iPhone backup - what is it for and how to create a copy. Where is iPhone backup stored?
Backing up smartphone data is necessary so that the user can restore data on a new device in case of loss, sale, or breakdown of the old one. It is recommended to do this procedure when updating the firmware or during recovery, in case a failure occurs.
A lot of user information is stored on mobile gadgets. As a rule, these are photographs, videos, perhaps even documents. Many people use a smartphone for work and if data is destroyed, they can lose important information. Therefore, it is worth creating copies - this is an additional protection of personal or work information from erasure.
There are two ways to back up your iPhone. Using the iTunes program and using iCloud cloud storage. If the user chooses the first path, then he will need to connect the smartphone to the computer. The second method allows you to copy directly from the device.
We use cloud storage
To carry out the procedure, you will need an Internet connection with a high signal level. Connect the Internet on your smartphone via Wi-Fi. Click on the “gear” icon on the working display. Next, click on the “user name” and go to the “iCloud” section. For older versions of the operating system (below 10.2), in the settings section, scroll down the page and go to the “iCloud” subsection.
In the working window, set the toggle switch to the active position next to the “backup copy” column. Look a little lower and click “make a copy.” The Internet must be working during the procedure. To check whether the procedure was performed correctly, go to the “iCloud storage” subsection “, which is located in the “iCloud” section. Next, go to “storage management”. Enter the name of your gadget here. If the copy is created successfully, it will be displayed with a stamp indicating the size and time it was created.
The copying process can be made automatic. To do this, activate the copy toggle switch and connect the gadget to the charger. Connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi and block the device display. If there is enough space for data in the cloud storage, the information will be copied. When registering in the cloud, the user is given 5 GB free of charge.
How to back up an iPhone in iTunes?
To copy data through iTunes, you will need to be connected to a computer. Connect the gadget to the PC using a USB cable and launch the program if it does not open automatically. If the program displays any prompt, follow the instructions. In the list of “devices”, indicate the active gadget. In order not to lose statistics from the “activity” and “health” applications, the user must encrypt the information.
To encrypt, check the box next to “i-device backup encryption.” Enter an easy-to-remember password, or better yet, write it down on a piece of paper and put it in a safe place. If you lose the code, you will not be able to recover data from this copy. If there is no need to save the statistics of these applications, then do the following: click on the “create a copy” button. An iPhone backup will be created without encryption.
When copying, the Internet signal must be high. To check whether the process completed successfully, go to the “settings” menu item. Next, click “devices.” The window will display a file with the name of the gadget, with the date and time of creation. If the copy being created is encrypted, a small padlock will appear next to it after copying.
What are the copies stored?
The described methods for creating copies are slightly different from each other. So, using the iTunes program, the user saves everything that is stored in the “camera roll”, all contacts, messages. A list of call history and bookmarks for the Safari browser that were open at the time of copying the page are saved. Recordings from the voice recorder, mail account, and all device settings will be saved. Data from the calendar and notes will be recorded. Network settings (Wi-Fi passwords) and keychains will be saved. Applications installed by the user will not be saved. If you use the cloud, you can save less data. Limited copy - settings and data stored on the device. Everything that is stored in the cloud will not be copied.
Recovery process
We recover information in two ways. The first is to use iTunes. Connect the gadget to a PC on which you have a backup copy of your data. After launching the program, click on the device icon in the upper corner of the window. In the right area of the window, click on the “restore from copy” button. Wait for the process to complete.
The second method is to use cloud storage where the required file is available. There are two ways to proceed here:
1 Restoration occurs on a new device. When you launch the gadget for the first time, a display with “i-device settings” will open. Click on the “cloud recovery” option. Specify the desired file (from the latest ones) and enter the secret code for your Apple ID account. 2 Restoration occurs on the “used” smartphone. Open the “reset” subsection of the “basic” section, which is located in the “gear” icon. In the list provided, click “erase content and settings.” After cleaning, the gadget will automatically reboot; after its completion, the “i-device settings” window will be displayed. Then proceed as described in the first method.How to delete a backup from iTunes?
It's easy to delete unnecessary files. To do this, go to iTunes and select “devices”. Specify the active gadget. A list of files will be displayed in the window on the right. Select the one you need from the list, highlight and click on the “Delete backup” button. Ready. Now you know how to delete a backup using iTunes.
