A complete guide to working with backups on iPhone, iPad, and more. IPhone Backup - Guide to Complete iPhone Backup
The loss or breakdown of a smartphone is a problem associated not only with inevitable financial costs, but also with the loss of a large amount of personal data. It is impossible to restore all the accumulated post factum: the only way to resolve such a situation is to anticipate it.
The two most common ways to back up your iPhone are by using the special features of iTunes and iCloud. Each of them has its own disadvantages and advantages.
What is not included in the saved data
- What's not included in iTunes... With the loss of your phone, you will lose music from the iTunes Store, applications from the Apple Store, as well as music, videos and books downloaded using iTunes (unless you check one important checkbox, see below). You will also have to say goodbye to your Touch ID settings, Apple Pay settings, and data from the Activity, Health, and Keychain Access apps.
- What's not included in iCloud... Previously stored cloud data such as contacts, notes, calendars, and information will be lost. Also, as in the case above, you will have to say goodbye to the ID settings. All data not downloaded from the iTunes Store, Apple Store, or IBooks Store will be lost.
However, in both cases, the basic data will be saved, and you will be the judge of the best option.
Description of systems: features
- The maximum storage capacity (when purchasing a paid subscription) is 2 TB. Most users get along fine with the $ 1 (50 GB) tariff plan.
- Mandatory encryption is performed to enhance security.
- Access to a Wi-Fi network is sufficient to create and use backups.
- No computer connection is required for data recovery.
- Saving in progress iPhone backup to computer(for some it is a plus, for others it is a minus).
- You can enable the encryption function (optional).
- There is no need to pay for additional data volume (free hard disk space is used).
IPhone Backup to iCloud
In the future, backups will be created automatically when the phone is charged and wi-fi is connected.
Recovering from an iCloud backup
To restore data on a new device, you just need to enter your Apple ID and password, after which the last backup saved in the cloud will valiantly migrate to the iPhone. If the device has already been configured, then it will be necessary to erase all the contents - this is the first and mandatory step. After that, follow the instructions that appear (in more detail in the article "") for setting up until the screen "Programs and data" appears; there you need to select "Recover from iCloud copy". Log in and select a suitable backup (note the date and size).
Perhaps, during the copying process, a window will appear about the need to install the current iOS - follow it. Next, you need to log into your Apple ID account, which will allow you to restore all purchased programs and materials. The duration of the procedure varies widely: recovery takes from five minutes to several hours.
IPhone Backup to iTunes
- Connect your mobile device to your computer, then open iTunes and select your device.
- Further, on the tab overview, activate the checkbox this computer.
Then, to create a backup, press create a copy now.
If you want to save your information from the "Health", "Activity" programs, then select the "encrypt backup" option. 
- And one more important point, to save all purchases (music, movies, applications, games), click file>devices>move purchases from iPhone.
After copying is complete, you will be able to see the result of the process on the Browse screen in iTunes.
Data recovery via iTunes
Pay attention to the dates and sizes of the copies. Click "Recover" and wait until the data recovery procedure is completed.
Helpful information
- In iCloud, the stored data can be partly generated by yourself; for example, if necessary, you can turn off the copying of programs that are not particularly important to you (go to the settings of your Apple ID account, select iCloud and in the list of programs using iCloud, turn off unnecessary ones.)
- If your iPhone is connected to power and to a Wi-Fi network, and its screen is locked, iTunes backups are created automatically (when the item is enabled in the settings).
- If iTunes does not see your device, make sure your computer has the latest software; in a critical event, try disconnecting all USB accessories other than the device.
A few words about alternatives and a conclusion
The above methods, based on iTunes and iCloud services, are not the only options for copying information. There are many programs focused on such activities, but in fact they do not surpass the above options. That is why it seems quite natural to "discard" them: we did not analyze such utilities in detail.
In order to ensure the maximum level of reliability, it is recommended to create copies in both iCloud and iTunes - then you can be sure that the information will be saved.
Good luck!
