Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteBefore installing an iOS update, make a fresh iPhone backup and confirm it completed. You can back up to iCloud or to a Mac or Windows PC; Apple recommends backing up before updating. Choose the option that fits your available storage and equipment, then update from Settings > General > Software Update.
Choose where to back up your iPhone
| Option | Where the backup is stored | What to consider | How to confirm it completed |
|---|---|---|---|
| iCloud | Your iCloud account | Convenient and wireless, but check that you have enough iCloud storage. Data already syncing through iCloud services is handled separately from the device backup. | Check the last-backup details in iCloud Backup after running Back Up Now. |
| Mac | Your Mac | Use Finder on macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, or iTunes on macOS Mojave or earlier. An encrypted local backup can include additional data categories. | Finder displays the date and time of the last backup. |
| Windows PC | Your PC | Use Apple Devices or iTunes. An encrypted local backup can include additional data categories. | Apple’s Windows backup interface displays the last-backup date and time when the process ends. |
No option is best for everyone. Consider your iCloud capacity, access to a computer and cable, preference for cloud or local storage, and whether you want the additional coverage available with an encrypted local backup.
Back up to iCloud
- On your iPhone, open Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
- If necessary, turn on Back Up This iPhone.
- Tap Back Up Now and wait for the backup to finish.
- On the same screen, check the last-backup information to confirm that the new backup completed.
iCloud can run automatic backups daily when the iPhone is connected to power, locked, and connected to Wi-Fi. For a backup immediately before an update, start one manually and verify its completion instead of relying on the schedule.
If iCloud storage is limited
Open Settings > [your name] > iCloud to check available storage and review the backup’s size and included apps. Turning off an app reduces the backup size, but also deletes that app’s existing backup data from iCloud. Check the consequences before changing which apps are included.
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Back up to a Mac
- Connect the iPhone to your Mac. Use the cable that came with the iPhone if available; otherwise, use a compatible cable that supports data.
- On macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, open Finder and select your iPhone in the sidebar. On macOS Mojave or earlier, use iTunes.
- In Finder, select General, then choose Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac. In iTunes, use the device’s backup controls.
- Click Back Up Now and wait for it to finish. In Finder, check the displayed last-backup date and time.
Back up to a Windows PC
- Connect your iPhone to the PC using its cable or another compatible data cable.
- Open Apple Devices, when available, or iTunes, and select your iPhone.
- In Apple Devices, open General; in iTunes, open Summary. Choose Back Up Now.
- Wait until the process ends, then check the displayed date and time of the last backup.
Should you encrypt a computer backup?
Local backups are not encrypted by default. Turning on Encrypt local backup protects the backup with a password and lets it include additional categories such as saved passwords, Wi-Fi settings, website history, Health data, and call history. Face ID, Touch ID, and the iPhone passcode are not included.
You need the password to use an encrypted backup. Apple says it cannot recover a forgotten password for an existing encrypted backup, so save it in a password manager or another secure place. If you encrypt a backup, make sure you can retrieve that password before you need to restore from it.
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What an iCloud backup includes
iCloud Backup saves data and settings that are not already syncing to iCloud. Photos, videos, and messages may sync separately depending on whether iCloud Photos and Messages in iCloud are enabled. A device backup is therefore not the same thing as turning on iCloud syncing; check the relevant settings for the data you want available.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Update iOS after the backup
- Connect the iPhone to power and a Wi-Fi network.
- Open Settings > General > Software Update. The screen shows the installed iOS version and whether an update is available.
- Tap Download and Install and follow the onscreen instructions.
If the update does not appear wirelessly, Apple provides a computer-based update route. A VPN or proxy connection may prevent the iPhone from contacting Apple’s update servers. If the update needs more room, iOS may temporarily remove apps and reinstall them after installation; you can instead cancel and free space manually.
Quick Recap
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- SANDISK Memory Zone App Required. Download the app(3) from the App Store and update firmware if prompted to optimize your file management experience or jump to the iOS Files app from the home screen.
- Free Up Space. Seamlessly transfer files to your SanDisk Phone Drive, then easily delete them from your phone to reclaim valuable storage(3).
- Smarter Backups. Choose manual or automatic backup within the SANDISK Memory Zone app with real-time progress tracking, background multitasking, and partial backup support when storage is limited(3).
- Reliable Transfers. Move content between your USB-C or Lightning iPhone, iPad Pro, Mac, and other compatible devices(2).
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