You can delete an unnecessary file from the storage in the following way: click on the “gear” icon. Click on the name of the gadget, then click on the “iCloud” section. Now open the “storage” subsection, and in it “storage management”. Click on the name of the gadget, a copy of the information of which will no longer be needed, click “delete”.
As employees of many Apple equipment service centers say: “There are users who do not yet make backup copies, and those who already do.” This is the whole essence of this procedure. A person who has never encountered the problem of losing or breaking down his smartphone does not understand why this function is needed. For others, it is safety first and foremost. After all, by going through a simple procedure, which also does not take a long time, you will protect yourself and in case of trouble you will be able to restore all the necessary data.
Today we will talk about how to create a backup on iPhone 5, 5s and 6 in iCloud and iTunes, talk about the pros and cons of different methods, and also give useful tips and instructions.
Definition
For those who are not yet familiar with this procedure, let's start with the concept.
The backup duplicate on devices from the Cupertino company is a massive archive that contains all user information in encrypted form. This archive is stored on the device or in the cloud.
The methodology for organizing such a service differs in the following components:
Location. It can be located both on the gadget itself and in the online service.
It is worth noting that such a backup does not contain all the information that is located on your device. Otherwise, the process would take several times longer and take up a lot of space. Depending on the type, the file contains a different set of information.
Creating an iPhone backup: contents
Let's consider what data will be stored and, in case of loss or failure of your device, it can be restored:
- Contents of the “Photo” section. This includes both pictures you took and screenshots, downloaded pictures and videos.
- Notes. Also note that this application on your phone has the function of storing the file in the cloud. This way, you will have access to the recorded materials even without a backup.
- Contacts and outgoing, missed and received calls.
- Mailbox and account adjustments.
- All files from Safari, including bookmarks, passwords, browsing history and cookie elements.
- Markings made in the Calendar application.
- All materials located in “Messages”. You will have access to iMessage, SMS, MMS and other attachments.
- Autofill information for web pages.
- Audio files recorded using a standard voice recorder.
- Network settings, VPN and wireless passwords.
- Information about installed applications and games, as well as payment information.
- In-app purchases.
- Wallpaper on both the main and lock screens.
- Search queries, bookmarks and search history in Maps.
- Paired units via Bluetooth.
- Options and settings for all previously installed applications.
Although this method of being able to restore or roll back Apple products preserves most of the information, some information will still be lost.
iPhone backup: what is not included in the iTunes backup file
Among such data are:
- Downloaded music from Apple Music or iTunes. Please note that information about purchases is saved; only the objects themselves will not be restored. This means that you will be able to download audio without paying again.
- Applications and games. As in the first case, you only need to download previously installed programs.
- Fingerprints from the TouchID section.
- NFC chip data. You'll have to re-link your credit or debit card to ApplePay.
- Photos stored in the Cupertino cloud service.
- Information from "Health". The walking distance cannot be saved either.
iTunes provides the most extensive functions for further device recovery. iCloud stores less information, but for the average user this will be more than enough.
iPhone backup on Mac OS: what iCloud does not store
The cloud service does not involve storing the following:
- Information stored in third party online services.
- Touch ID adjustments.
- Information about paired cards.
- All data not downloaded from the AppStore, iTunes or iBooks. Information from these services will also be deleted, but they can be quickly downloaded.
How to Backup iOS iPhone 6 to iCloud or iTunes
There are two or three ways to backup your Apple phone:
- On a personal computer using proprietary software.
- Directly on the device itself, using cloud storage.
- On a PC using third-party software.
How to Backup iPhone 6 Using iTunes
Let's talk about the features of this method of saving files:
- Created using a PC running Windows or Mac OS in the appropriate program.
- There is a password function. This way you will protect yourself and prevent strangers or hackers from getting to your personal information.
- The process begins on its own if you restore your smartphone or update the operating system.
- To restore or roll back your phone you will need to connect to a computer.
Now let's look at what is needed to perform such an operation.
How to backup your iPhone using iTunes
To do this, you will need to follow the instructions provided.
- Go to the manufacturer's website, download and install the software.
- Open the program, then connect your smartphone using a USB cable.
- A phone icon will appear in the upper left corner, click on it.
