Dr.Fone - Phone Backup (iOS)

Dedicated Tool to back up iPhone to Mac

  • Allows previewing iTunes and iCloud backups for free, and selectively restore.
  • Existing data not overwritten after the restoration.
  • Compatible with all iPhone, iPad, iPod touch models (iOS 13 supported).
  • Best alternative to iTunes and iCloud to back up iOS devices locally.
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Tip & Trick for How to Backup iPhone to Mac

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Sep 06, 2023 • Filed to: Backup & Restore Data • Proven solutions

iPhone backup refers to creating a secure copy of data on your iPhone and storing it on a separate device, such as a Mac. Regularly backing up your iPhone ensures the protection and recovery of your data in case of loss, damage, or accidental deletion. Moreover, it grants you the benefits of local storage and control over your backups, enabling easy device migration and seamless upgrades for the future.

Backing up your iPhone to a Mac offers a range of advantages that cannot be ignored. This article will introduce the techniques for backing up an iPhone to a Mac. It will show you different ways of backing up your important files. Without further ado, let's dive right into it!

backing up iphone data

Part 1: 3 Basic Ways To Back Up Your iPhone

There are three basic ways to back up your iPhone on Mac. Each method includes the implementation of a few steps that you can perform on your own. Let's look at them in detail:

With Finder – for MacOS Catalina or Newer

If you have a Mac running MacOS Catalina or later, you can back up your iPhone to your Mac using Finder. The Finder software on your Mac lets you view and manage your files and folders. It can also sync and back up your iOS devices. Let's find out how to back up iPhone on a Mac computer.

Here are the steps for backing up your iPhone to your Mac using Finder:

  • Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cord. Unlock your iPhone and trust your Mac if requested.
  • Step 2: Open Finder on your Mac and choose your iPhone from the Locations sidebar.
  • Step 3: Check the box next to back up all data on your iPhone to this Mac on the General page.
  • Step 4: To begin the backup process, choose Back Up Now.

back up now

With iTunes -– for MacOS Mojave or earlier

If you have a Mac running MacOS Mojave or earlier, you can back up your iPhone to your Mac using iTunes. iTunes is the program on your Mac that allows you to play and manage your music and media. It can also sync and back up your iOS devices. Let's find out how to back up iPhone on a Mac with iTunes.

Here are the procedures for backing up your iPhone to your Mac using iTunes:

  • Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cord. Unlock your iPhone and trust your Mac if requested.
  • Step 2: Launch iTunes on your Mac and choose the iPhone icon in the upper left corner of the window.
  • Step 3: In the sidebar, select Summary, and then click Back Up Now under Manually Back Up and Restore.

back up now

With iCloud

You can back up your iPhone to iCloud without a cable or a computer. Apple's cloud service, iCloud, allows you to store and access your data across all your devices. You can back up your iPhone wirelessly using iCloud. The following are the steps for backing up your iPhone to iCloud:

  • Step 1: On your iPhone, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and enable iCloud Backup.
  • Step 2: To begin the backup process, choose Back Up Now. You can also check when your most recent backup was finished.

icloud backup

Part 2: How To Backup iPhone to Mac Using a Reliable Third-Party Tool

Using a reliable third-party tool to back up your iPhone data to a Mac can add a layer of convenience and security.Wondershare Dr.Fone is an excellent option for ensuring the safety of your data during the backup procedure. This powerful software provides an intuitive interface and a comprehensive set of features for backing up your iPhone easily.

Dr.Fone enables you to create a backup of your iPhone's data, including contacts, messages, photographs, and videos. With its user-friendly interface, you can quickly select the data you wish to back up and select the backup location on your Mac.

Key Features of Dr.Fone

Here are the most prominent highlights of Dr.Fone – Phone Backup feature:

  • Preview and export the desired backup items to your Mac
  • Can back up iPhone contacts, messages, photos, videos, and more
  • Compatible with almost all iOS devices
  • No data lost during the restoration process

Pros

  • Users can directly view backup files
  • Offers a user-friendly experience
  • Protects transferred files

Cons

  • Users can't skip downloading the tool on iOS devices

Steps To Back Up Using Dr.Fone – Phone Backup

Follow the below steps to back up your important files on iPhone to Mac using Dr.Fone – Phone Backup.

  • Step 1: Download and launch Dr.Fone. Navigate to the My Backup section on the left interface. Click the Back Up Now icon to begin manually saving up your iDevice.

phone backup

  • Step 2: Dr.Fone will automatically detect and back up the file types on your device. Wait until all data has been stored on the platform. Click Cancel if you wish to cancel the process.

click the backup icon

Note: Please do not disconnect your device while Dr.Fone backs up your iPhone data. The process will take several minutes.

