How to Manually Back up Your iPhone to iCloud

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 13, 2023 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to manually back up iPhone data, such as photos or notes, to your iCloud account.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Connecting to Wi-Fi

It's the gray app that contains an image of gears (⚙️) and is typically located on your home screen.
2
Tap Wi-Fi . It's near the top of the Settings menu.
- Backup requires a Wi-Fi connection.
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It will turn green.
4
Tap a Wi-Fi network. Select a network.
- Enter a password, if prompted to do so.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Backing Up Your iPhone

If you're still within Wi-Fi' settings, tap Settings in the upper-left corner to return to the main Settings page. Otherwise, access the Settings app as you did before.
2
Tap your Apple ID. It's the section at the top of the screen that contains your name and image if you've added one.
- If you are not signed in, tap Sign in to your iPhone , enter your Apple ID and password, then tap Sign In .
- If you are running an older version of iOS, you may not need to do this step.
It's in the second section of the menu.
4
Select iCloud data to back up. Slide the listed apps, such as Notes or Calendars, to the "On" (green) position to include their data in the backup.
- The data from apps left in the "Off" (white) position will not be backed up.
5
Scroll down and tap iCloud Backup . It’s at the bottom of the second section.
- If you are running an older version of iOS, it may be called Backup .
It will turn green.
A manual backup of your selected iPhone contents will now start.

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Community Q&A

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Question

When backing up my phone on the iCloud, will my apps be backed up as well?

Community Answer

The save data of your apps will be backed up. The apps themselves need to be reinstalled through the appstore.

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Question

How do I backup my iPhone 6s?

Community Answer

There is nothing special about a 6s. The instructions on this page will serve any iPhone.

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What do I do if my iPad keeps saying that it is running out of storage space when I have very few apps?

Community Answer

Check your pictures, data, music, and messaging apps. You can connect your iPad to iTunes to any computer to manage. You can also do this via your iPad itself if you go to Settings>General>Storage. There are also a number of utilities in the app store which will assist you in reclaiming storage space.

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How to Manually Back up Your iPhone to iCloud

Steps

Connecting to Wi-Fi

Backing Up Your iPhone

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