- Find the “Create a copy now” button and click on it.
- After the process is completed, open the section with the latest copies and check for the latest version.
To get detailed information about the file, go to the "Devices" section.
Back up iPhone to iCloud: features
Let's look at the nuances of such a backup:
- The process is performed directly on the device itself.
- Stored in the Apple cloud service.
- Can be performed either automatically or manually.
- No PC pairing required for recovery.
How to backup iPhone to iCloud
To do this you need to follow the following instructions:
- Create an AppleID account. For all owners of smartphones from the Cupertino company, this procedure is free.
- Connect a cloud service. In basic mode, you will have five gigabytes of free space available to you. This is enough to store backup files.
- Connect to a wireless network. Otherwise, the system will not be able to complete the procedure.
- Go to the settings of your smartphone and open the iCloud tab.
- Activate backup mode.
- Click on the button that appears for the system to begin the process.
If you can't complete the last step, you're using cellular data. Connect your phone to WiFi to complete the instructions.
How to create a backup on iPhone using third-party software
Let's consider a similar method using the iMazing application as an example. Let us immediately note that the copies obtained in this program are compatible with the analogue from the manufacturer. This way, you can easily use the resulting file to restore your iPhone using iTunes.
Follow the instructions to create a backup:
- Download the utility.
- Connect your smartphone to your computer via a USB cable.
- Open iMazing.
- Allow PC access to your phone.
- Select your unit on the left side of the menu.
- Click on the “Create a copy” button.
- Next, you will be asked to create a full-fledged array, which can later be exported to licensed software, or a single-file analogue.
- Confirm your intention.
After this, the copying process will begin. It is worth noting that the operating speed of this software is sometimes even higher than that of its licensed counterpart. For example, a backup of an iPhone 5s with 16 gigabytes of preinstalled memory takes about 60 seconds.
If you want your copies to be created automatically, select the appropriate item in the menu. The program will make a backup every time you connect your phone to your PC.
How to set up automatic backup on iPhone
If you enable the backup option using Apple's cloud storage, the process will be performed independently every day.
The service will start as soon as you lock your phone at night and will go quickly. In the morning you will already have a smartphone with saved data.
Manage files in cloud copy
To make changes to an existing version of the file, you need to follow the following instructions:
- Go to settings.
- Open iCloud.
- Proceed to the “Storage” tab.
- Next, go to the management department, backups section.
The resulting information will display the following data:
- Accurate information about the date of creation.
- Array size in giga or megabytes.
- Adjustments for copying applications and games installed on the phone.
How to deactivate copying of an individual program
To do this, you should follow the suggested instructions:
- Go to the same address that was described in the previous section.
- Click on the "Show all programs" button.
- Select the required software.
- To the right of the name, move the slider to the left.
- Confirm.
After this, the program will no longer be saved and you will not have the opportunity to restore it if the device breaks down or is lost.
If you need this application and its data in the future, repeat the instructions, only at the end move the slider to the right.
How to delete a backup from iTunes
To free up space for your computer, or if you no longer need the backup array, you can uninstall it. To do this:
- Open the program.
- Go to the "Edit" item.
- Proceed to settings, section “Devices”.
- Click on the required file with the mouse.
- A delete button will appear at the bottom, click on it.
- After confirmation, the array will be successfully deleted.
Removing a copy from iCloud
To do this:
- Through the settings, go to the storage management of your cloud service.
- Scroll down the page and find the “Delete” button.
- Confirm your intention.
Today in the article we told you how to make a backup on an iPhone, provided detailed instructions and gave useful tips. Perform this procedure regularly and you will be able to access deleted data at any time.
An iPhone backup is a collection of files with all the data stored on the device. Includes photographs, documents, settings, a list of contacts from the phone book and other information important to the user. You can back up your iPhone in different ways, using a computer or without using it.
Creating a backup via iCloud
All users of Apple devices have access to 5 GB of free iCloud storage space. It can be used to backup data. To do this, just enable the appropriate option on your smartphone. Procedure:
- Start your iPhone and connect it to high-speed Wi-Fi, or activate mobile data.
- Open the Settings menu and find the iCloud option here.
- If you are using an iPhone with iOS version 10.3 or older, then you can access the iCloud settings through the menu for managing account settings.