  • Step 3: The prompt window displays all backup information once the restore process is complete. Continue clicking the View Backups icon to view the Dr. Fone-created backups. Open in Folder button can also navigate to the folder containing the backup.
  • Step 4: After transferring iPhone backup files to a Mac, you can immediately access them on your computer.

accessing backed-up files

safe Downloadsafe & secure

Part 3: Restore the Backup to Your iPhone

Sometimes, you might need to restore your iPhone from a Mac backup. This can occur if you misplace your iPhone, get a new one, or need to repair your current device. Restoring your iPhone from a backup allows you to recover all your data and settings without losing anything crucial.

How To Restore an iPhone Backup From Mac

You must first have an iPhone backup to restore your iPhone from a backup on your Mac. As previously explained, you can create a backup using Finder, iTunes, or iCloud.

Once you have a backup, you can restore your iPhone using the following steps:

  • Step 1a: If you have a Mac running MacOS Catalina or later, launch Finder and select your iPhone under Locations in the sidebar.
  • Step 1b: If you have a Mac running MacOS Mojave or an earlier version, launch iTunes and select the iPhone icon in the window's upper-left corner.
  • Step 2: Select the Finder > General or the Summary tab in iTunes, then select Restore Backup under Manually Backup and Restore.

restoring a backup

  • Step 3: Select the backup you want to restore from the drop-down menu. If the backup is encrypted, input the specified password when creating it.
  • Step 4: Click the Restore button and wait for the procedure to finish. The iPhone will restart and synchronize with the Mac.

Transfer Data From iPhone to iPhone

Apple's ecosystem facilitates the transmission of data between iPhones. You can transfer data using iCloud, iTunes, or a USB cable. You can use iCloud to back up your iPhone and restore it to a different iPhone.

Follow these steps to transfer data from one iPhone to another using iCloud:

Note: Ensure that both iPhones are enrolled into the same iCloud account.

  • Step 1: Launch the iCloud Backup on your old iPhone by navigating to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
  • Step 2: Tap Backup Now and wait for the backup to finish.
  • Step 3: Turn on your new iPhone and follow the instructions on-screen until you reach the Apps & Data interface. Select Restore from iCloud Backup and enter your Apple ID and password.

restoring from icloud backup

  • Step 4: Select the backup created from your previous iPhone and tap Restore. Wait for the data to restore and download.

Part 4: Troubleshoot Common Issues With Backup and Restore Using iTunes or iCloud

Troubleshooting common issues with iTunes or iCloud backup and restore processes can help ensure a successful data transfer.

Connection problem between iPhone and Mac

iPhone and Mac connection problems are a common occurrence. If this occurs, ensure you use an original Apple USB cable and attempt connecting your devices to separate USB terminals. Restarting your iPhone and Mac can also assist in resolving connectivity issues.

Storage problem – Insufficient storage space for backups

Another common issue is insufficient backup storage space. If you receive a message that there is insufficient capacity to complete a backup, you can either free up space on your Mac or iPhone.

Remove unnecessary files, applications, and media to free up space. Consider using external storage devices or cloud services as an alternative method for storing your backups.

Incomplete or corrupted backup file

Additionally, incomplete or corrupted archival files can occasionally occur. If you encounter this issue, verify that you are using the most recent version of iTunes or iCloud. If the issue persists, create a new backup, and delete the previous one.

Conclusion

Backing up your iPhone to a Mac is essential for protecting your data and assuring its availability in an emergency. Whether you choose to utilize Finder, iTunes, iCloud, or a dependable third-party utility, it is impossible to exaggerate the importance of regular backups.

Wondershare Dr.Fone is an excellent choice for those searching for a dependable, user-friendly solution for backing up your iPhone to a Mac. Its specific features, such as selective backup, encryption, and flexible restoration options, make it an ideal tool for Mac users who want to securely back up their iPhone data.

FAQs

FAQs about WhatsApp transferring to new phone

This depends on how much data you have on your iPhone. To effectively use your Mac, you need at least twice as much storage capacity as your iPhone. To back up a 128GB iPhone, for instance, you'll need at least 256GB of available space on your Mac.
Users choose iCloud because it automatically backs up their devices when connected to Wi-Fi and a power source. You want to use a fast Wi-Fi connection to recover your data from just about any place.
How do you know if your iPhone is backed up, and when was the last time it was backed up? Here is the method for determining:
  • Step 1: To access iCloud Backup, navigate to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
  • Step 2: Ensure that iCloud Backup is activated.
  • Step 3: When enabled, iCloud Backup backs up your iPhone to iCloud.
Here you will find a list of all iPhone backups that have been created.

Alice MJ

staff Editor

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