How to back up your iPhone
Two reliable ways to back up an iPhone (iCloud in the background, or a full local backup on a computer) and which one to use.
Last updated 2026-06-12 · 4 minute read · Applies to: iPhone
Every week someone brings us a phone where the data matters more than the device. A backup turns that drama into a shrug. iPhones give you two good options: iCloud (automatic, happens overnight) and a computer backup (free, complete, no subscription). If the phone is already damaged, stop here and read what to do after water damage first. Charging a wet phone makes things worse.
1. Check what iCloud is already doing
Open Settings, tap your name at the top, then iCloud → iCloud Backup. If it's on, the date of the last successful backup is shown right there. If it's recent, you're mostly protected already.
2. Turn on iCloud Backup and run one now
On the same screen, switch Back Up This iPhone on and tap Back Up Now. Stay on Wi-Fi and on charge. The free tier is 5GB, so if you see a storage warning, either buy more storage (about $1.49/month for 50GB) or use the computer method below.
3. Or: back up to a Mac
Plug the iPhone in with a cable. On macOS Catalina or newer, open Finder, click the iPhone in the sidebar, choose Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac, tick Encrypt local backup (this is what saves your passwords and health data), then Back Up Now.
4. Or: back up to a Windows PC
Install the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store (or iTunes on older systems), connect the phone, choose Back up all of the data, and encrypt it. Same result as the Mac method: a complete local copy.
5. Verify it actually worked
iCloud: Settings → your name → iCloud → iCloud Backup shows the time of the last backup. Computer: Finder/Apple Devices shows Manage Backups with a dated entry. A backup you haven't verified is a hope, not a backup.
Warning: If iCloud Photos is on, photos live in iCloud and are *not* inside the iCloud device backup. That's fine, they're still safe, but it means a computer backup alone may not include full-resolution originals. Check Settings → Photos to see which mode you're in.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I back up my iPhone?
With iCloud Backup on, it happens automatically overnight while charging on Wi-Fi. Set and forget. Do a manual backup before any repair, iOS update, or travel.
My iCloud storage is full. Do I have to pay?
No. The computer backup route is free and more complete. iCloud's paid tiers are just more convenient because they're automatic.
Can Geekly back up my phone before a repair?
Yes. Tell us when you book and we'll capture what's needed before any work starts. If a phone won't turn on, data recovery is often still possible. Free assessment first.
Related guides
- How to back up your Android phone — Google One backups, Samsung Smart Switch, and the photo trap that catches most people. A technician's Android backup checklist.
- How to back up your Mac with Time Machine — One external drive and ten minutes of setup gives a MacBook a complete, versioned, automatic backup. Here's the whole process.
- Moving to a new phone: the no-data-left-behind checklist — Transfer day goes wrong in predictable ways: authenticators, WhatsApp, eSIMs. The checklist that gets everything across.
- Dropped your phone in water? Do this now — The first ten minutes decide whether a wet phone survives. Five steps to do immediately, and the rice myth to skip.