- The “iCloud Backup” option will appear. Move the slider to the right to enable backup creation via Apple cloud storage. A message will appear on the screen saying that when you connect your device to your PC, an iTunes backup will not be created automatically.
- Wait until the iPhone turns on the backup function and transfers all important user information to the cloud. If necessary, charge your iPhone and lock the screen.
If the iPhone has been in use for a long time and a lot of information has accumulated on it, then the free space in iCloud (5 GB) may not be enough. Then the backup will not be created, a notification about this will appear on the screen. In this case, you can purchase a subscription and expand the space available in the cloud or use another method.
Features of backup via iCloud
All Apple devices by default create backups when connected to a charger (if the function is activated in the settings and the iPhone is connected to a wireless network). Other features:
- Media content that has been officially purchased or downloaded will not be copied. But it will be downloaded again from official stores (App Store, iTunes Store, iBookStore, and so on).
- To recover data from iCloud, just connect your iPhone to high-speed Wi-Fi and sign in to your Apple ID account. You don't need a computer for this. Therefore, the method is convenient in cases where you urgently need to recover data from a lost or stolen iPhone.
- Notes, phonebook contacts, calendar and other information are saved automatically (even if backup creation is disabled).
If you wish, you can make a new backup manually. To do this, go to the iCloud settings and select “Create a copy now.” Information about the date the last copy was created will appear below.
If you store a large amount of information on your iPhone, then it is better to use iTunes to create backup copies. This is special software available for free download from the official Apple website. Allows you to backup and restore data from Apple devices, as well as other operations. Procedure:
- Install and run the software on your computer (available for Windows, OS X operating systems).
- Connect your iPhone to your PC using a USB cable and wait until the drivers are downloaded for the device.
- The iTunes home screen will display your connected device, select it.
- Go to the menu on the left. Here, find the “Settings” block and in the list of available ones, click “Browse”.
- A new window will appear on the right. Here in the “Backups” block, check the box next to “This computer” to .
- If you want to move files to iCloud via iTunes, then check the box next to the appropriate item. This will make copies of only important data.
- To set a password for the backup (you will need to enter it when restoring data), check the “Encrypt local copy” box. If the password is lost, you will not be able to use the copy.
- After that, click the “Create a copy now” button. The process of copying information and moving it to the memory of the local computer or to Apple servers will begin. You cannot turn off your iPhone before the data copying is complete.
When the copy is created, the iPhone can be disconnected. After this, the finished file can be used to restore user information on a new device. If you checked the encryption option, you will need to provide a password.
Since all backups created via iTunes are stored only in the PC’s memory, for greater security, copy them to cloud storage or an external drive.
Features of backup via iTunes
If in the process of creating a backup via iTunes, the user uses data encryption, then the following information will be copied along with the rest of the data:
- Medical data.
- Settings from wireless networks (which the user has saved) and passwords in the keychain.
- Browsing log via Safari browser.
By default, the backup copy is saved to the main disk (the one on which the operating system is installed), but if desired, it can be changed in the program settings before creating a backup.
Touch ID, Apple Pay and multimedia settings that are already in the iPad library will not be copied to the local drive of the computer when synchronized via iTunes.
Difference between methods
Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is recommended to back up your data via both iCloud and iTunes. If this is not possible or you do not think that important information is stored on the iPhone, then you can do it in one way. Let's look at the features of each in the table below:
Maximum copy size | Data storage location | Ability to access files from your computer | Availability of Internet connection | Data copy speed | Data encryption | PC connection | Ability to roll back to a previous version of iOS | |
iTunes | Limited by computer capabilities | Local computer on Windows or OS X | Yes | Not required | Depends on the amount of information and PC characteristics | Turned on manually | Required | Eat |
iCloud | 5 GB available for free | Apple Servers | If you have an Internet connection (via a browser) | Necessarily | Depends on the amount of information and Internet connection speed | Automatically | Not required | No |
The applications themselves (licensed copies) downloaded to the iPhone are not copied when creating a backup via iCloud and iTunes, but they will be downloaded automatically through the App Store. The software does not save music, movies and other information, but through iTunes the information can be backed up and quickly transferred to the iPhone manually.
Data backup is available to all owners of iOS devices. If you have disabled automatic backup creation, be sure to synchronize the information via iTunes or iCloud manually. This way you can regain access to all files and documents stored in memory if your iPhone is lost or stolen.