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And Apple developers have foreseen this: any iPhone owner is able to use the backup function and transfer important information to the hard drive of the PC. Initially, backup copies were created exclusively through the program ITunes, but now it has become possible to copy information to the "cloud" iCloud - if you have a fast Wi-Fi connection, this method is even more convenient. The article will tell you how to back up your iPhone via ITunes, Wi-Fi and one of the alternative file managers.
Apple technology is considered reliable, but it does not last forever. It is easy to imagine this situation: the iPhone, which served as a personal assistant in business for years, suddenly went out of order - it just stopped turning on. You can go to the store and buy a new "apple" gadget, but where can you get the information that was stored on the old one - phone numbers of business partners, suppliers, important notes? The answer is obvious: from backup... It is enough to connect a new smartphone to a PC and download a copy - the information will be in place.
The user should be aware that not all information is stored in the backup copy - it includes:
- All photographs.
- Telephone directory plus call history.
- Notes - the content of the application of the same name.
- SMS (including iMessage).
- Calendars and scheduled events.
- Safari information (like bookmarks).
- Audio recordings made with a voice recorder.
- Desktop wallpaper.
- Settings for connecting the gadget to the global network (VPN, wireless access point).
- Application settings and achievements in games.
- The location of the shortcuts on the screen.
Not included in the backup:
- Music and video.
- Games and mobile applications.
Ringtones are only saved in an iCloud backup.
Selecting information to back up due to weight- for example, a telephone directory and notes take up little memory space, but are of undoubted value to the user. Movies and musical compositions weigh a lot, but they can always be downloaded again, so it is impractical to make a backup.
Movies and music albums purchased from the iTunes Store, as well as applications purchased from the App Store, are assigned to a specific Apple ID, so you won't have to buy this data a second time if the gadget is lost or broken.
How to make a backup through iTunes?
Through the program ITunes backup copies are created in this way:
Step 1... Connect the smartphone with a cable to the PC and open ITunes.
Step 2... Go to the device control menu by clicking on the button with the smartphone image.
Step 3... Scroll down to the " Backups"And decide where you want to save the copy - on a PC or in iCloud.
Remember: in iCloud only 5 GB of space is available to you for free. If you intend to make prophylactic copies on a regular basis, it is better to choose a place of preservation " This computer».
Step 4... Encrypt the copy, if you deem it necessary - check the box next to “ Encrypt backup»And enter the password twice.
Then click " Set password».
Step 5... Click " Create a copy now».
Step 6. iTunes will prompt you to transfer applications from the gadget to your library. If you prefer the option " With copies of programs", The process of creating a backup copy will take longer, however, in the future, download the programs again don't have to.
Step 7... Wait for all 4 steps of synchronization to complete. After that, you will see that in the " Latest copies»Is the current date and time, which means that the copy was successful.
Backups on personal computers are stored at the following addresses:
- On Mac - User / Libraries / Application Support / MobileSync / Backup /.
- On Windows 7/8 - Users / AppData / Roaming / Apple Computer / MobileSync / Backup /.
There is another way to create a backup copy - through the menu " File»Select« Devices» — « Create a backup».
With this method, copies are created simultaneously in iCloud and on the hard drive.
How to back up iPhone to iCloud?
To create a backup in iCloud no cable or PC required - just connect to Wi-Fi. A copy is made like this:
Step 1... V " Settings"Find the section" iCloud"And go to it.
Step 2... Scroll down and go to the subsection " Storage and copies».
Step 3... Make sure that there is enough space in the "cloud" for backup - in the block " Place storage", There is an item" Available", Which indicates how much free memory is left.
In our example, 4.5 GB out of 5 GB are free.
Step 4... Find out how much one of your backups weighs approximately. To do this, go to the subsection " Storage"In the block" Storage».
It can be seen that the weight of one copy is 485 MB; about 2 more Mb in iCloud spent on data from instant messengers and wallets. Using simple calculations, we determine that there is enough space in the storage for about 9 more backups. We can also open a ready-made backup and analyze what type of data takes up the most memory.
