How to backup your iPhone — the easiest way to store data in iCloud

How to backup your iPhone
How to backup your iPhone (Image credit: Future)

"How to backup your iPhone" is a popular search query on Google, and with good reason. You never know when something could go awry. Your iPhone could suffer data loss, and because you didn't back up your device, you have no way of recovering all the information that disappeared.

Fortunately, there is a way that you can store your data elsewhere. This way, even if your device blows up, sinks into the ocean or self-destructs, you'll still be able to retrieve your data no matter what happens to your iPhone.

How to backup your iPhone

One of the easiest ways you can backup your iPhone data is to store it in your iCloud, which securely saves your data and important information on Apple's remote servers. It's good practice to backup your iPhone data so you're covered in the event of a data-loss event.

Apple will often ask users to backup their data to prepare their devices for iPhone repairs. The technician may need to wipe some or all of your data to fix your device, so it's best that you back up your data just in case. That being said, here's how to back up your iPhone.

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap on "[Your name] Apple ID, iCloud, Media & Purchases."

3. Tap on "iCloud."

how to backup iPhone

How to backup iPhone (Image credit: Future)

4. Scroll down to the end of "Apps Using iCloud."

5. Tap on "iCloud Backup."

6. Click on "Back Up Now."

How to backup iPhone

How to backup iPhone (Image credit: Future)

Your iPhone will begin backing up your data to the cloud and you should be good to go.

How to access iCloud

Now that you know how to backup your iPhone data, you'll want to figure out how to recover your data when you need it. Here's a step-by-step tutorial on how to access iCloud.

iCloud

iCloud (Image credit: Future)

1. Type in "iCloud.com" into the address bar of your browser.

2. Type in your Apple ID into the empty space. Click on the arrow button.

3. Type in your password and click on the arrow button once more.

iCloud

iCloud (Image credit: Future)

4. Here, you'll find all of your backed-up data, from your contact list to your photos. You can even retrieve all the notes you've typed with the handy-dandy Notes app.

Kimberly Gedeon

Kimberly Gedeon, holding a Master's degree in International Journalism, launched her career as a journalist for MadameNoire's business beat in 2013. She loved translating stuffy stories about the economy, personal finance and investing into digestible, easy-to-understand, entertaining stories for young women of color. During her time on the business beat, she discovered her passion for tech as she dove into articles about tech entrepreneurship, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the latest tablets. After eight years of freelancing, dabbling in a myriad of beats, she's finally found a home at Laptop Mag that accepts her as the crypto-addicted, virtual reality-loving, investing-focused, tech-fascinated nerd she is. Woot!

Read more
Three laptops connected to four servers
Is your data safe? Why cloud storage isn't enough anymore.
Messages app in iOS icon
Apple is tantalizingly close to killing green bubbles
Angled view of Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus cameras.
Samsung's big bet on personal AI makes the Galaxy S25 feel compelling but creepy
A split image showing the Google Pixel 9a on the left and the iPhone 16e on the right
5 reasons Google's Pixel 9a is a victory lap around the iPhone 16e
Nothing Phone 3a Pro camera module
Forget the iPhone 16e! These 3 mid-range phones are the ones you want to buy
Best phone deals — iPhone 15 Plus in hand
Best phone deals in March 2025: Unlocked iPhone from $679, $440 off Galaxy S25 Ultra, Pixel 9 for $599, and more
Latest in iPhones
WWDC 2025 could mark the beginning of the end for certain iPhone users
Two iPhone 16e phones face-to-face in front of an orange background
If this is Apple's iPhone 17 Air, I'm ready to upgrade my phone ASAP
Close up of the USB Type-C charging port on the iPhone 16e in front of a gray background
Apple's iPhone 17 Air almost had this game-changing design, report says
Messages app in iOS icon
Apple is tantalizingly close to killing green bubbles
The iPhone 16e notch
I “downgraded” to the iPhone 16e from an iPhone 16 Pro. Here’s what happened.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in navy blue held above a table
If Apple couldn't sell me on XR with a $3,500 headset, I doubt a $2,500 foldable iPhone will work either
Latest in How-To
illustration of laptop with tower speakers on either side.
How I turned my office into a personal concert hall with tower speakers and a MacBook
Acer Predator Triton Neo 16 gaming and content creation laptop
3 critical tips and tricks for maximizing performance on your gaming laptop
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus
How to restart a Chromebook
how to use copilot voice
Copilot Voice: Here's how you can chat with Microsoft's new AI companion
Screenshots of iPhone mirroring using iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia
iPhone Mirroring changed how I use my MacBook and iPhone — here's how it works
The iPhone 16's camera control button
How to use the iPhone 16's new Camera Control button to become a phone photography pro