Surely everyone has dealt with the loss of information at least once in their life. There can be many reasons for losing data on a mobile phone - loss, breakdown or theft of the device, careless handling of files or a hard reset. For such situations, Apple has provided a special protection mechanism - creating a backup archive for gadgets based on the iOS operating system.
Using the archive, it will be possible to restore data after resetting all settings
There are two main ways to backup an iPhone - in iCloud or iTunes. They are a directory with files stored on the phone. Thanks to this archive, you can restore information from a memory card in the event of a breakdown or loss of your smartphone. The files are placed in a more secure place - in cloud storage or on a computer, depending on the method of creating the backup. The two different methods are not identical, as each has its own specifics.
To place a backup archive in iCloud, you need to have your iPhone with you and connect to Wi-Fi. Follow the steps below:
- go to “Settings”, then “iCloud”;
- go to “Backup” (depending on the version of the operating system, this section may be called a little differently);
- activate backup if it is not enabled;
- select "Make a copy."
Ready! The information is saved, and in the future you will be able to restore important files if they are lost. It is important not to disconnect from Wi-Fi, otherwise the data will not be able to upload to iCloud. To check the status of their creation, go to “Settings” - “iCloud” - “Storage”. When the data is safely saved, you will notice it in the list of backup copies with a note about the time of their creation and volume.
You can set up automatic backups. To do this, just do not turn off the “Backup” switch. Automatic daily creation of a backup data archive will occur if:
- iPhone is connected to a Wi-Fi network;
- The iPhone is charging;
- iPhone screen is locked;
- there is free space on the cloud.
Thus, in most cases, backup will occur at night, when the gadget is connected to a power source and not in use. The main benefits of cloud backup are:
- free access to 5 GB of space on the cloud (this is enough for 3–7 backup copies, and if you have set up automatic backup, then each new archive will replace the old one);
- encryption of backup information (no one will have access to the data except you);
- the ability to create and restore backup information regardless of your location (anywhere there is Wi-Fi).
Making a copy in iTunes
If you make a backup in iTunes, the data will be created on the computer on which the program is installed. To save an archive with spare files, follow these steps:
- open iTunes and connect the gadget to your computer;
- select “File”, then “Devices” - “Transfer purchases” and wait until synchronization is completed (in Windows OS, hold down the key combination ctrl+B);
- check “Encrypt backup” if you want to save the settings of the “Health” and “Activity” applications;
- Click "Create a copy."
After the process is completed, you can view the created archives by selecting “Settings” - “Devices”. If your information is encrypted, be sure to remember the password or save it in a safe place - without it you will not be able to recover the information.
Benefits of Backing up to iTunes:
- a more complete copy of files and settings than on iCloud;
- the ability to create an unlimited number of archives (depending on the amount of free hard disk space);
- the ability to encrypt information (disabled by default);
- the ability to use backup on a MAC or Windows computer.
What files does the backup include?
All settings and data necessary to restore the iPhone to its original state are saved:
- images and videos;
- notes;
- email account information;
- phone book and call history;
- calendar;
- Safari browser files;
- SMS and MMS messages;
- dictaphone;
- network settings;
- saved passwords;
- documents;
- wallpaper;
- Bluetooth devices.
To save space, files previously uploaded to iCloud or other cloud services are not stored in the cloud. iTunes backup does not create data that is already in the program directory, such as music, photos, and videos.
Alternative ways to reserve information
There are other programs that perform the iPhone backup function. For example, iMazing is a program similar to iTunes, but without the ability to restore the device. It is capable of backing up and saving information on your computer (by the way, iMazing backup data is compatible with iTunes). iMazing is more convenient because it saves one file, while iTunes creates many files at once, encrypted using cryptography. In addition, reservation in iMazing is very fast and takes no more than 1-2 minutes.
To create an archive in iMazing, follow these steps:
- connect iPhone to computer;
- open iMazing;
- allow the application to access files;
- select the device and click “Create a copy”;
- select one of two copy processes;
- wait for the process to complete.
To make sure that the backup is safely saved, open iTunes - “Devices” and check the time when the last archive was created - it will replace the previous ones. You can enable automatic copying by checking the “Automatically create a copy when you connect a gadget” option in iMazing.
