How to back up your iPhone or iPad with your Mac
After you back up your iPhone or iPad, you have a copy of your information to use in case your device is ever replaced, lost or damaged.
Back up with the Finder (for macOS Catalina 10.15 or later)
Back up with iTunes (for macOS Mojave or earlier)
Back up with the Finder (for macOS Catalina 10.15 or later)
Connect your device to your Mac with a cable.
If asked, click Allow to allow the accessory to connect.
Open the Finder.
In the Finder sidebar, select your device. Can’t see your device?
If asked, click Trust to trust this computer.
Click Trust on your device.
If asked, enter your device passcode. Forgotten your passcode?
If you want to save Health and Activity data from your device or Apple Watch, select “Encrypt local backup” and create a password. You can’t recover your backup without this password.
Enter the password again for verification.
Click Set Password.
Click Back Up Now.
Wait for your device to complete the backup.
After a successful backup, the date and time of your last backup appear.
Back up with iTunes (for macOS Mojave or earlier)
iTunes automatically backs up your device when you connect it to your computer. But you can also back up your device manually at any time:
Connect your device to your Mac.
If asked, click Allow to allow the accessory to connect.
Open iTunes.
Select your device from the upper right corner of the iTunes window. Can’t see your device?
If asked, click Trust to trust this computer.
On your device, click Trust.
If asked, enter your device passcode. Forgotten your passcode?
If you want to save Health and Activity data from your device or Apple Watch, select “Encrypt local backup” and create a password. You can’t recover your backup without this password.
Enter the password again for verification.
Click Set Password.
Click Back Up Now.
Wait for your device to complete the backup.
After a successful backup, the date and time of your last backup appear.