How To Back Up Your iPhone Before A Repair (iCloud, Mac Or PC)

Guide 10a · Data & Backup

Worried about losing your photos? A backup takes a few minutes and protects everything. Here are three ways to do it.

Works on: Every iPhone. Pick iCloud or a computer. Either one works.

Option 1: Back Up To iCloud

1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Open Settings.
3. Tap your name at the top.
4. Tap iCloud.
5. Tap iCloud Backup.
6. Turn on Back Up This iPhone. The switch turns green.
7. Tap Back Up Now. A progress bar appears.
8. Stay on Wi-Fi until it finishes. The screen shows the time of your last backup.

If iCloud says you don't have enough space, use a computer instead, or free up space first.

Option 2: Back Up To A Mac

1. Plug your iPhone into the Mac with a cable.
2. Open Finder (the blue smiling face in the Dock).
3. Click your iPhone in the left sidebar.
4. If your iPhone asks "Trust This Computer?", tap Trust and enter your phone passcode.
5. Choose to back up all data to this Mac, then click Back Up Now.

Option 3: Back Up To A Windows PC

1. Install the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store.
2. Plug in your iPhone.
3. Open the Apple Devices app.
4. If your iPhone asks "Trust This Computer?", tap Trust and enter your phone passcode.
5. Click your iPhone in the left sidebar.
6. Click General.
7. Under Backups, click Back Up Now. Wait until it finishes before you unplug.

Next step: How To Get Your iPhone Ready For A Repair. Also see Is My Data Safe During a Phone Repair?

Source: Back up iPhone, Prepare your iPhone for service (Apple Support, checked Oct 18, 2026).

Franchitti's Fix LLC is an independent repair shop, not affiliated with Apple.