Back up your iPhone to your computer using iTunes or Finder

You can back up your iPhone by connecting it to a Mac or Windows computer and using either iTunes (on Windows and older Macs) or Finder (on newer Macs). The backup stores your photos, messages, settings, app data, and other information on your computer so you can restore it later if your phone is lost, damaged, or replaced.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use a Mac or Windows computer, and which version of macOS or iTunes you have. On a Mac running macOS Catalina or newer, you use Finder. On older Macs and all Windows computers, you use iTunes.

Key Takeaways

  • Connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable, then open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) to start the backup process.
  • You may need to unlock your iPhone and tap "Trust" when prompted to allow your computer to access it.
  • Choose "Back Up Now" or a similar button to create a full backup of your device on your computer.
  • Encrypted backups protect your passwords and health data, but you will need to remember the password you set if you want to restore later.
  • A full backup takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is on your phone and how fast your connection is.

How to back up on a Mac with Finder

On a Mac running macOS Catalina (released in 2019) or newer, iTunes was replaced by Finder. To back up your iPhone, plug it into your Mac with a USB cable. Open Finder and look for your iPhone in the sidebar on the left. Click on your device name.

In the main window, you will see a "Back Up" section. Choose "Back Up Now" to create an unencrypted backup, or check the box next to "Encrypt local backup" first if you want to protect passwords and health information. If you choose encryption, create a password you can remember — you will need it to restore the backup later. Click "Back Up Now" and wait for the process to finish.

Finder will show a progress bar. Do not unplug your iPhone until the backup is complete. Once finished, you will see the date and time of your most recent backup displayed in the window.

How to back up on a Windows computer or older Mac with iTunes

On Windows or on a Mac running macOS Mojave or earlier, use iTunes to back up your iPhone. Download iTunes from the Microsoft Store (Windows) or use the version already on your Mac. Plug your iPhone into your computer with a USB cable and open iTunes.

Your iPhone should appear in the top left corner of the iTunes window. Click on it. In the left sidebar, click "Summary." Under the "Backups" section, you will see options to back up to iCloud or to "This Computer." Select "This Computer," then click "Back Up Now."

If you want to encrypt your backup to protect passwords and health data, check the box labeled "Encrypt iPhone backup" before clicking "Back Up Now." Set a password and remember it — you will need it if you restore from this backup. Wait for the backup to complete before unplugging your phone.

What happens if your iPhone asks for permission

When you connect your iPhone to your computer for the first time, your phone may display a message asking whether you trust this computer. Unlock your iPhone and tap "Trust" to allow the connection. Without this step, your computer cannot access your iPhone's data.

If you see a message saying your iPhone is locked or a passcode is required, unlock your iPhone and try again. Your computer needs to communicate with your phone to create the backup.

Encrypted versus unencrypted backups

An unencrypted backup stores most of your data but does not include passwords, health information, or home automation settings. It is faster to create and does not require you to remember a password later.

An encrypted backup includes everything — passwords, health data, home settings, and more. The trade-off is that you must remember the password you set during backup. If you forget it, you cannot restore from that backup. Encrypted backups are more secure if someone gains access to your computer.

How often to back up and where backups are stored

Back up your iPhone whenever you have made changes you would not want to lose — after installing new apps, taking important photos, or changing settings. Many people back up weekly or monthly as a routine.

On a Mac, backups are stored in a folder called "Backups" inside the "Library" folder in your home directory. On Windows, they are stored in a hidden folder at C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup. You do not need to find these folders yourself — Finder or iTunes handles everything.

Each backup takes up space on your computer equal to the amount of data on your iPhone. If your iPhone has 64 GB of data, the backup will use roughly 64 GB of space on your computer. Make sure your computer has enough free storage before backing up.

Restoring from a backup

To restore your iPhone from a backup you created, connect it to the same computer, open Finder or iTunes, and click on your device. Look for a "Restore" button or option. You will be asked to choose which backup to restore from — select the one you want, enter the password if it was encrypted, and wait for the process to complete.

Restoring erases your iPhone and replaces everything with the data from the backup. This is useful if your phone is not working properly, if you are setting up a new iPhone, or if you need to recover data you accidentally deleted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I back up my iPhone without a computer?

Yes. iCloud is Apple's cloud backup service and does not require a computer. You can turn on iCloud backup in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. However, this article covers computer-based backups using iTunes or Finder, which give you a copy stored locally on your device.

Why does my backup take so long?

Backup speed depends on how much data is on your iPhone, how fast your USB cable connection is, and how busy your computer is. Large photo libraries, many apps, and older USB cables all slow the process. A typical backup takes 10 to 30 minutes. Avoid using your computer for other tasks while backing up.

What if I forgot my encrypted backup password?

If you encrypted a backup and forgot the password, you cannot restore from that backup. You can create a new unencrypted backup going forward, or use iCloud backups instead. If you need to restore your iPhone, you will have to set it up as new or use a different backup.

Do I need to back up if I use iCloud?

iCloud backups and computer backups serve the same purpose but store data in different places. iCloud stores your backup on Apple's servers; a computer backup stores it on your device. Using both gives you two copies, which is safer. If you only use iCloud, a computer backup is not necessary.

Can I back up my iPhone to multiple computers?

Yes, but each computer will create its own separate backup. Your iPhone can sync with multiple computers, though Apple recommends using one primary computer to avoid conflicts. Each backup is independent — restoring from one computer's backup will not affect backups on another computer.