In our copy, 482 out of 485 MB are occupied by photos... It is necessary to carefully "sort out" the album and leave only the most important pictures - then it will be possible to significantly reduce the weight of one copy. You can exclude photos from the backup altogether - to do this, you need to switch the slider opposite “ camera roll»To the inactive position.
Step 5... If there is enough space in the "cloud", in the block " Backup copy"Activate the toggle switch opposite" Copy to iCloud».
Step 6... A confirmation window will appear - click " OK"; so you confirm that you want to start copying to iCloud.
Step 7... Click " Create a copy"And wait for the process to complete. Rejoice: the backup is ready and saved in the "cloud"!
Field " Create a copy»Will be inactive if the iPhone is not connected to a wireless network.
If there is a shortage of free space in iCloud you can buy it here, in the subsection “ Storage and copies"Via the button" Buy another place».
The prices are very democratic: 50 GB will be available for only 59 rubles a month, and for 1490 rubles as much as 2 TB is an abyss of information!
How to create a backup using the iTools alternative file manager?
Attitude to iTunes users of Apple technology are ambiguous: the official program for transferring files regularly "pleases" with problems and "bugs" and, in addition, is rather difficult to master - new iPhone owners, as a rule, tend to postpone acquaintance with iTunes"On the back burner." However, it is still somehow necessary to download data to the iPhone - many users turn to alternative file managers, which are simpler software. Such programs can do everything they can. iTunes, including - create backup copies.
iTools- the most convenient file manager for iPhone. Thanks to this program, you can make backups absolutely free- for comparison iPhone Backup Extractor(another well-known copy utility) costs $ 25. The advantage iTools front iTunes is that iTools allows you to create backups with video and music files. Download russified iTools can .
Backup via iTools is carried out like this:
Step 1... Connect the iPhone with a cable to the PC and run the utility.
Step 2... Go from the section " Device"In the section" Toolbox».
Step 3... In the block " Data Management"Select the item" Super backup».
Step 4... In the next window, define what data you would like to see in the backup.
iTools does not copy files like, say, notes and browser data.
Check the box you want, then click “ Next».
Step 5... The next window will appear where you can define the path of saving - this is done through the button " Browse". By default, the path is as follows: D: iToolsBackup.
Step 6... Click " Start Backup"- this is how you start the backup process.
If the copy includes only “ Contacts"(As in our case), then its creation will take no more than a second. When saving heavy files (video or music), you will have to wait much longer. Signs of completion of the process - a value of 100% on the right and a check mark on the left.
Step 7... Click " Backup complete”And find the copy in the PC's memory.
If necessary, you can easily erase backups that have lost their relevance.
Erase copies from iCloud and from PC
Delete copies made after ITunes, of course, you can find files on your hard disk, however, it is easier to do this through the program itself.
Step 1... Go to the menu " Edit"And select" Settings»Or press CTRL +, (comma).
Step 2... In the next window go to " Devices».
You will see how many backup copies ITunes stored on the hard disk.
Step 3... Select the unnecessary copy and click on " Delete backup».
Step 4... Confirm that you really want to erase the backup - click " Delete».
Copies will be deleted permanently - you won't find them in the trash!
Erase backup from iCloud as follows:
Step 1... Take your gadget along the path " Settings» — « iCloud» — « Storage and copies"And go to" Storage».
Step 2... Go to " Properties»A copy that is no longer needed.
Step 3... On the next screen, scroll down to find “ Delete copy"And click on it.
Step 4... Confirm that you want to delete the backup data from iCloud and stop backing up.
After that, you will notice that there has been a significant increase in free space in your "cloud".
Why is the backup not being created: possible problems?
When using software tools to create backups, users rarely encounter problems. If you cannot create a backup via ITunes, you need to take two measures: update iTunes to the newest version (if some buttons are grayed out) and check the memory status of the hard disk.
Back up to iCloud- on the contrary, the case is very problematic. If the iPhone says that copying is impossible, proceed as follows:
- Check if there is enough space in the "cloud" to create a backup.
