4 Ways to Backup iPhone/iPad to Computer

Part 1: How to backup iPhone/iPad to computer using iTunes Backup?

Backing up your files to your PC/Mac with iTunes enables you to backup the most important data on your iPhone/iPad, including contacts, photos, calendars, notes, messages, etc. It gives you the ability to encrypt your iPhone Backup and save your backup files to your computer. You can also restore the iTunes backup to your iPhone/iPad on your computer.

Note: Before you make a backup of your documents, make sure you have installed the latest iTunes on your computer.

Here are how to backup iPhone/iPad to PC with iTunes:

Step 1: Connect your iPhone/iPad to the computer

Once you have installed the latest iTunes on your computer, connect your iPhone/iPad to your computer via a recommended lightning USB cord which is in perfect working condition.

Step 2: Launch iTunes to setup backup

Open iTunes and on the home page, click on the Device icon next to the category drop-down menu on the left side of the iTunes window. Select Summary on the right bar of the program and then select “This computer” under “Automatically Back up”. To ensure that your passwords and other data are backed up as well, check the “Encrypt” box. You will be prompted to create a password to protect your encrypted backups which will be automatically stored in a Keychain.

Note that this password will be requested when you want to access your backup files.

Step 3: Backup your files with iTunes

After all necessary settings have been put in place, you can now select “Back Up Now” under Manually Back Up. Immediately your backup process would begin but it might take some time to complete a backup depending on the number of files. Simply Click Done when the backup has been completed.

Part 2: How to backup iPhone/iPad to the computer using iTunes Sync

With iTunes set on your computer, you can sync a lot of files such as Songs, Films, Books, etc. you might already have them handy on your iPhone/iPad but backing them up is the best thing to do. You can also back up your photos and music by syncing them from your iPhone/iPad to a folder on your computer.

Note that when you sync your iPhone/iPad with iTunes, the photos or music on your iOS device automatically updates itself to match the album on your computer.

There are several file types that can be easily synced with your computer using iTunes. These files include media files such as songs, albums, playlists, movies, podcasts, audiobooks, TV shows, and even books. It can also sync photos and video files.

The required steps to sync iPhone/iPad using iTunes are as follows:

Steps 1: Connect Your Device and Launch iTunes

Connect your iPhone/iPad to your computer via a functional lightning USB Cord, input your Apple password so that the Computer can gain access to your files. Open iTunes on your Windows PC/Mac and then click on the Device icon in iTunes windows which is at the top left side of the screen.

Step 2: Select What to Sync

On the left sidebar of the iTunes window, select Music or any other category that you wish to sync with your PC. At the top of that particular window, select the checkbox next to Sync.

Step 3: Apply the Sync

Click the Sync button under the right bottom corner of this window. If it doesn't start automatically, click the Sync button manually

Once it is successful, you can view your synced data on the folder you’ve created for the backup on your computer.

Part 3: How to back up your iPhone/iPad your PC/Mac without iTunes?

Backup iPhone to Mac (Mac os Catalina and Big Sur)

Apple has ditched iTunes from Mac since Mac os Catalina. How Mac users back up iPhone without iTunes? Learn from following steps:

Step 1. Connect iPhone to your Mac with cable or Wi-Fi.

Step 2. Open Finder, select your iPhone in the Finder sidebar.

Step 3.Select General.

Step 4. Do the following options and click Backup Up Now.

Backup iPhone to a PC/Mac using Dr.Fone - Phone Backup

You can back up your files from your device to your computer without using iTunes. Obviously, iTunes is not the best option as files backed up in it cannot be accessed or previewed. Alternatively, you can use Dr.Fone - Phone Backup (iOS) to back up your iPhone/iPad to your computer. This is a more effective and simple method to backup and restores your iPhone/iPad.

Follow the steps below to back up your iPhone to the computer.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone device to the computer

First of all, install and launch Dr.Fone on your computer. It will display a lot of different options, simply Choose “Phone Backup”. Now, use a USB cable to connect your iPhone/iPad to your computer. Dr.Fone will automatically recognize your device (if the cable is in perfect working condition and your device is unlocked).

On the next screen select the “Phone Backup” option to proceed to the next stage.

Step 2: Select the File types to Backup

You will find a list of files that can be accessed by Dr.Fone on your iPhone. Simply check the boxes next to each file type name of the files you will like to back up to your personal computer and click on the “Backup” button.

Step 3: View Backed up files

Once the download has been completed, you should see a confirmation page that your backup has been completed. Simply click on “View Backup History” to view the list of the files that have been backed up to your computer. You might also select “Open Backup Location” to be taken to the location of the backup on your computer.

Part 4: How to transfer iPhone/iPad data to computer without iTunes?

If you want to complete an iPhone transfer without iTunes for backup purposes, then you must have the right iPhone/iPad transfer tools. The right tool is important because it will make your transfer much easier when you want to transfer from iPhone/iPad to your personal computer selectively.

The best tool to use is Dr.Fone - Phone Manager (iOS). Dr.Fone is an excellent all-in-one software package design to make the transfer of files from your iOS Device smooth. Be its important documents, multimedia, you can transfer files with Dr.Fone for free. Using Dr.Fone - Phone Manager (iOS) is an easier way to transfer data from iPhone/iPad to your Computer/Mac without difficulties. Using this tool, you can virtually transfer any files of your choice before.

Step 1: Get your iOS device connected to PC/Mac

First, install and launch Dr.Fone on your computer. Now connect your iPhone/iPad to your computer via a USB Cable in which options will be displayed. Dr.Fone will recognize your device instantly after which you can select the “Phone Manager” option from the home screen.

Select one of the options available at the top of the interface (Music, Videos, Photos, Information, or Apps). Let’s take the example of Music files.

Step 2: Select files and choose to Export

On Selecting Music, it will reflect all the music files available on your device. So, make a selection of all the files that you would like to have a backup to the PC and then press the “Export” button after that choose “Export to PC”.

Step 3: Define the final output folder and start exporting

Select the output folder on your PC to save the files and press OK. Your files would now be exported to your PC in no time, all in a hassle-free manner. Now you know how to backup iPhone to computer by using Dr.Fone - Phone Manager (iOS).