What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
If your iPhone still unlocks, back it up now—before restarting, handing it in for repair, or risking a passcode lockout. Use Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now, or make a computer backup. Do not assume a backup finished just because you started it: wait for the backup screen or computer app to show a current completion date and time.
How do I back up my iPhone before it restarts?
Choose the route you can complete immediately. iCloud is convenient if you have Wi-Fi and enough iCloud storage. A computer backup is an alternative if you have a Mac or PC, a compatible data cable, and can approve any passcode or trust prompts. Apple documents both methods: iCloud backup instructions, Mac backup instructions, and Windows backup instructions.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Back up to iCloud
-
Connect the iPhone to Wi-Fi.
-
Open Settings, tap your name, then tap iCloud and iCloud Backup.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Tap Back Up Now. Keep the iPhone connected to Wi-Fi until the process finishes.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
USB Flash Drive for iPhone/iPad, MFi Certified 3in1, 256GB, Silver | External Memory Photo Storge Keeper, Type c/USB 3.0/USB C High Speed, Compatible with PC, Video/Data Backup Card- MFi Certified Multi-function Flash Drive: This flash drive is MFi certified, high quality and excellent performance, allowing you to store your data more securely without worrying about data loss. Made of high quality metal material and advanced chip technology, it has excellent dustproof, drop-proof and anti-magnetic performance. The flash drive has a 256GB capacity, easily free up space on your device
- 256GB 3-in-1 Lightweight and Compact Memory Stick: The flash drive has USB/Lightning/Type C interfaces for USB/Usb C pcie port card compatible with iOS devices with iOS12.1 and above / OTG Android phones / PC with Win7 and above / MAC devices with MAC10.6 and above, convenient for data transfer between different devices. It is also lightweight and compact, easy to carry around and keep your data at your fingertips. Accompanied by a uniquely designed keychain, the product is more convenient for you to carry
- One Click Backup and One Click Sharing: You can easily backup photos, videos, and phonebook to your phone with just one click via the APP, freeing up space on your mobile device without using a data cable or iCloud. You can also share photos/videos/files from the flash drive directly to social media (Facebook, etc.) for easy sharing with family and friends. (Tips: iOS devices need to download the "U-Disk" APP when using flash drive; Android and PC devices do not need to download APP)
- Automatic Storage and On-the-Go Playback: All photos and videos captured by the in-app camera are automatically saved to U-Disk albums in real time and stored in a folder for easy editing and searching. Store your favorite movies and music on the flash drive, you can enjoy the stored movies or music anytime and anywhere when you are traveling or on a business trip
- High Speed Transfer and Data Encryption: This flash drive has high read/write speed, so you can enjoy the convenience of fast backup and save time. The flash drive uses stable APP software, you can choose to turn on Touch ID/Passcode to encrypt the whole flash drive, or you can choose to encrypt specific files to protect your data, so you can enjoy a more convenient and secure file storage experience
-
On the iCloud Backup screen, confirm that the displayed last-backup date and time have updated. If they have not, the new backup is not confirmed as complete.
For automatic iCloud backups, Back Up This [Device] must be enabled; the iPhone also needs Wi-Fi and power, and its screen must be locked. Those conditions make automatic backup a poor substitute for a manual backup when you are about to lose access.
Back up to a Mac or PC
-
Connect the iPhone to the computer with a compatible data cable. Use a cable you already have if it works for data; connector types vary by iPhone and computer.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsSpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Open the appropriate app: Finder on a Mac with macOS Catalina 10.15 or later; Apple Devices on Windows if installed; or iTunes on Windows when Apple Devices is not installed and in applicable older setups, including older macOS versions.
-
Select the iPhone in the app. If prompted, enter the iPhone passcode and approve Trust This Computer on the phone.
-
Choose Back Up Now. If you need the extra data categories described below, select Encrypt local backup and set a password you can keep safe.
-
Wait until the app shows the current backup date and time. Do not disconnect the iPhone or treat the backup as complete while it is still running.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.Rank #2
SSK Portable SSD 1TB External Solid State Hard Drive USB C Up to 1050MB/s- Capacity Display Variance: 1TB external ssd often appears as around 931GB on Windows. MacOS can show full 1 TB capacity. This is binary calculation difference and doesn’t affect SSD hard drive actual physical storage
- 1050 MB/s Speed: Instantly access to your files with blazing-fast 10Gbps external SSD read up to 1050MB/s and write up to 1000MB/s. LED Light indicates USB SSD instant activity
- Data Security: Solid state drives S.M.A.R.T. health diagnostics and adaptive TRIM optimizing data block management ensures consistent write speeds and extends the longevity of the portable SSD
- USB-C & USB-A Cable: Both cables featuring rapid USB 3.2 Gen2, this USB SSD effortlessly bridges devices, enabling seamless cross-platform file transfers and backup between computers, smartphones, tablets and iPhone
- Always Fast: No slowdowns for large file transfers. With SLC caching (25% of current available capacity allocated as high-speed cache), this external SSD delivers steady 10Gbps for transfers within the cache capacity
A computer backup is unencrypted by default unless you choose local-backup encryption. Apple’s Windows guide describes a backup as a copy of information to use if a device is replaced, lost, or damaged: Apple Support.