- Check the quality of the Wi-Fi signal using other applications - for example, see how quickly the pictures load “ In contact with". If your download is slow, you might want to look for another Wi-Fi source.
- Sign out of your account iCloud and log back in.
- Delete contained in iCloud backups. How this is done was described earlier.
If there is still no result, reset the settings: follow the path “ Settings» — « The main» — « Reset"And select" Reset all settings". You don't have to worry about personal data and content: after such a reset, they will remain where they were.
A big and inexplicable problem with saving data in iCloud is definitely present on iOS 9th version: backups are not created or deleted! Apple developers are aware of this problem and recommend that users update to at least iOS 9.3 - this is the only solution.
Conclusion
The user should choose the method of data backup based on his own needs and capabilities. For example, if a user wants to create a backup copy of his favorite movies, he has no choice but to start mastering an alternative file manager. iTools... If the USB cable from the iPhone broke long ago and went to waste, the owner of the smartphone does not have to go for a new one - he can create a backup via Wi-Fi.
Each of the methods of creating a backup copy of the iPhone ensures that the user can "resurrect" the most important data, even if the Apple developers emphasize in every possible way that a full copy is obtained only by using iTunes.
Many of you have probably faced the problem of data loss on a mobile device. This can happen due to a glitch or crash, or due to user negligence. The first two options Apple has virtually eliminated. Having more than two years of experience using iOS, I can say that an ordinary user who is not spoiled by tweaks from Cydia and occasionally
puts programs and games on your device, a software failure does not threaten. You can safely refuse any kind of backups and sleep peacefully. But active users more than once regretted that they did not make a backup after unsuccessful experiments.
Backup to iTunes. Many will notice that the regular iTunes has a backup, moreover, it is turned on by default. Yes it is. For more convenience, I recommend that when the device is connected, open the context menu of your device (right-click) and select "Create a copy". In the same way, it will be possible to restore it later.
Apple's version is good, but it only keeps a copy of it. Other applications that were installed via or are not saved. And, of course, they will not be protected. This method is not acceptable to anyone. I offer you the following options for getting a backup:
Saving contacts for devices on iOS 5 using iCloud.
A very simple and most reliable way, which is to sync contacts with a cloud service.
1
... (if you have this account, then skip this point).
2
... Go to iCloud on your iOS device Settings -> iCloud
3
... Activate contact sync using the corresponding Contacts switch.
4
... If your contacts are saved on the SIM card, you can copy them to the device using. If you don't have a digital copy of your contacts, go to the next step.
5
... Go to iCloud.com and enter your Apple ID information.
6
... Go to the Contacts app on iCloud.com. If your contacts were on the phone, they will be automatically copied to your iCloud account (if you have an Internet connection, of course).
7
... Enter your contacts manually (using the + sign) or import (if you have a copy of your contacts in vCard format).
8
... Everything! Now, when you add a contact on the device, it will automatically be synchronized and appear in your iCloud account, but if you add contacts on the iCloud.com website, the contacts will be automatically transferred to your device!
Now your contacts will be safely saved, even if you update your device with a new version of iOS or, God forbid, lose it.
Backup copy (backup) of contacts for devices on firmware below iOS 5. When I was still a user of android devices, I made it a rule to save contacts in my Gmail account. It's very simple and convenient, and most importantly, at the moment, almost all devices on different platforms support synchronization with Gmail. 
A backup copy of applications from Cydia. Our beloved and dear sir has taken care of backing up our tweaks. Like iTunes, Cydia links your account to your device and keeps a list of installed tweaks. To see the list, go to the "Manage Accounts" section and select the "Installable Purchases" item. 
However, Saurik took care of us, and took care of his colleagues - the creators of paid tweaks. By his decision, only tweaks that you purchased are saved in Cydia (you can read about how to buy in Cydia).
Full data backup. Everyone's favorite Cydia has two tweaks, xBackup and PKGBackup. At the moment, these are some of the best solutions for backing up data on iOS. Learn more about PKGBackup. In the tweak settings, there is a choice of backup options. It can be stored locally on your PC or on the program server. You can choose full or partial backup (contacts, settings or applications). 
