How to Backup Your iPhone

We’ve all had it happen: A bad drop, a lost phone, or a hard reset you didn’t mean to initiate. These events can mean you need a new phone altogether, and you might also lose images, videos, and other data – especially if you don’t use iCloud backups. According to a 2024 Handy Recovery Advisor survey, only 36% of iOS users back up their data regularly, which means the majority of iPhone users are at risk of losing their data at any given moment.

So, if you don’t back up your iPhone regularly, how do you do it? And can you back up all the data, or do you have to choose specific backup settings?

Which backup method is best? iCloud vs. Mac (or PC) vs. other options

While you’ve probably heard about iCloud backups more often than not, there are actually several other ways to back up your iPhone or iPad. On top of iCloud backups, you can use computer backups via Mac or PC to safeguard your data.

Automatic iCloud backups are often the most convenient because they’re the closest you can get to a “set it and forget it” option. Every Apple user starts with 5 GB of free iCloud storage, though that fills up quickly depending on how much data you have. Paid iCloud+ plans offer significantly more room, with tiers available at 50 GB, 200 GB, 2 TB, 6 TB, or 12 TB – so there’s a plan to fit most needs.

It’s worth noting that iCloud backups are only retained for 180 days after you disable or stop using iCloud Backup, so if you switch methods, don’t assume your old backup will stick around indefinitely. If you’re switching devices, Apple does give you a 21-day window to restore a temporary backup before it’s permanently deleted.

Mac and PC backups can be a strong alternative, offering potentially faster backup speeds and no storage cap tied to a subscription plan – your available space is only limited by your local drive. This makes local backups a great complement to iCloud, especially for users with large amounts of data. A typical iCloud backup can range anywhere from 1 GB to over 100 GB depending on what’s stored on your device.

Despite all these options, a 2024 survey by Handy Recovery Advisor found that only 36% of iOS users back up their data regularly. Across all users, just 33% back up consistently, 27% do it a few times a year, and nearly 20% do it rarely – a good reminder that having an easy backup method matters more than ever. If you’re also weighing whether it’s time for a new device, check out our guide to the best iPhone models to buy in 2024.

Access iCloud Settings

Using iCloud on your device is fairly straightforward. Go to your device’s Settings app to access your iCloud backup settings. From there, tap on your name at the top of the screen. Then, tap iCloud to access your iCloud settings.

Once you’re in the iCloud settings, you can do a few things. First, you can review your available storage and current data usage – keep in mind that Apple gives every iCloud user 5 GB of free storage to start. If you need more, paid iCloud+ plans are available in tiers of 50 GB, 200 GB, 2 TB, 6 TB, or 12 TB.

You can also toggle iCloud features on and off from this screen, including iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive, and iCloud Backup. A typical iCloud backup can range anywhere from 1 GB to over 100 GB depending on how much data is stored on your device, so it’s worth keeping an eye on your storage usage. One easy way to free up space is to delete photos on your iPhone that you no longer need.

A few other things worth knowing about iCloud backups:

• If you disable or stop using iCloud Backup, your backups remain available for 180 days before they are permanently deleted.
• When switching to a new device, Apple gives you 21 days to restore from a temporary backup before it’s deleted.
• Since iOS 9, iCloud backups include user data from apps, but not the apps themselves – those are re-downloaded separately.

Despite how useful iCloud Backup is, many users aren’t taking full advantage of it. According to a Handy Recovery Advisor survey from late 2024, only 36% of iOS users back up their data regularly, and overall just 33% of all users back up consistently. Another 27% do it only a few times a year, and nearly 20% do it rarely or never. Regularly reviewing your iCloud backup settings is a simple habit that can save you from significant data loss down the road — including making it much easier to recover a deleted voicemail on your iPhone.

What does iCloud back up?

Depending on how you back up your iPhone, your iCloud plan can store dozens of different backup file types. Apple currently supports iCloud backups and sharing for several key files, including:

• Voice Memos
• Map Favorites
• iCloud Photos and Videos
• Home and Health Data
• Backup Files and Documents
• News, Stocks, and Weather Settings
• Safari Bookmarks and Open Tabs
• Contacts, Notes, Reminders, and Calendars
• Messages
• Passwords and Payment Methods
• App Data (since iOS 9, user data is backed up but not the apps themselves)
• Other Third-Party Backup Folder Types
• Other Local Backup Data

Beyond the encrypted backup data you can store via iCloud, you can also use iCloud Find My features to locate lost devices or share your location among household members or friends. You can also share your backed-up iPhone data, folders, and documents through iCloud Drive, and share photos and videos through iCloud Photos.