Which backup route should I use?
| Consideration | iCloud | Computer |
| What you need | Wi-Fi and sufficient iCloud storage. | A Mac or PC, compatible data cable, and a supported backup app. |
| Device prompts | Manual backup requires navigating Settings while the iPhone is usable. | The iPhone may prompt for its passcode and permission to trust the computer. |
| Encryption | Not applicable as a local-backup setting. | Local backup is unencrypted by default; encryption is optional and password-protected. |
| Completion check | Check the last-backup date and time on the iCloud Backup screen. | Check the last-backup date and time in Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes. |
There is no universally better route: use the one whose prerequisites you can meet now, and verify its completion timestamp.
How can I tell when my iPhone backup is finished?
Check the date and time shown as the last backup in the interface that performed it. For iCloud, return to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. For a computer backup, check the iPhone’s backup information in Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes. A progress indicator, a tap on Back Up Now, or the phone being connected is not by itself proof of completion.
What does a backup include, and should I encrypt a computer backup?
A backup is not necessarily a copy of every item on the iPhone. What can be restored depends on settings and services: for example, when iCloud Photos is enabled, photos and videos sync through iCloud Photos rather than being included in the nightly device backup. Some information syncs separately through iCloud or is supplied again by an app or service. See Apple’s guidance on information that may be missing after an iCloud restore.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Encrypting a local computer backup can preserve additional categories, including saved passwords, Wi-Fi settings, website history, Health data, and call history. It does not include Face ID, Touch ID, or the device passcode. The encryption password is essential: Apple says encrypted backups cannot be recovered without it. If you forget it, older encrypted backups remain unusable; resetting the encryption setting on supported software allows a new encrypted backup but does not unlock old ones. Read Apple’s encrypted-backup guidance before choosing this option.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can I back up my iPhone if I can’t unlock it?
Do not count on making a fresh backup after access is lost. Apple’s computer-backup procedure can require entering the device passcode and approving the computer. A manual iCloud backup requires navigating Settings, while automatic iCloud backup runs only if the setting is enabled and the phone has Wi-Fi, power, and a locked screen. Make the backup while the phone is still usable if possible.
If the iPhone is already inaccessible, check whether an existing backup is available from another accessible device signed in to the relevant account or during setup. Whether a prior automatic backup exists is specific to the device and account; do not assume one is present.
Rank #3
- Made For iPhone Certified. Compatible with iPhone 15 or newer (USB-C) and iPhone 14 or older models (Lightning)(2). When connected via USB-C, works with SANDISK Memory Zone app or Apple iOS Files app—automatic backup requires SANDISK app(3). Lightning connection requires the SANDISK app for copy and backup functions(3).
- SANDISK Memory Zone App Required. Download the app(3) from the App Store and update firmware if prompted to optimize your file management experience or jump to the iOS Files app from the home screen.
- Free Up Space. Seamlessly transfer files to your SanDisk Phone Drive, then easily delete them from your phone to reclaim valuable storage(3).
- Smarter Backups. Choose manual or automatic backup within the SANDISK Memory Zone app with real-time progress tracking, background multitasking, and partial backup support when storage is limited(3).
- Reliable Transfers. Move content between your USB-C or Lightning iPhone, iPad Pro, Mac, and other compatible devices(2).
What if the backup fails or iCloud storage is full?
iCloud backup is delayed or reports insufficient storage
-
Confirm that the iPhone remains connected to Wi-Fi and power, then allow the backup to finish.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
If storage is insufficient, check the estimated size of the next backup and available iCloud capacity. You can reduce what is included in the backup if appropriate or consider more iCloud storage. Apple lists steps for iCloud backup errors and capacity problems.
-
Use the updated last-backup time as the completion check; do not infer success from elapsed time alone.
The computer does not complete a backup
-
Check that the computer and backup app are current, that the iPhone appears in the app, and that you have completed any cable, trust, or passcode prompts.
-
Make sure the computer has enough available storage. If the problem continues, Apple suggests trying another computer or using iCloud if available. See Apple’s computer-backup troubleshooting steps.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
What happens to my data if I have to erase my iPhone?
Erasing the iPhone does not create a backup of the data currently on it. After an erase, setup can restore data only from a backup that already exists, if one is available. Apple’s forgotten-passcode recovery guidance explains that resetting a device may be required; its restore instructions explain how to recover from an existing backup. If the iPhone has already been set up, restoring an iCloud backup through setup may require erasing it first.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