You can customize the frequency of the procedure. A very convenient function is the ability to link it to your account and save the backup there. There will be enough space if you use ours. Everything looks great, but there is one drawback - the program costs $ 9.99. However, this is not a big price to pay for peace of mind and safety.
xBackup is a cheaper and simpler analogue of PKGBackup. For just $ 1.5, it is capable of basic data backup tasks. The program does not have extensive settings and simply offers to make a backup. After that, all settings and tweaks from Cydia are linked to your iTunes account. After updating the device, you need to recover from its copy, then install xBackup and recover from its copy.
Here are the main options for saving your data from iOS devices, whether to use them or not is up to you. If you use other methods or programs, please write in the comments.
Have you ever experienced a situation when, after losing your phone, you suffered for a long time trying to restore the phone numbers of your friends and acquaintances? Yes-ah ... There was a time when this procedure took a lot of time and effort.
Personally, I additionally kept a paper notebook where I added new contacts. It was my personal wooden "backup storage". But that was in the past ... And today I will tell how to back up your iPhone and what it is.
Ever since Apple donated iCloud to users, backing up an iPhone has become unbearably easy. Now data backup from your phone happens automatically and practically without your participation (you need to configure everything once, of course).
All important information from your iPhone can be stored both on your computer and in the cloud, and you can restore it with one click. Today, we're going to take a look at the two most common ways to back up your iPhone.
Back up iPhone to iTunes
The most comprehensive iPhone (iPad, iPod) backup options are available in iTunes. You can make a copy as follows:
- STEP 1 -Connect your iOS device to your computer using a USB cable.
- STEP 2 -Select the connected device in the top line of the iTunes window.
- STEP 3 -In the right part of the window, select the location of the created copy: iCloud or This computer... If necessary, put a tick in front of Encrypt iPhone backup, but remember that forgetting the password, you can never recover data from this copy.
- STEP 4 -Click the button “ Create a copy now“.
As you might have guessed, a copy can be stored both on a computer and in the iCloud cloud (5GB on Apple servers is provided free of charge). It's up to you which one to choose, but personally, I keep a copy of my iPhone in both places.
IPhone Backup to iCloud
Create a copy if necessary iCloud storage only, you don't have to bother connecting your phone to your computer. It is enough to enable the backup function in the menu Settings> iCloud> Storage & Copies> Copy to iCloud.
After that, a copy will be created automatically every day, but only if your device:
- is in screen lock mode;
- connected to the Internet Wi-Fi connection;
- connected to a power source.
To create a backup copy manually, go to the menu Settings> iCloud> Storage & Copies and select the item Create a copy... Do not forget that for this we will need a Wi-Fi connection to the Internet again.
What information is stored in the backup
Your iOS device stores a ton of information. Depending on the selected backup path (iTunes or iCloud), backups that are slightly different in content will be created.
When you back up your device to your computer using iTunes, you save:
- Images from the "Film" album and wallpaper
- Contacts and call history
- Messages (iMessage, SMS and MMS including pictures and videos)
- Notes (edit)
- Safari bookmarks, cookies, history, offline data, and currently open pages
- Email accounts (messages will not be copied)
- Voice recorder recordings
- App Store program data (except for the program itself and its folders for temporary files and cache)
- Options, settings, and program data, including documents
- In-app purchases
- Game Center account
- Installed profiles
- Calendar events
- Autocomplete for web pages
- Network settings (Wi-Fi hotspot passwords, VPN settings, network settings)
- Home screen layout
- Keychain Access (email account passwords, Wi-Fi passwords, web and app passwords)
- Location service settings
- Maps bookmarks, search history, and current location shown in Maps
- Nike + iPod Saved Workouts and Settings
- Bluetooth devices paired
- Trusted sites that have certificates that cannot be verified
Once again for those who did not read carefully. The iPhone backup (no matter how you create it) will not contain the applications and programs you have installed. Only preferences, options, and in-app purchases for each app you take will be saved. All applications will be re-downloaded from your hard drive or App Store during the device recovery process.
