It doesn’t matter if you have an iPhone or an iPad , if you use Windows, macOS Catalina or an earlier version of the system; We will see how to make a local backup of the data you have on your iOS device. Because not everyone wants to pay for iCloud to have the copy in the cloud, or simply because they don’t want to. So let’s do it.
How to make a copy of the iPhone or iPad on Mac
iCloud is the option that Apple wants you to consider in order to have a backup of the data stored on your iOS device. Firstly, because of the security it offers against local copies, since, like other cloud storage services, its servers are monitored to avoid any possible loss of both software and hardware failures.
Second, a cloud copy allows you to recover data at any time by simply having an internet connection. Otherwise, if you had to restart the device or it was lost and you had the need to access such data, you could not do it until you have your computer at hand.
However, many users do not use iCloud for their backups. Because they don’t want to pay an extra to have the necessary capacity that their iPhone requires. So they turn to the local copy, a process that is sometimes faster.
IOS backups on macOS Mojave or lower
In macOS Mojave as in previous versions, the way to make a local backup is to use iTunes . Connect your iOS devices via cable to the Mac (to make data transfer faster) and select the option to back up.
In the iTunes options you can set if you want the image with the file to be encrypted or not and also the location of that copy. When you have selected the appropriate settings, click on Accept and voila, in a few minutes you will have your local copy.
IOS backups on macOS Catalina
In the case of macOS Catalina the task of backups differs slightly since iTunes has disappeared as an application. With the latest version of the system it was divided into different applications, hence you have one for podcast, another for music and TV. So, to make the backup you have to do it from Finder.
When you connect an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to a Mac with the latest system version, they will appear in the Finder sidebar. In the Locations section you will see your connected iOS device. When you select it you will see an interface that will remind you of the existing window in iTunes.
The General tab is where you can set the different options to create local backups, so:
- Connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to your Mac via USB cable
- Open Finder
- In Locations, select your device
- In General you will see the Backup option
- Select the option to save the copies to the Mac instead of iCloud
- Select if you want to encrypt the copy or not
- Click Copy now
Ready, you just have to wait. In this window you can also see a small indicator in text of when the last copy was made. So you can keep track and assess whether or not you need a newer copy.
How to back up iPhone or iPad in Windows 10
Windows users must continue using the latest version of iTunes available for the platform if you want to make backup copies. If this is your case, download this version if you don’t have it yet.
Then launch iTunes for Windows and select the icon of the iOS device that you will see in the top bar. Now click on Summary and then on Backup now. Likewise, if you want to tape the copy and other settings, you will see them in the application window.
Restore a backup of iOS 13 or iPadOS
Before finishing, some details that might be useful too. If you are going to encrypt your copy, make sure you don’t forget your password or you will be without access to the data. If you are going to have only local copies, better create reminders to make them periodically. Copy those backups to another location or make a copy of your Mac disk with Time Machine.
The backups you make can be managed from iTunes or Finder. When you connect your device you will see the option to see the copies you have stored. That way you could eliminate them if you see that you don’t need them and they are taking up disk space.
Then, if by any chance you had problems and you need to restore, the process is just as simple. Connect the iPhone or iPad and launch iTunes or open a Finder window. Now look for the option to restore from backups and follow the steps indicated.
And if for another reason the copy is in iCloud, you know, when you start the device from scratch you will have the option after starting with iCloud to restore the device. With all this you should already be calm, you will never lose data again.