What to do if a copy is not created?
This problem may occur when trying to save data to iCloud. There are several ways to solve this problem:
- deleting old reserves (use a computer if necessary);
- login-login to iCloud account;
- reconfiguring the network on iPhone;
- connecting to another Wi-Fi.
Conclusion
If you have valuable and dear information on your phone, then set up a backup, otherwise you risk losing the data stored on the gadget if it breaks or is lost. Set up automatic copying on the cloud if you forget to regularly back up information manually, but remember - there is always a small chance that the copying will occur with an error and you will not be able to restore the data, so it is better to save two copies - both on iTunes and on iCloud, then you You definitely won’t lose the contents of your smartphone. This will also help you out if you forget the password for your Apple ID and thus lose access to iCloud.
Data loss is a fact of life - you drop your iPhone, it falls to the ground and falls into pieces, and chances are you lose most of your data on the device. Luckily, there are services like iCloud that automatically back up the data on your iPhone, making it easy to retrieve it if your phone is broken or damaged.
Unfortunately, this is not the best backup solution, in part because Apple itself is not the best when it comes to cloud services. Security is a big issue with iCloud, and if you want more storage space, it's quite expensive compared to the competition, especially if you have a large library of photos and videos you want to store.
However, there are many other ways to reliably protect your data with backups using several free methods. The first step is to save all data from iPhone to your PC.
How to Backup iPhone to iTunes
To get started, connect your smartphone to your computer and open iTunes. From there, select "Transfer Purchases" under "File". This will keep all the content you purchased through the App Store or iTunes Store on your computer.
Automatic and manual backup
The good news is that every time you connect your smartphone to your computer using a USB cable, the device performs a backup automatically.
There are times when you need to make manual copies to insure yourself. To do this, you just need to right-click in iTunes and select “Backup” from the context menu.
Recovering from an iPhone Backup
If you connect a new, empty iPhone to your computer, iTunes will offer to restore your existing backup to it. You can also restore the copy manually in case you added an application that is causing problems and you want to rollback.
Backup iPhone to Google Drive
Google Drive is a great place to back up large amounts of content, mainly because of the 15GB of free storage you get with your Google account. This is more than enough to store important documents along with a photo library.
First of all, you need to download the Google Drive app for Windows or Mac. You just need to log in with your username and follow the installer’s instructions. You don't need to connect your smartphone, since iTunes has already backed up all your files.
Google Drive isn't a traditional backup service, but it works just as well because it makes it easy to sync files. To do this, find your latest backup and simply transfer it to the Google Drive folder that was automatically created during the installation process. If you have difficulty locating your backup, you can find it using iTunes. In the “Settings” menu, go to “Devices” and right-click on the backup, and then on “Show in folder”.
Keep in mind that if you lose your backup on your computer, you can download an additional copy from Google Drive.
Dropbox and iCloud for backing up files on iPhone and iPad
Google Drive is a great option for those who need a lot of space, but if you don't have a lot of media files, Dropbox and iCloud can offer plenty of space for them. With Dropbox you get 2GB of free space and the setup is very similar to Google Drive as both services work on similar principles.
To do this, go to dropbox.com, register an account, download the correct version for your operating system. As with Google Drive, you can copy your backups to a Dropbox folder, thereby placing them in the cloud.
Dropbox is certainly not for advanced users, but it is a great place to keep a third backup if anything happens to your other two options.
And of course, even if iCloud isn't the best place for a backup, it's good to keep it enabled, as it makes restoring data and apps after a reset an ongoing process. It’s just very difficult to rely on it alone, so you need to have a couple of services for storing backups already made. You can make sure that copies of all files and applications are stored in the cloud by going to “iCloud” in “Settings”.
Hardware for backup from iPhone and iPad
But if you still feel paranoid even after all this, then you can always go the traditional route and back up on hardware such as external hard drives and USB flash drives. But keep in mind that they can also break suddenly.
Conclusion
These days, our data is as important to us as the things around us and it needs to be kept safely on the shelf. Data in the form of text documents, presentations, photographs, videos and other files are very important in our lives, and only after the loss of one or another file do we understand how valuable it was for us, regardless of whether it was a report or a photograph of our child.
Don't let this happen to you.