IPhone backup, stored in iCloud, contains less information and will only be limited to the data and settings stored on the device.
Into it NOT INCLUDED Data already stored in iCloud (contacts, calendars, bookmarks, emails, notes, photos, and documents saved to iCloud from Mac and iOS apps).
If you have a desire to dig deeper, and decide for yourself which applications data should be backed up, you can do it here: Settings> iCloud> Storage & Copies> Storage- choose a device.
You will see a list of all installed applications with an indication of the amount of information saved in the copy. Disable programs that are not afraid of data loss (at your discretion).
Where is the iPhone backup stored
When, Apple “ generously endowed“Free 5 GB of iCloud storage and backup space. To be honest, this volume is still enough for me (iPhone 4S + iPad mini 2), despite the fact that I use my devices as an average statistical person.
Most of the backup will consist of the photos and videos you have taken. I do not have the habit of storing pictures taken 2-3 years ago in the iPhone's memory, but periodically. Thus, the phone memory is freed up, and the backups are very democratic in size.
If with iCloud backup everything is somehow virtual, then a copy created on a computer can actually be “felt and touched” on a hard drive. To access the backups stored on your computer, you need to ITunes Preferences select tab Devices.
Depending on the operating system used, the backups are located in the following folders:
- Mac: ~ / Libraries / Application Support / MobileSync / Backup /
The tilde character (~) corresponds to the user's folder. By default, the folder " Library"Is not visible. To display it, click on the top menu Transition and hold down the button Option- the Library link will appear in the menu that opens - Windows XP:\ Documents and Settings \ (username) \ Application Data \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \
- Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8: \ Users \ (username) \ AppData \ Roaming \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \
How to Recover Data on iPhone from Backup
Since an iPhone backup can be stored in different locations, there are many different ways to restore an iPhone. Actually below I also propose them.
Restore from a backup using iTunes (the copy is stored on your computer):
1 Connect your iOS device to the computer you backed up
2 Click on the device icon (should appear at the top of the window)
3 In the right part of the window, click the button " Recover from copy"(See the screen at the beginning of the article)
Restoring from an iCloud backup (the copy is stored in the cloud):
Two situations are possible here:
1 Data is restored on a new device
... When you start the device for the first time, you are taken to the screen " Setting up iPhone (iPad, iPod)". Here you need to select the item " Recover from iCloud copy”, Then select one of the last three backups and enter your Apple ID and password.
2 Data is restored on an already "working" device ... To do this, go to the menu Settings> General> Reset> Erase Content and Settings.
After all data is deleted, the device will reboot and you will be taken back to the iPhone Settings menu. Next, we act as in paragraph 1.
Somehow like this! Back up your iOS devices frequently and be sure to back up your iOS devices in both places (computer and iCloud). I don’t want to upset, but even in this seemingly simple scheme, there are also failures.
There are times when an iPhone backup becomes unavailable in both iTunes and iCloud. Then the trouble ... We will consider this and other problems in a separate article. Don't miss - subscribe to updates. And be sure to share with your friends on social networks.
Well, if you have any difficulties or have a question on the topic, feel free to write in the comments!
This step-by-step guide details how to back up your iPhone to your computer or iCloud, where the backups are stored, how to restore your phone from it, how to delete an unnecessary backup, and some additional information that might be useful. The methods are also suitable for iPad.
An iPhone backup contains almost all of your phone's data, except for Apple Pay and Touch ID settings, data already synced with iCloud (photos, messages, contacts, notes), installed apps. Also, if you create a backup on your computer, but without encryption, it will not contain the Health app data saved in the Password Keychain.
To back up your iPhone to iCloud, follow these simple steps on your phone itself (I recommend using a Wi-Fi connection):
Video instruction
You can use this backup after a factory reset or on a new iPhone: during initial setup, instead of “Set up like a new iPhone”, select “Restore from iCloud Copy”, enter your Apple ID and restore.
If you need to delete a backup from iCloud, you can do this in Settings - your Apple ID - iCloud - Manage storage - Backups.