iCloud backup is convenient but it depends on Apple servers being available, your account being in good standing, and you paying for enough storage. A local backup to your computer is faster, fully under your control, and free. I recommend everyone do both.
This guide covers backing up iPhone to PC or Mac without using iCloud, the encryption options, what gets included, and how to restore from the backup later.
Back up iPhone to Mac
On macOS Catalina and later, iTunes is gone. iPhone backup happens through Finder.
Connect iPhone to Mac with a Lightning or USB-C cable. Open Finder. Your iPhone appears in the sidebar under Locations.
Click the iPhone in the sidebar. The General tab shows backup options. Pick Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.
Check Encrypt local backup. This is important because encrypted backups include health data, saved passwords, WiFi settings, and call history. Without encryption, those get skipped.
Set a password you will remember. Without this password, the backup is unrecoverable. Write it down somewhere safe.
Click Back Up Now. The backup takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on iPhone storage used.
Back up iPhone to Windows PC
Windows still uses iTunes for iPhone backup. Microsoft has a newer Apple Devices app that works similarly. Either tool works.
Download Apple Devices from the Microsoft Store. Or download iTunes from apple.com. Install. Open the app.
Connect iPhone via cable. Trust the computer if prompted. The iPhone appears in the app. Click the iPhone icon. Click Summary.
Under Backups, pick This computer. Check Encrypt local backup. Set a password. Click Back Up Now.
Same encryption rules apply. Encrypted backups include everything, unencrypted skip sensitive data.
What gets included in the backup
- App data and settings
- Home screen layout
- Photos and videos (if iCloud Photos is off)
- iMessage history
- Call history
- Contacts and calendars
- Health data (encrypted only)
- Saved WiFi passwords (encrypted only)
- Apple Pay cards (encrypted only)
- Saved Safari bookmarks and history
What does NOT get included, content from iTunes or App Store (those redownload), photos already in iCloud Photos (those sync from cloud), Face ID or Touch ID settings (those are device specific).
Where the backup gets saved
On Mac, backups go to ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/. Each backup is a folder with a long random name.
On Windows, backups go to %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\ or in the Apple Devices app folder for the newer tool.
Backups are big. A 256 GB iPhone with heavy use creates a 100+ GB backup. Make sure your computer has space before starting.
Move backup to external drive
If your computer is low on space, you can move backups to an external drive. The process differs between Mac and Windows.
On Mac, the cleanest way is to use a symbolic link. Move the Backup folder to your external drive. Create a symlink at the original location pointing to the new location. Finder treats it as if the backup is still in the original spot.
Specific terminal command, ln -s /Volumes/ExternalDrive/Backup ~/Library/Application\ Support/MobileSync/Backup
On Windows, similar process using mklink command. Apps like iMazing also handle this automatically with a GUI.
Restore from backup
Set up your iPhone like new (after a reset or on a new device). At the setup screen, choose Restore from Mac or PC. Connect to the same computer.
Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes/Apple Devices (Windows). Click your iPhone. Click Restore Backup. Pick the backup file from the list. Enter the encryption password.
The restore takes 30 to 90 minutes depending on backup size. Apps and content redownload after the basic restore finishes.
Backup frequency recommendation
For active iPhone users, back up weekly. The process takes 20 minutes including wait time. Worth it for the protection.
For casual users, monthly backups are fine. Set a calendar reminder for the first Saturday of each month.
Combine local backup with iCloud backup for full protection. iCloud handles daily automatic backups. Local handles complete encrypted snapshots when you want full control.
When local backup matters most
- Before iOS updates, in case the update fails
- Before selling or trading in the iPhone
- Before passing iPhone to family member
- When you have limited iCloud storage
- When you need to migrate to a new iPhone
- For privacy reasons (data stays on your computer)
Every Apple Store visit for a new iPhone, the technicians ask if you have a backup. Local backup means yes, always.
When was your last local iPhone backup? Drop a comment if you do it regularly or if this whole guide is news to you.