How to Backup iPhone to Computer - Top 4 Ways

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

Who's It For: This method suits those who prefer more control over their backups and want a quicker, more customizable alternative to traditional backup options.

Even though iTunes is easy to use, it lags one feature that is needed the most for all the users. While backing up your data each time, you need to backup the entire data. This is time consuming and redundant work. People need a tool that can selectively backup their data. They need a tool that can save their time by backing up only that data which users need to backup.

And it is this time when Tenorshare iCareFone comes into picture. It is the best way to backup iPhone messges, photos,videos, music and other up to 20+ files to PC. It can help you export your iPhone photos to pc with only one-click, and manage multiple iOS files in one tool. It's also compatible with the latest iOS 18 Beta and iPhone 15 (Mini)/Pro (Max).

Tenorshare iCareFone

Best iOS Backup Tool and File Manager

• Free backup everything you need on iPhone/iPad/iPod
• Transfer music, photos, videos, contacts, SMS without limitation
• Selectively restore files without erasing current data
• 1-Click to transfer photos from iPhone to PC/Mac

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How to Backup iPhone to PC 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.

  

Video Guide to Backup iPhone to Computer without iTunes/iCloud

Way 2: Backup iPhone to PC using iTunes

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

Using iTunes to backup your iPhone is a reliable and free option provided by Apple. 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.

However, it's important to note that 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. Click Done when finished.

  

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

Who's It For: 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 sync your iOS data across devices 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.

  Note:

  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.

  

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

Who's It For: 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. Finder can backup your iPhone 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".

• Wait for the backup to complete. You can restore the backup after the process is completed.

  

Conclusion

You’ve explored the top 4 methods for backing up an iPhone to a 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 data to PC. This tool backs up your data smartly saving your time and space by selectively backing up the data.