You should always have backups of your iPhone and iPad data. Let’s look how to do this by backing up to a Mac.
- Connect your device: Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone or iPad to your Mac.
- Open Finder: On your Mac, open a Finder window.
- Select your device: Locate and select your iPhone or iPad under “Locations” in the Finder sidebar.
- Trust the computer (if prompted): If this is your first time connecting, you may need to enter your device passcode to allow the connection and “Trust” the computer.
- Go to General: In the device window, click the “General” tab at the top.
- Start the backup: Select the option to “Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac”.
- Encrypt your backup (optional): For added security, check the box for “Encrypt local backup” and create a strong password to protect sensitive information, such as your passwords and health data.
- Initiate the backup: Click the “Back Up Now” button to start the backup process.
Important Notes
- Finder vs. iTunes: If you’re using macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later, you’ll use Finder for backups. For earlier macOS versions, you’ll use iTunes.
- Backup completion: The backup will take some time, depending on the amount of data. A status bar will show its progress.
- Restoring a backup: Once completed, you can restore your iPhone or iPad from this backup using the same Finder window by clicking the “Restore Backup” button.
