How to Backup Your iPhone/iPad: iTunes, iCloud or Other Alternatives?

Updated Jul 12,2016 | by Niko

All the time we suggest our readers backup iPhone/iPad regularly in case something goes wrong. Actually, it takes no effort once set up. However, some of you still do not realize the importance and necessity of backup, or cannot find a proper way to backup your iPhone/iPad.

This article is going to help you figure out the reasons why and how to backup your iPhone/iPad. Once in need, a backup can help you a great deal.

This article applies to most of your iOS devices, if not all, including iPhone X/Xs/Xs Max,  iPhone 8/8Plus, iPhone 7/7 Plus, iPhone 6s/6s Plus, iPhone 6/6 Plus, iPhone 5/5s/5s and iPhone SE?

Fortunately, you can make full use of iTunes or iCloud to backup your iPhone/iPad easily.  You can choose one of the backup methods or make backups in both. Before getting started, you can learn the difference between making backups with iTunes and iCloud.

Backup with iCloud

If you make a backup with iCloud, then the backup will be stored in iCloud. Due to the support of cloud technology, you enable to create and use your backups from anywhere with Wi-Fi condition.

Besides, iCloud always encrypts your backups. Apple offers up to 1TB iCloud storage, and only the first 5GB is free. If you need more storage, you have to pay the extra storage use. There are some workarounds to backup iPhone when iCloud is full .

Backup with iTunes

If you make a backup with iTunes, the backup file will be stored on your computer. It offers encrypted backups (off by default), and you can only create and use your backups from computer. Compared to backup with iCloud, this way has no storage limitation, generally. The backup storage only depends on the available space of your computer.

Backup with IOTransfer

IOTransfer is iPhone Manger software that allows you to backup iOS device to PC with 1 click. If you think iTunes too complicated to use or have some problem with it, the IOTransfer is a good alternative to iTunes in term of backing up.

First of all, make sure your iPhone/iPad is connected to Wi-Fi network. Go to Settings, and Tap on your name at the top. Then select iCloud > iCloud Backup and turn it on, and choose Back Up Now to backup your iPhone/iPad.

If the backup process finishes, you can go to Settings > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage, and see the backup details of time, size and app options.

Connect your iPhone/iPad to your Mac or PC, open iTunes and select your iPhone/iPad when it appears in iTunes. Click “Back Up Now”, you can make a backup on your computer without encryption.

If you want to encrypt your backup, please do select “Encrypt backup” and create a password for the backup file.

Once the backup process completes, you will see the backup details in Edit > Preferences > Devices. If your backup is encrypted, there will be a lock icon beside the name of your device.

There are some alternative tools available in the marketplace that can help you backup your iPhone/iPad easily as well, and IOTransfer is one of them. Compared to backup with iCloud or iTunes, IOTransfer allows you to choose backup between photos, music and apps.

Connect your iPhone/iPad to IOTransfer via USB cable, export your photos, music, videos or apps and store them on your computer. You can use them as backup, and import them back to your iPhone/iPad in case something happens to your device. 

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