iCloud backups are convenient, but a backup on your own computer is free, fast and does not depend on how much iCloud storage you pay for. A local backup also lets you restore your iPhone quickly when you buy a new phone or after a problem. This guide shows exactly how to back up an iPhone to a computer on both Windows and Mac, how to encrypt the backup, where the files are stored and how to fix common errors.
iCloud backup vs computer backup
| Feature | Computer backup | iCloud backup |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | 5 GB free, then monthly plan |
| Speed | Fast over cable | Depends on internet speed |
| Automatic | Only when connected | Daily when charging on WiFi |
| Storage limit | Your computer’s free space | Your iCloud plan |
| Includes health and passwords | Only if encrypted | Yes |
| Works offline | Yes | No |
The best approach is to use both: iCloud for automatic daily backups and a computer backup before big changes such as an iOS update or switching phones.
What you need
- Your iPhone and its USB or USB-C cable
- A Mac with macOS Catalina or later, or a Windows 10 or 11 PC
- The Apple Devices app (Windows 11) or iTunes (older Windows) from the Microsoft Store
- Enough free space on your computer, roughly the amount of used storage on your iPhone
How to back up iPhone to a Mac
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac with a cable.
- Unlock your iPhone and tap Trust if asked, then enter your passcode.
- Open Finder and select your iPhone in the sidebar under Locations.
- In the General tab, choose Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.
- Tick Encrypt local backup and create a password you will remember.
- Click Back Up Now.
- Wait until the progress indicator finishes. You can see the time of the latest backup under Last backup to this Mac.
How to back up iPhone to a Windows PC
- Install the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store. On older systems, install iTunes instead.
- Connect your iPhone with a cable, unlock it and tap Trust.
- Open Apple Devices and select your iPhone in the sidebar.
- Under General, choose Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this computer.
- Tick Encrypt local backup and set a password.
- Click Back Up Now and wait for it to finish.
In iTunes, click the small phone icon near the top left, go to Summary, choose This Computer under Backups, tick Encrypt local backup and click Back Up Now.
Why you should encrypt your backup
An encrypted backup includes data that a normal backup skips:
- Saved passwords and Keychain data
- WiFi settings
- Website history
- Health and Activity data
- Call history
Without encryption, you will need to log in again to many apps after restoring and you may lose health data. Do not forget the encryption password. Apple cannot recover it, and without it you cannot use the backup.
Where are iPhone backups stored?
| Computer | Backup location |
|---|---|
| Mac | ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup |
| Windows (Apple Devices or Store iTunes) | C:\Users\YourName\Apple\MobileSync\Backup |
| Windows (older iTunes) | C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup |
Do not rename, move or edit files inside a backup folder, because that can corrupt it. To manage backups on a Mac, click Manage Backups in Finder.
How to restore iPhone from a computer backup
- Connect the iPhone to the computer used for the backup.
- Open Finder or Apple Devices and select the iPhone.
- Click Restore Backup and choose the most recent backup.
- Enter the encryption password if asked.
- Keep the iPhone connected until it restarts and syncs.
If you are restoring onto a new iPhone, turn off Find My on the new device first if prompted.
Frequently asked questions
Can I back up my iPhone to a computer without iTunes?
Yes. Macs use Finder, and Windows 11 uses the Apple Devices app.
How long does an iPhone backup take?
Usually 10 to 40 minutes, depending on how much data you have.
Does a computer backup include photos?
Yes, unless iCloud Photos is turned on, in which case photos stored in iCloud are not included.
Can I back up over WiFi?
Yes, after enabling Show this iPhone when on WiFi in Finder or Apple Devices, but cable is faster.
How to back up only photos and videos to a computer
Sometimes you just want your photos off the phone to free up space. A full backup is not the right tool for that because it stores photos inside a database you cannot browse. Instead:
On Windows:
- Connect the iPhone and tap Trust.
- Open the Photos app on Windows and click Import, or open File Explorer, click Apple iPhone, then Internal Storage, DCIM.
- Copy the folders to your PC or an external drive.
On Mac:
- Connect the iPhone.
- Open the Photos app and select your iPhone in the sidebar.
- Click Import All New Items, or open Image Capture to choose a folder.
Tip: If photos appear as HEIC files that will not open on older Windows software, go to Settings, Photos, Transfer to Mac or PC on the iPhone and choose Automatic so they convert to JPG during transfer.
Common iPhone backup errors and fixes
| Error | What it means | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone not showing on computer | Cable, trust or driver issue | Use an Apple-certified cable, tap Trust, update Apple Devices or iTunes |
| Not enough free space | Computer drive is full | Delete files or move the backup folder to a larger drive |
| Backup session failed | Interrupted connection | Restart both devices, try another USB port, avoid hubs |
| Backup corrupt or not compatible | Damaged backup files | Delete the old backup in Manage Backups and create a new one |
| Forgot encryption password | Cannot access backup | Reset All Settings on iPhone to remove the password, then make a new backup |
| Stuck at estimating time | Large data or sync conflict | Leave it for 30 minutes, then restart and retry |
How to back up to an external drive
Many laptops have small drives. You can store backups on an external drive using a symbolic link:
- On Mac, move the existing Backup folder to the external drive, then in Terminal create a link from the old location to the new one with the ln -s command.
- On Windows, move the Backup folder to the external drive and create a junction with mklink /J in an administrator Command Prompt.
Always keep the external drive connected when backing up, otherwise the backup will fail. If this sounds too technical, simply free up space on your computer or use a cloud service for photos.
How often should you back up your iPhone?
| Situation | Recommended backup |
|---|---|
| Normal use | Automatic iCloud backup daily, computer backup monthly |
| Before an iOS update | Fresh computer backup |
| Before trading in or repairing your phone | Encrypted computer backup plus iCloud |
| Before a trip | Quick iCloud or computer backup |
| After a lot of new photos | Import photos to computer or cloud |
Keep your backups safe
A backup on one computer is only as safe as that computer. Keep important photos in at least two places, such as your computer plus an external drive or cloud storage. This is called the 3-2-1 rule: three copies of your data, on two different types of storage, with one copy kept off site. Protect your computer with a strong account password and keep it updated so your iPhone backup stays private.
Real examples
The cracked screen. Ravi dropped his iPhone and the screen stopped responding, but the phone still turned on. Because he had backed it up to his laptop the week before, the repair shop replaced the screen and he restored everything, including his WhatsApp chats and saved passwords, in under an hour.
The full iCloud. Emma kept getting iCloud storage full alerts. Instead of paying for a bigger plan, she started making encrypted backups to her Windows PC every month and imported her photos into a folder on an external drive. She now uses the free 5 GB of iCloud only for contacts and notes.
The forgotten password. Lucas encrypted his backup years ago and forgot the password. He reset all settings on his iPhone, which removed the old backup password without erasing his data, then made a fresh encrypted backup with a new password he saved in a password manager.
Checklist before you trade in or sell your iPhone
- Make a fresh encrypted backup to your computer.
- Confirm the backup appears with today’s date in Manage Backups.
- Sign out of iCloud and turn off Find My.
- Unpair your Apple Watch so its data is backed up too.
- Erase the iPhone in Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Erase All Content and Settings.
- Restore the backup onto your new phone.
The bottom line
To back up your iPhone to a computer, connect it with a cable, open Finder on Mac or Apple Devices on Windows, tick Encrypt local backup and click Back Up Now. Keep the password safe and back up before every major update. If your phone has trouble connecting, check how to fix iPhone not charging, and learn how to create a strong password for your backup.