A backup allows you to copy and save the information from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. If you replace your device, you can usea backup to transfer your information to a new device.
Which method is best for you?
iCloud backups
Backups from your computer
Can I use my device’s backup for another kind of device?
Which method is best for you?
In case you ever need an alternative backup, you canback up your device using iCloudand also usingyour computer.Find outhow to back upyour deviceorrestore your device from a backup.
iCloud
- Stores backups in iCloud
- Offers up to12TB of storage(combined with an Apple One Premier plan, you can get up to 14TB)
- Always encrypts your backups
- Lets you create and use backups from anywhere with Wi-Fi
Computer
- Stores backups on your Mac or PC
- Storage depends on your Mac or PC's available space
- Offers encrypted backups (off by default)
- Lets you create and use backups from your Mac or PC
iCloud backups
With a Wi-Fi network connection, you canback up your device using iCloud. You don't need to plug your device into a computerto back up with iCloud.
iCloud backupsinclude all the information and settings stored on your device that don’talready sync to iCloud. iCloud backups don't include:
- Data that you already store and sync in iCloud, such as Contacts, Calendars and Notes
- Photos, if you turned on iCloud Photos
- iMessages,text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messages, if you sync messages with iCloud
- Data stored in other cloud services, like Gmail and Exchange mail
- Apple Mail data
- Apple Pay information and settings
- Face ID or Touch ID settings
- iCloud Music Libraryand App Store content
Backups from your computer
A computer backup of your device, which is not the same as a sync,includes almost all of your device's data and settings. Abackup from a computer doesn't include:
- Content from the iTunes and App Stores, or PDFs downloaded directly toApple Books
- Content synced from your Mac or PC, such as imported MP3s or CDs, videos, books and photos
- Data already synced and stored in iCloud, such as iCloud Photos, iMessages, and text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messages
- Face ID or Touch ID settings
- Apple Pay information and settings
- Apple Mail data
- Activity, Health and Keychain data (to back up this content, you'll need to useEncrypted Backup.)
Find out how to back up, find backups and delete backups that you no longer need on your Mac or PC
Can I use my device's backup for another kind of device, like an iPhone backup for an iPad?
You canrestore a device from a backupof another kind of device, like using an iPad backup for an iPhone, but certain types of content won't be transferred:
- Photos, unless you use iCloud Photos
- Messages andattachments in Messages, unless you sync messages with iCloud
- Voice Memos
- Apps that aren’t compatible with the device that you’re setting up. (For example, apps compatible only with iPad won't transfer to your iPhone.)
Published Date:
