How To Backup Your iOS Device Using iCloud Backup

You never need a backup until you need a backup. That goes for your iPhone or iPad too. In this “how to” article, we’ll go over the steps to turn on iCloud backup on your iOS device, and also tell you what the backup actually, “backs up.”

How To Turn on iCloud Backup

These are the steps for iOS 11. The steps for the earlier versions of iOS are similar, but will differ in some ways.

1. Make sure your iOS device is connected to your local Wi-Fi network.
2. Open the Settings app, and tap “[YOUR NAME] Apple ID, iCloud, iTunes & App Store”.
3. Tap the “iCloud” menu item.
4. Scroll down to find the “iCloud Backup” menu item. Tap that.
5. Tap the “iCloud Backup” toggle switch to turn it ON. (The switch will turn green, as seen in the screenshots.)
6. To get started, go ahead and tap the “Back Up Now” link to immediately start a backup. Be sure to stay connected to Wi-Fi until it is finished.

If you’re the type who doesn’t like to leave anything to chance, verify that your iOS device is backing itself up, under the ‘ICLOUD” section tap “Manage Storage” and then tap “Backup,” then tap the name of the device you are backing up. You should now see the details of your last successful backup, including when it was completed, and the backup size. While you’re here, you can also control what app data the backups will save.

Here’s what iCloud Backup includes

• App data
• Apple Watch backups
• Call history
• Device settings
• HomeKit configuration
• Home screen and app organization
• iMessage, text (SMS), and MMS messages
• Photos and videos on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
• Purchase history from Apple services, like your music, movies, TV shows, apps, and books
• Ringtones
• Visual Voicemail password (requires the SIM card that was in use during backup)

Note: Your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch backup only include information and settings stored on your device. It doesn’t include the information already stored in iCloud, like Contacts, Calendars, Bookmarks, Mail, Notes, shared photos, iCloud Photo Library, My Photo Stream, Health data, and files you store in iCloud Drive.

For more tips and tricks and helpful how to articles that can help you make better use of your Mac, iOS device, Apple Watch, or Apple TV, be sure to visit the “How To” section of our website.