How to Back Up Your iPhone: iCloud or Computer, Step by Step

Back up your iPhone to iCloud automatically, or to a Mac or Windows PC. Here's how each method works, what's included, and how to check your last backup.

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Published 6 min read
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Illustration: How to Back Up Your iPhone: iCloud or Computer, Step by Step

The short answer

For iCloud, go to Settings › [your name] › iCloud › iCloud Backup, turn on Back Up This iPhone and tap Back Up Now. Backups then run automatically when your iPhone is locked, charging and on Wi-Fi. For a computer, connect your iPhone to a Mac (Finder) or a Windows PC (Apple Devices app) and click Back Up Now.

A backup is what saves your photos, messages and settings if your iPhone is lost, broken or replaced. It takes a few minutes to set up and then runs on its own.

You have two options: iCloud, which is automatic and wireless, or a computer, which is free and doesn’t use iCloud storage. Many people use both.

Option 1: Back up to iCloud

  1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
  2. Open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud.
  3. Tap iCloud Backup.
  4. Turn on Back Up This iPhone.
  5. Tap Back Up Now and stay on Wi-Fi until it finishes.

After that, your iPhone backs up automatically each day when it’s connected to power, locked and on Wi-Fi.

Check that it worked

On the same iCloud Backup screen, look under Back Up Now for the date and time of your last successful backup.

If you run out of iCloud storage

  • Turn off backups for large apps you don’t need in Settings › [your name] › iCloud › Storage › Backups.
  • Use iCloud Photos so photos aren’t duplicated in the backup.
  • Buy more iCloud storage, or back up to a computer instead.

Option 2: Back up to a computer

On a Mac

  1. Connect your iPhone with a cable.
  2. Open Finder and select your iPhone in the sidebar.
  3. If asked, tap Trust on your iPhone and enter your passcode.
  4. Under Backups, choose Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.
  5. Tick Encrypt local backup if you want to include passwords and Health data, and set a password.
  6. Click Back Up Now.

On a Windows PC

  1. Install the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store (or use iTunes on older setups).
  2. Connect your iPhone and tap Trust on the phone.
  3. Select your iPhone in the app, choose Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this computer, optionally encrypt it, then click Back Up Now.

What a backup doesn’t include

  • Data already stored in iCloud, like iCloud Photos, Contacts, Calendars and Notes when they’re synced.
  • Content from the App Store and Apple Music, which you can download again.
  • Face ID or Touch ID settings.

When to back up manually

Out of iCloud space? See how to free up iPhone storage. Moving to a new phone? A fresh backup makes it easy to transfer your data to a new iPhone. WhatsApp chats are backed up separately, so back up your WhatsApp chats too.

The bottom line

Turn on iCloud Backup once and check the “last backup” date every so often. If you’d rather not pay for iCloud storage, back up to your computer regularly and encrypt the backup.

Frequently asked questions

Does an iCloud backup include my photos?

If iCloud Photos is turned on, your photos are already stored in iCloud and aren't included again in the backup. If it's off, photos are part of the iCloud backup.

How much iCloud storage do I need?

Every Apple Account includes 5 GB free, which often isn't enough for a full backup. You can see the size of your backup in Settings › [your name] › iCloud › Storage, and buy more if needed.

Should I encrypt my computer backup?

Yes, if you can. An encrypted computer backup also saves passwords, Health data and other sensitive information. Store the encryption password somewhere safe: you can't restore the backup without it.

Why you can trust this guide
  • Based on official sources. The steps here are checked against the 2 official sources listed below, such as the help pages of the companies involved.
  • Checked and dated. Last checked on November 10, 2026. We update guides when software or advice changes.
  • Independent. No company paid for or reviewed this guide. We don't sell products, and ads never influence our advice.
  • Open to corrections. Spotted an error? Tell us and we'll fix it. Read how we research.

Sources

  1. Apple Support — How to back up your iPhone or iPad
  2. Apple Support — What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage?

This guide is general information. Menus and features can change with software updates, and steps may differ on your device or version. Back up important data before making big changes. Read our disclaimer.

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