It’s worth noting that a typical iCloud backup can range anywhere from 1 GB to over 100 GB, depending on how much data is stored on your device. Every iCloud account starts with 5 GB of free storage, which fills up quickly for most users. If you need more space, paid iCloud+ plans are available at 50 GB, 200 GB, 2 TB, 6 TB, or 12 TB tiers.

One important detail to keep in mind: iCloud backups remain available for 180 days after you disable or stop using iCloud Backup. If you’re switching to a new device, Apple gives you 21 days to restore a temporary backup before it’s permanently deleted.

Despite how valuable these backups are, a surprising number of people skip them altogether. According to a Handy Recovery Advisor survey launched in October 2024, only 36% of iOS users back up their data regularly. Across all platforms, only 33% of users back up regularly, 27% do so a few times a year, and nearly 20% rarely back up at all — leaving a significant portion of users at risk of permanent data loss.

Can you buy more iCloud storage with iCloud+?

Depending on your current iCloud plan, you can upgrade your storage and access higher tiers via iCloud+. Every iCloud account starts with 5 GB of free storage, but if you want to protect more of your precious data – including iCloud photos, contacts, health and activity data, and local app data – you’ll likely need to upgrade.

Paid iCloud+ plans are available in the following tiers: 50 GB, 200 GB, 2 TB, 6 TB, and 12 TB. When you’re ready to upgrade, you can do it through various Apple devices or on a Windows PC. We’ll take you through each method.

Buy more iCloud storage on your iPhone or iPad

On an iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app and tap your name or Apple ID at the top. Then tap iCloud, followed by Manage Account Storage or Manage Storage, depending on your device and iOS version. You can also scroll down and tap Upgrade to iCloud+.

From there, choose an iCloud+ plan that suits your needs and follow the on-screen instructions to complete your upgrade.

Buy more iCloud storage on your Mac

Start by clicking the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen. From the dropdown menu, select System Settings (on macOS Ventura and later).

Next, click your name or Apple ID at the top of the sidebar, then click iCloud, followed by Manage. Alternatively, you may see an option to select Upgrade to iCloud+ directly.

On the following screen, select Change Storage Plan or Buy More Storage. You’ll be presented with the available iCloud+ storage tiers. Choose the one that best fits your needs and follow the prompts.

You’ll be asked to enter your Apple ID password to confirm the purchase.

Buy more iCloud storage on a Windows PC

On a Windows PC, open the iCloud for Windows application. If you don’t already have it installed, download it from the Microsoft Store before proceeding.

Once inside the app, locate and click the Storage option, then select Change Storage Plan. Choose the storage tier that best suits your needs and click Next.

Finally, enter your Apple ID and password, then click Buy to complete your purchase.

Connect your iPhone to the computer

If you’d like to connect your iPhone directly to a desktop PC or Mac for an iTunes backup or iPhone backup, you’ll first need to verify that you’re running the appropriate operating system. For Mac, you should be running macOS Ventura or later for the best compatibility. For PC, it should be Windows 10 or newer.

You’ll want to connect your iPhone via the charging cable that came with your device. Plug it into your iPhone and an available USB port on your computer. Keep in mind that newer iPhones use a USB-C cable, while older models use a Lightning cable – you may need an adapter if your computer doesn’t have a compatible port.

Once connected, open Finder on Mac (iTunes is no longer used on modern macOS versions) or iTunes on Windows to manage your backup. Your device may also prompt you to enter your passcode and ask whether or not you trust the new computer you just plugged in. Select Trust to proceed.

It’s worth noting that a typical iPhone backup can range from 1 GB to over 100 GB depending on how much data is stored on your device, so make sure you have enough free space on your computer before backing up locally.

Figure out your iCloud backup size

Initially, your device comes with 5GB of free iCloud storage included. However, if you upgraded to iCloud+, you’ll have more storage available. Paid iCloud+ plans offer 50 GB, 200 GB, 2 TB, 6 TB, or 12 TB of storage depending on the tier you choose. You can quickly check how much available storage you have left on your device from the Settings menu.

