It is really easy to setup your iPhone or iPad to automatically backup its data to iCloud and also download a complete backup of your iPhone or iPad to Mac or Windows computer.
Backup iPhone and iPad
Over a period of time your iPhone and iPad will end up accumulating tons of Photos, Videos, Messages, Contacts and other data.
All your memories and personal data can be lost, if your device gets damaged, Lost or Stolen and also if the software or the firmware on your device becomes corrupted or damaged.
Hence, there is real need to setup your iPhone or iPad to automatically backup its data to iCloud and also download a complete backup of your device to Mac or Windows computer.
1. Automatically Backup iPhone to iCloud
When you buy a Phone or iPad, Apple provides you with 5 GB of free iCloud Storage Space, which can be used to setup automated backup of your device to iCloud.
You can do this by going to Settings and tapping on your Apple ID Name.
From Apple ID screen, go to iCloud > iCloud Backup and move the slider next to iCloud Backup to ON position.
After this, your iPhone will start automatically backing up all its essential data to iCloud, whenever it is plugged in for charging and connected to WiFi Network.
2. Manually Backup iPhone to iCloud
You can initiate a manual backup of iPhone or iPad to iCloud at any time by going to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tapping on Back Up Now option.
Patiently wait for the Backup process to be completed. Make sure that you do not close your device or interrupt the backup process in any way.
What is Included in iCloud Backup?
According to Apple, an iCloud Backup of iPhone or iPad contains almost all the data that is stored on your device, but it does not include any data that is already available on iCloud.
This clearly means that an iCloud Backup of your iPhone or iPad does not include Apps, Music, iMessages, Health Data, Notes, Contacts, Calendars, Books and iCloud Photos.
All Photos and Videos stored on the physical storage of your iPhone or iPad will be saved and available for restore in an iCloud Backup.
If you are looking for a complete Backup of your iPhone or iPad, you need to download a backup of your device to Mac or computer using iTunes.
3. Download Complete iPhone Backup to Mac
You can download a complete backup of your iPhone or iPad to Mac by using the following steps.
Connect your iPhone to Mac and click on the Finder icon.
Select your iPhone in the left pane. In the right-pane, scroll down to “Backups” section > select Backup all the Data on your iPhone to this Mac option and click on Back Up Now button.
Patiently Wait for the Backup process to be completed. The time to complete the backup will depend on the amount of data available on your iPhone.
4. Download Complete iPhone Backup to Computer
Make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer and follow the steps below to download a complete backup of iPhone or iPad to Windows computer.
Connect iPhone to computer > Launch iTunes (if it does not automatically start) and click on the Phone icon, as it appears in iTunes.
Next, select the Summary tab in left-pane. In the right-pane, scroll down to “Backups” section, select This computer option and click on Back Up Now button.
Once you click on Back Up Now, iTunes will start the process of downloading a complete backup of your device to computer.
Patiently wait for the backup process to be completed. Make sure that you do not pull out iPhone from the computer or interrupt the backup process in any way.
Note: You can check Encrypt iPhone Backup option, if you also want to save Passwords, Health and Activity Data.
If you select Encrypted Backup, you will be prompted to setup a password to access Encrypted Backups.
You need to make sure that you remember and write down this password. You won’t be able to access the Encrypted backup without entering this password.
What is included in iTunes Backup?
An iTunes backup of iPhone that is downloaded to Mac or computer includes almost all the data available on your device, including all Photos, Videos, Messages, Contacts, Calendar, Apps and Health Data.
Apps, Music, Movies, Podcasts, Ringtones and Books are not included in an iTunes Backup as they can be downloaded from the App Store.
However, you can easily transfer items purchased from iTunes and App Store to iPhone or iPad by connecting your device to computer and launching iTunes.
Once iPhone or iPad appears in iTunes, click on File > Devices > Transfer Purchases from iPhone.
All your purchases made from iTunes and the App Store will be transferred to your device.
