within the iCloud account associated with the Apple ID to which the iPhone is connected and you can use them to restore the latter, if you ever have one. need
Method 2 of 3: Using iTunes
Step 1. Connect iPhone to computer
Use the USB cable that came with the device at the time of purchase.
If this is your first time performing this step, you will need to authorize the procedure by pressing the "Authorize" button that appeared on the iPhone screen
Step 2. Launch iTunes, then select the iPhone-shaped icon
The latter should appear next to the icons at the top of the iTunes window a few moments after connecting the iOS device to the computer.
This will bring up the "Summary" or "Summary" tab (depending on the version of iTunes you are using)
Step 3. Unlock the iPhone
If your device is currently locked with a passcode, you will need to unlock it before you can start the backup process.
Step 4. Select the "This Computer" item located within the "Backup" section
In this way iTunes will be able to backup the data on the iPhone by saving it directly on the computer, saving precious space on iCloud. The backup is also done automatically during the device synchronization process.
If you also need to save passwords, data relating to the Homekit app or those relating to your health and the training you carry out, you will need to select the check button "IPhone backup encryption" and create a password to protect your information.
Step 5. Press the Back Up Now button
This way the backup procedure will be performed immediately.
- You may be prompted to back up applications that aren't currently in your iTunes library. This event occurs when you have installed applications using other sources than usual or if you have not yet synced your latest iPhone purchases to your iTunes library. Remember that you will only be able to restore these apps after adding them to your library.
- You may also need to sync new purchases from iPhone to iTunes. This occurs when you install new content on your iOS device without first setting up iTunes to automatically download it.
Step 6. Wait for the backup process to complete
After adding or not adding new applications on the iPhone and transferring all purchases to iTunes, the data on the iPhone will be saved on the computer. You have the ability to monitor the process by looking at the related status bar that appears at the top of the iTunes window.
- iTunes will back up your configuration settings, contacts, application data, messages and photos. Any music, video, or podcast that is already in your iTunes media library or content that has been inserted using other tools will not be included in the save. In this case, you will need to re-sync with iTunes after the backup process is complete.
- The iPhone backup files are stored in the iTunes "Media" folder.
Method 3 of 3: Back Up a Modified iPhone
Step 1. Download the PKGBackup program
If you are using an original iPhone, that is, one that has not been jailbroken, you can use iTunes or iCloud to back up your data in total safety, without the need to install third-party applications. If you are using a modified iPhone, you will need to install an app like PKGBackup to be able to back up all unauthorized apps and related data.
You can download and install PKGBackup directly from Cydia, if you have jailbroken your iPhone
Step 2. Start the PKGBackup app and select the Settings item
This way you will have the possibility to choose where to save the backup files. You can connect to several clouding services including Dropbox, OneDrive and Google Drive. If you wish, you can also send the backup file to an FTP server.
The settings menu also allows you to schedule the backup to run
Step 3. Return to the main application screen and tap the Backup item
This way you will have the possibility to choose the data to be included in the backup. You can switch between viewing modes to have access to Apple apps, App Store apps, those downloaded via Cydia and all other files stored on your device.
Tap the icon on the right of each item in the list to include it or not in the backup
Step 4. Start the backup procedure
Once you have selected all the apps, programs and files you want to save, you can start the backup process. The time required for completion varies based on the size of the data to be saved and whether or not the final file will need to be uploaded to a cloud service.
