By Anna Sherry

Updated on 2025-09-02

100 % Helpful

How to Backup iPhone to PC [iPhone 16 Supported] - 4 Ways

By Anna Sherry

2025-09-02 / iPhone Backup

I’m trying to figure out how to backup iPhone to PC without losing any data. I’ve heard mixed things about using iTunes, and I really don’t want to deal with the hassle. Is there a simpler way to backup iPhone to computer?

- from Reddit

Your iPhone holds important data—photos, videos, contacts, messages, and more—that you don’t want to lose. Backing up your iPhone to your PC is one of the safest ways to keep everything secure in case of damage, loss, or accidental deletion.

In this guide, we’ll show you the most effective methods to back up iPhone to a Windows or Mac computer, so you can protect your data without relying only on iCloud.

Part 1. Can I Backup My Entire iPhone to My Computer?

Yes, you can back up your entire iPhone to your computer. On Mac, use Finder (macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (older macOS). On Windows 10/11, some users think iTunes no longer supports backups, but the latest iTunes version still works if you remove newer Apple apps like Apple Devices, Apple Music, and Apple TV.

iTunes no longer supports backups on windows 10/11

iTunes still works if you remove newer Apple apps

You can also use iCloud or third-party apps like Tenorshare iCareFone for extra features such as selective backup, transferring data to external drives, and more.

iCareFone- Best Free iOS Backup Tool

iCareFone is a free iOS backup tool that lets you back up and restore your iPhone without iTunes or iCloud limits.

Available for:

Buy Now

Available for:

To help you choose, we’ve put together a quick comparison table of these methods below.

Please swipe to view

Tool

Ease of Use

Backup Method

Storage Limit

Key Features

Recommends

Tenorshare iCareFone

Very user-friendly

USB cable/Wifi

None

Selective backup and restore, no data loss, fast transfer speeds.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

iTunes

Moderate

USB cable

None

Full device backup, but can be slow and complex.

⭐⭐⭐

iCloud

Easy

Cloud-based

5 GB

Automatic backups, syncs across devices, but limited free storage.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Finder

Easy (Mac only)

USB cable

None

Similar to iTunes for Mac users, allows full backups.

⭐⭐⭐

Way 1: Selectively Backup iPhone to PC without iTunes/iCloud (Fastest)

Most iPhone users think of iTunes or iCloud first when it comes to backups—but both come with real limitations:

iTunes only creates a full backup. You can’t view or extract individual files, and restoring always means replacing all data on your iPhone. The process is also slow and often prone to errors like “not detecting iPhone” or “backup corrupt.”
iCloud requires enough cloud storage, which usually means paying monthly fees if your data is larger than the free 5GB. Uploading and restoring through the internet can also be very slow, especially with photos and videos.

If you want speed, flexibility, and control, a better choice is using a professional iOS backup tool like Tenorshare iCareFone. Unlike iTunes and iCloud, iCareFone allows you to selectively back up only the data you care about—such as photos, contacts, chats, or videos—without overwriting the rest of your iPhone.

With iCareFone, you can:

Choose specific files to back up or restore instead of the whole device.
Preview data before restoring, so you never lose anything important.
Save backups to your PC or external drives for extra security.
Complete the process in just a few clicks, much faster than iTunes/iCloud.
Backup iphone 16 to pc, supporting the latest iPhone models.

How to Backup iPhone to Computer without iTunes/iCloud:

Connect your iPhone to the PC and run the Tenorshare iCareFone tool. After the iPhone is detected, choose "Backup & Restore" option from the menu situated at the top.
All the files will be selected by default. You can deselect and choose different files that you need to backup.
Once you have selected the files, click Backup and wait for the process to end to backup iPhone to PC computer.

Note:

This method suits those who prefer more control over their backups and want a quicker, more customizable alternative to traditional backup options.

Video Guide to Backup iPhone to Computer without iTunes/iCloud

Way 2: Backup iPhone to PC using iTunes

Note:

This method suits users who want a comprehensive backup solution directly from Apple, without relying on third-party tools or cloud services.

Backuping iPhone to iTunes on Windows is a reliable and free option provided by Apple, including iPhone 16. It allows you to create a complete backup of your device, including app data, messages, and settings. This method is particularly useful if you have limited iCloud storage or prefer keeping your data locally.

how to backup iphone to itunes on windows

Tips:

iTunes backups can be time-consuming for large amounts of data, and you'll need enough free space on your PC. Also, iTunes must be installed and up-to-date on your computer.

