iPhone provides the option to Backup its Data to iCloud. You can find below the steps to both manually and automatically Backup iPhone to iCloud.
Backup iPhone to iCloud
Apple provides iPhone users with 5 GB Free iCloud Storage, which can be used to automatically backup the essential data on your iPhone to iCloud.
Once Automated iCloud Backups are enabled on iPhone, it will Automatically start backing up its data to iCloud, whenever it is plugged in for charging and connected to WiFi Network.
Apart from Automated iCloud Backups, iCloud also supports manual backups that can be initiated at any time on your device.
Once a manual or automated backup of your device is available on iCloud, it helps in Restoring iPhone Using iCloud Backup.
1. Setup Automated iCloud Backups on iPhone
The easiest way to ensure the security of your data is by setting up Automated iCloud Backups on your device.
Go to Settings > tap on your Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Backup > move the slider next to Backup This iPhone to ON position.
This will setup iPhone to automatically backup its data to your iCloud Account. This happens, whenever iPhone is plugged in for charging and connected to WiFi Network.
2. Manually Backup iPhone to iCloud
If your iPhone is sufficiently charged (60% or more) and connected to WiFi Network, you can initiate a Manual Backup of iPhone at any time on your device.
Go to Settings > tap on your Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Backup > move the slider next to Backup This iPhone to ON position.
After this, tap on Back Up Now option to start the process of backing up your device to iCloud.
What is Included in iCloud Backup?
While both Automated and Manual iCloud Backups are easy to make, you need to be aware that an iCloud Backup is not a complete backup of iPhone.
According to Apple, an iCloud Backup includes only the data available on the local storage of your device and does not include data that is already available on iCloud.
This means a typical iCloud Backup includes Device Settings, App Data, Purchase History, Home Screen Layout, Ringtones and Apple Watch Backups.
Text Messages, Photos and Videos will be included in iCloud Backup, only if iCloud Messages and iCloud Photos (respectively) have not been enabled on your device.
What is Not Included in iCloud Backup?
As you can see from above list, an iCloud Backup does not include Apps, Music, Books, Movies that you may have downloaded to iPhone from App Store, Apple Music and other sources.
You will be able to re-download purchased Apps, iBooks, Movies and Music from iTunes & App Stores. However, you won’t be able to get back Apps, Music and Books downloaded from other sources.
As far as Photos, Videos and iCloud iMessages are concerned, they will be back on your device as soon as iPhone Syncs with iCloud.
Note: If you are looking for a complete backup of iPhone, you can Backup iPhone to Computer using iTunes.