Find iCloud size on iPad or iPhone

On an iPhone or iPad, go to the Settings menu. Select your name and then tap iCloud. At this point, you should see a bar graph that depicts how much storage you’ve used across several categories.

Find iCloud backup size on Mac

On macOS 13 (Ventura) or later, click on the Apple Menu icon, click System Settings, select your name, and click iCloud on the right.

On macOS 12 (Monterey) or earlier, click on the Apple Menu icon, choose System Preferences, and then click iCloud. The storage bar will show you how much space you have available compared to how much has been used up.

Find iCloud backup size on Windows

On a Windows PC, open your iCloud for Windows application. You’ll immediately see a bar graph that shows how much storage you’re currently using. You can click on the Storage option to see a more detailed breakdown of how much space you’ve used.

Apple’s most commonly used categories include family data and backed-up iPhone information. Keep in mind that a typical iCloud backup can range anywhere from 1 GB to over 100 GB depending on how much data is stored on your device.

• Backups: These include iCloud backups of your iPhone or iPad. Note that since iOS 9, backups include your app data but not the apps themselves.
• Family: This will show you how much storage your family members have used if you share an iCloud+ account.
• Mail: This category includes the standard mail from your iCloud address and any mail from custom domains and addresses.
• Messages: Messages include not only the messages you send and receive via iMessage but any attachments as well.
• Photos and Videos: As the name suggests, these are the photos and videos stored in your iCloud space.
• Documents: Files, information, third-party application data, and much more call the Documents section home.
• Others: If you have a smaller screen-size device, you may see the “Others” category since your handset will prioritize top categories first and foremost. You can also customize your iPhone home screen to better organize how you access apps and features.

Below the graph, you’ll see a list of features and apps alongside how much iCloud storage they currently use. You can tap on any app or feature to learn more about how it uses data and storage space on your device. If you’re looking to protect your iPhone while managing storage, it’s worth reviewing all the ways to keep your device in good shape.

Why is my iPhone backup taking forever?

If you find yourself stuck while you back up your iPhone and wonder why it’s taking so long, there are a few common culprits, including data-heavy applications or an unreliable internet connection.

For example, your encrypted backup might take too long because your phone has several data-rich apps. These can include mobile games with large save files and apps that have larger local files or app data. Keep in mind that since iOS 9, backups include user data from apps but not the apps themselves – so even without the full app, save data and app files can still add significant bulk to your backup.

Also, you may simply have too many files and videos on your device to efficiently back up your iPhone data. A typical iCloud backup can range from 1 GB to over 100 GB depending on what’s stored on your device, so it’s worth following recommended device cleaning tips or manually removing duplicate photos or low-quality videos before attempting your next iCloud backup.

Another factor worth considering is your available iCloud storage. Apple only provides 5 GB of free iCloud storage, which fills up quickly for most users. If your storage is nearly full or maxed out, your backup will stall or fail entirely. Upgrading to an iCloud+ plan gives you 50 GB, 200 GB, 2 TB, 6 TB, or 12 TB of storage depending on your plan.

Sometimes, the most common culprit is also the simplest: a poor internet connection. Backup procedures won’t work correctly if your phone can’t maintain a stable connection. Double-check your Wi-Fi settings and ensure you have a strong signal before attempting an iPhone backup.

Lastly, if this is your first time going through the iCloud backup process, understand that it will take significantly longer than future backups. This is especially true if you enable automatic iCloud backups or back up while your device is on standby. Subsequent backups are incremental, meaning only new or changed data is uploaded, which speeds things up considerably. If you’re also dealing with other software issues, check out our guide to common iOS problems and how to fix them.

‘This iPhone cannot be backed up because there is not enough iCloud storage’

Sometimes, an iPhone backup will require more space than you have available in iCloud. If you receive an alert saying there isn’t enough available storage, tap the alert for more detailed information before taking any action.

In iOS or iPadOS, go to Settings, tap your name, then select Manage Account Storage or Manage Storage. From here, you can see exactly how much iCloud space you’ve used and how much remains available for your next backup.

It’s worth knowing that Apple gives every user 5 GB of free iCloud storage by default. Depending on your device and how much data you’ve accumulated, a typical iCloud backup can range anywhere from 1 GB to over 100 GB, so that free tier fills up quickly – especially since backups include app data (though not the apps themselves, a behavior that has been consistent since iOS 9).