Connect your iPhone to the PC sing USB cable and run the latest version of iTunes.
Click on the device icon the top left.
Go to Summary > Back Up Now. Wait for the process to finish to backup iPhone to iTunes on Windows 10/11. Click Done when finished. You can find on itunes iphone backup location windows 10 on C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

Pros:

Allows full device backup, including settings, messages, photos, and app data
Stores backup locally on your PC, not in the cloud
No need for a Wi-Fi connection, just a USB cable
Can back up to an external hard drive if needed

Cons:

Backup process can be slow and cumbersome
Limited file formats are supported

Way 3: Backup iPhone to PC via iCloud Sync (Photos Only)

Note:

This solution suits users who prioritize accessibility and automation, but may not be the best for those with large photo collections or limited internet access.

When it comes to iPhone data sync and backup, people will often think of the iCloud. iCloud sync is another method offered by the Apple official, by which you can backup iPhone to computer, like iPhone 16, without the third-party tool. So the synced data can also be a backup from your iPhone. If you don't have a lot of data to sync, then iCloud is a great choice for you because iCloud only provide 5 GB free storage.

iCloud offers limited free storage (5GB), which may not be sufficient for extensive photo libraries. You might need to purchase additional storage. Also, a stable internet connection is required for the backup and sync process, which can be time-consuming if you have a large number of photos.

On your iPhone, go to settings and tap on your Apple account.
Then tap on iCloud, and you'll see many data types here. Turn on the Photos and wait for a while. You need to connect a fast-speed internet and make sure your iPhone has enough power.
Then on your computer, download iCloud and sign in with your Apple ID. Then select the "Photos" and click on "Options". Select the "Shared Albums".
Then you need to click "Apply". Wait for a while and you can backup iPhone to iCloud on computer.

Pros:

Automatic wireless backups when connected to Wi-Fi and charging
Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem
Ability to restore data to new iPhone during setup
iPhone backup over wifi to PC

Cons:

Limited 5GB free storage
Slower backup speeds
Requires stable Wi-Fi connection
No selective backup options

Way 4: Backup iPhone to PC with Finder (Mac Only)

Note:

This method is ideal for Mac users needing a complete local backup without third-party software. It's not as suitable for Windows users or those who prefer wireless backups.

If you're using Mac running macOS Catalina or higher, then you will not be new to Finder, which can also be a solution to backup iPhone to Mac with Finder. Finder can backup your iPhone 16 data on Mac and then restore them to your mac, but you cannot select the backup data types in Finder.

First you need to connect your iPhone to Mac using a digital cable. Then open Finder
Then click Go and select Computer. Then you'll see your iPhone under the Location list. Click on it.
Then select "Back up your most important data on your iPhone to iCloud" on the right interface, and click "Back Up Now".
You can backup iPhone to PC wirelessly and restore the backup after the process is completed.

Pros:

Full data backup
No iCloud storage limits
Support most Android devices.

Cons:

Manual backup process
Potential data exclusions
Compatibility issues with older macOS versions needing iTunes

Part 5. FAQs about How to Backup iPhone to Computer

Q1. Why can't I backup my iPhone on PC?

You might not be able to back up your iPhone on PC due to outdated iTunes/Apple Devices software, a faulty USB cable or port, insufficient storage on your computer, or corrupted backup files. Updating iTunes (or using the Apple Devices app on Windows 10/11), trying a different cable/port, and checking storage usually fixes the issue.

Q2. When I backup my iPhone to my PC, where does it go?

When you back up your iPhone to your PC with iTunes or the Apple Devices app, the backup is saved locally on your computer:

Windows: \Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/

Each backup is stored in a dedicated folder, and you can’t open the files directly—they are meant to be restored through iTunes, Finder, or the Apple Devices app.

Q3. Can I move my iPhone backup to an external hard drive?

Yes, you can move your iPhone backup to an external hard drive, but it requires some manual steps:

Locate the backup folder on your computer:
- Windows: \Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
- Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
Copy the entire backup folder to your external hard drive.
On Windows, you can create a symbolic link from the original backup location to the external drive so iTunes still recognizes it.
On Mac, you can use the Terminal to create a symbolic link as well.

Conclusion

You’ve explored the top 4 methods for backing up iPhone to computer, including iTunes, iCloud, and Finder. While these methods back up all your data and can be time-consuming, Tenorshare iCareFone offers a smarter solution to selectively backup iPhone to PC, like photos, videos, contacts, music, WhatsApp chats, etc. More importantly, it will be compatible with the upcoming iPhone 16 and iOS 26.