Recommended Free Tools
Back up your iPhone before troubleshooting or handing it in for service, then check that the backup completed. Apple says a device returned from an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider might have been erased; an existing backup is what lets you restore your information instead of starting over.
Apple Support puts the purpose plainly: “If you back up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you’ll have a copy of your information to use in case your device is ever replaced, lost, or damaged.”
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Choose iCloud or a computer
Apple’s general backup guidance covers iCloud and a computer. Choose the option you can complete and verify before service.
| Method | Best suited to | What you need to check |
|---|---|---|
| iCloud Backup | You have Wi-Fi and enough iCloud storage, and want a cloud backup. | Connect to Wi-Fi, tap Back Up Now, and stay connected until it finishes. Confirm the last-backup date and time shown beneath the button. |
| Computer backup | You can connect your iPhone to a compatible Mac or Windows computer. | Use Finder on macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, iTunes on macOS Mojave or earlier, or the Apple Devices app on Windows. Consider an encrypted backup if you can securely retain its password. |
Apple’s overview of both options is at How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
Back up to iCloud
Start a backup now
- Connect the iPhone to Wi-Fi.
- Open Settings, tap your name, then tap iCloud > iCloud Backup.
- Tap Back Up Now. Keep the iPhone connected to Wi-Fi until the backup completes.
- Check the date and time of the last backup beneath Back Up Now. Do not assume it finished just because you started it.
If iCloud reports that there is not enough storage, follow the on-screen prompt to obtain more iCloud storage before relying on this backup. Apple’s step-by-step instructions are in How to back up your iPhone or iPad with iCloud.
Set up automatic backups
For automatic iCloud backups, make sure Back Up This Device is turned on. The iPhone needs to be connected to power and Wi-Fi, with its screen locked; there must also be sufficient storage for the backup to finish. Automatic backup is useful for routine protection, but before service, run a manual backup and verify its time so you know how recent the saved copy is.
Know what an iCloud backup contains
iCloud Backup saves device data and settings that are not already synced to iCloud. Items already synced—such as supported iCloud content—are handled through syncing rather than being duplicated as another copy inside the backup. See Apple’s explanation of what iCloud backs up.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #2
- 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
Back up to a Mac or Windows PC
On a Mac
- Connect the iPhone to the Mac with a cable.
- On macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, open Finder and select the iPhone. On macOS Mojave or earlier, use iTunes.
- Choose Back Up Now and wait for the backup to finish.
- If you chose encryption, keep the password somewhere safe; you will need it to use that backup.
Apple’s Mac instructions are at How to back up your iPhone or iPad with your Mac.
On Windows
- Connect the iPhone to the Windows computer and open the Apple Devices app.
- Select the iPhone. If you want the extra data categories included in an encrypted local backup, select Encrypt local backup and set a password you can preserve securely.
- Choose Backup Now and allow the backup to complete.
Apple’s Windows instructions are in Back up and restore iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with your Windows device or iCloud.
Decide whether to encrypt the local backup
Encryption is optional and is not enabled by default in Apple’s cited guidance. An encrypted computer backup can include saved passwords, Wi-Fi settings, website history, Health data, and call history. It does not include Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode data. The password is required to use the backup; Apple warns that if you forget a password for an existing encrypted backup, that backup cannot be used. Read About encrypted backups on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch before choosing this option.
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).
Before you hand over the iPhone
- Confirm the backup finished and that its date and time are recent enough for your needs.
- If you used iCloud, confirm the backup appears in the iCloud Backup screen; if you used a computer, allow the backup process to finish before disconnecting.
- If you encrypted a computer backup, make sure you can retrieve its password when it is time to restore.
- Do not assume the service provider will preserve the phone’s contents. Apple says an iPhone returned after service might have been erased.
Apple does not say every serviced iPhone will be erased; whether it happens depends on the service situation. An existing iCloud or computer backup gives you a recovery option if the phone comes back erased.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRestore if the iPhone is erased
You can restore from an iCloud or computer backup, or set the iPhone up as a new device. Restoring from iCloud requires Wi-Fi; cellular service cannot be used for the restore. The time required depends on backup size and Wi-Fi speed. If the iPhone has already been set up, Apple says it must be erased before restoring an iCloud backup.
If you set up the iPhone as new and later decide to restore an older backup, act carefully: Apple warns that backups created after setting it up as new can overwrite older saved iCloud backups. Restore from the prior backup as soon as possible if you need it. Apple’s restore guidance is available at Restore all content to iPhone from a backup; for restore problems, see If restore from iCloud backup failed.
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.