If you’re running low, you have a few options:

• Upgrade your storage plan. iCloud+ paid plans are available at 50 GB, 200 GB, 2 TB, 6 TB, or 12 TB, giving you much more room to work with.
• Free up space. Delete old backups, remove large files, or offload apps you no longer use to reduce your next backup size.
• Back up to your computer instead. Using a Mac or PC to back up your iPhone via Finder or iTunes bypasses iCloud storage limits entirely.

To check your projected backup size, go to Settings → Your Name → iCloud → iCloud Backup and review the Backup Size listed there. This gives you a clear picture of whether your available iCloud storage is sufficient before you begin.

One important note: iCloud backups are retained for 180 days after you disable or stop using iCloud Backup, and if you’re switching to a new device, Apple provides a 21-day window to restore a temporary backup before it’s permanently deleted – so don’t delay if you’re mid-transition.

Selectively back up iPhone data to your computer

On iOS 9 or later, you can choose which apps do and don’t save backup data to iCloud. To start, go to the Settings menu, tap your name, then tap iCloud. From here, go to Manage Storage, followed by Backups.

Choose the device you want to selectively back up. You’ll see a list of apps under Choose Data to Back Up. From here, you can toggle individual apps on or off to control which ones are included in your backup. Keep in mind that since iOS 9, backups include user data from apps but not the apps themselves, so your actual app files won’t take up backup space.

It’s worth noting that iCloud gives every user 5 GB of free storage by default, and a typical iCloud backup can range anywhere from 1 GB to over 100 GB depending on how much data is stored on your device. If you’re running low on space, selectively disabling app backups is a great way to keep your backup size manageable. If you need more room, paid iCloud+ plans are available with 50 GB, 200 GB, 2 TB, 6 TB, or 12 TB of storage.

One more thing to keep in mind: iCloud backups are retained for 180 days after you disable or stop using iCloud Backup, so you won’t lose your data immediately if you switch things up. And if you’re switching to a new device, Apple gives you 21 days to restore a temporary backup before it’s permanently deleted.

Back up iPhone using iTunes

iTunes automatically creates a backup whenever you connect your device to a compatible computer. However, it’s worth noting that iTunes is no longer available on macOS Catalina (10.15) and later – Apple replaced it with the Finder app for managing and backing up your iPhone on Mac. iTunes is still available on Windows.

On a Windows PC, start by connecting your device via USB. Open iTunes, then click the Device button in the top left of the application screen. Select Summary, then click Back Up Now under the Backups section.

On a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, connect your iPhone via USB and open Finder. Select your device from the left-hand sidebar, click the General tab, and then click Back Up Now.

To encrypt your backup on either platform, check the box for Encrypt local backup, create a strong password, and confirm it. Encrypted backups include additional sensitive data such as saved passwords, Health data, and Wi-Fi settings that unencrypted backups leave out – making this option well worth enabling.

Local backups like these are a smart alternative if you’re running low on iCloud storage, since iCloud only offers 5 GB of free storage by default. Paid iCloud+ plans start at 50 GB and go up to 12 TB, but a local backup costs nothing and can store far more data without hitting a storage cap. If you’re weighing whether to upgrade your device or explore other phone plan options, keeping regular local backups ensures your data is always ready to transfer.

Back up using Finder on an Apple Mac

If you didn’t already know, you can back up your iPhone directly to your Apple Mac using the Finder window. First, connect your iPhone to your Mac with the appropriate cable. If you’re using a newer iPhone, this will be a USB-C cable, while older models use a Lightning cable. Once connected, select your iPhone from the Finder sidebar on your Mac.

To use Finder to back up your iPhone, your Mac needs to be running macOS Catalina (10.15) or newer. If your Mac is running an older version of macOS, you’ll need to use iTunes to back up your iPhone instead.

At the top of the Finder window, click General. Then, select “Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.”

If you want to keep your backup data secure, select “Encrypt Local Backup” to password-protect your backup file. Once you’re ready, click Back Up Now and wait for the process to complete.

It’s worth noting that a local Mac backup is a great alternative if you’re running low on iCloud storage. iCloud only provides 5 GB of free storage, and depending on how much data is on your device, a typical iCloud backup can range anywhere from 1 GB to well over 100 GB. Backing up to your Mac avoids that limitation entirely and keeps a full copy of your data stored locally.

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