How to Backup your iPhone Before Getting a New One

If you have an iPhone (or iPad) it’s a good practice to get into creating and saving backups from time to time. That way if anything ever goes wrong with your device, you can restore a backup and you won’t lose your data such as contacts, messages, photos and settings. This process is also especially useful if you are about to purchase a new iPhone and want to transfer your data over.

There are a few different methods to choose from when creating a backup.

How to backup your iPhone or iPad using iCloud and Settings

The easiest way to backup your iPhone or iPad is using settings and iCloud. This method saves the backup on your iCloud account and can be accessed remotely so long as you have an internet connection. So, for this method, you will need to stay connected to the internet and have enough storage on your iCloud account.

1. Go to Settings and click on your own name. Then click iCloud.
2. Select iCloud Backup.
3. Select Back Up Now.

You will need to stay connected to the internet until the process is finished. Once completed, you will see the date and time of your last backup.

Set automatic iCloud backups for iPhone or iPad

You can set iCloud to automatically backup your device to take any worries of losing data away.

1. Go to Settings and click on your own name. Click iCloud, then iCloud Backup, then again and toggle on iCloud Backups.

As with above, for automatic backups to run you need an internet connection and enough space on your iCloud account.

How to back up your iPhone or iPad with iTunes

1. Open iTunes on your PC or Mac
2. Plug in your device with a USB cable (you may need to put in your passcode or select to Trust This Computer).
3. Select the little phone or iPad image up the top left.
4. If on a PC you will need to also select Summary.
5. Select Back Up Now.

You may want to encrypt your backup by selecting the checkbox (this is necessary if saving data from your Apple watch). If you do decide to encrypt it be sure to note your password as the backup can’t be recovered without it.

If you plug your iPhone or iPad in and there’s no option to select it you can try these steps from Apple to fix the problem.

Back up iPhone or iPad with Finder

If you are using MacOS Catalina or later, is isn’t possible to use iTunes and you will need to use Finder instead.

1. Open Finder.
2. Plug in your device with a USB cable (you may need to put in your passcode or select to Trust This Computer).
3. Select the little phone or iPad image.
4. Select Back Up Now.

Once the process has finished you will see the date and time of your backup. As above you may wish to encrypt the backup.

Restore iPhone or iPad from a Backup

Once you have saved a backup, you will have the option to restore it in the future, either to your current phone or over to a new one. If you ever have anything go wrong with your phone, this is especially helpful to prevent losing all your data; photos, messages, contacts and settings.

If you have created backups and can’t find them you can try these steps from Apple.

If you are still experiencing problems with creating or restoring a backup and are worried about losing your data, the next step is to find a reputable mobile phone repairer to help. Here at Fix My Mobile, we have completed mobile phone data recovery for many iPhone users so please contact us to discuss your issue.