How to Backup iPhone on Mac – A Complete Roundup in 2022

The process for backing up iPhone on Mac has changed dramatically in those years. Many methods are not longer available on the latest macOS such as Monterey or Ventura. In addition, some of iPhone backup software are not working on Apple M1 or M2 Mac. That’s why we made our mind to write a full tutorial to let you know how to backup iPhone on Mac in 2022.

Why You Should Backup Your iPhone?

As an iPhone user, you know how important it is to keep your device backed up. Whether you use iCloud or iTunes, backing up your iPhone regularly is crucial to protecting your data in case of loss or damage.

There are many reasons why backing up your iPhone is important. For one, it helps you keep your data safe in case your device is lost or stolen. If you have a backup, you can easily restore your data to a new device.

Backing up your iPhone also protects your data in case of hardware failure. If your device experiences a hardware failure, you can restore your data from a backup to a new device.

Finally, backing up your iPhone helps you keep your data organized. If you switch to a new device, you can easily restore your data from a backup. This way, you don’t have to start from scratch with a new device.

Backing up your iPhone is a simple and easy way to protect your data. By backing up regularly, you can ensure that your data is safe in case of loss or damage.

Cloud Backup vs Local Backup

There are many different ways to back up your iPhone, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Cloud backup is a popular option because it offers convenience and flexibility, but it’s not always the best choice. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of cloud backup (iCloud) vs local backup (iTunes).

Cloud backup has several advantages over local backup. First, it’s more convenient. You can access your data from anywhere, and you don’t have to worry about losing your backups if your computer crashes. Second, cloud backup is usually more affordable than local backup. You don’t have to buy any extra hardware, and you can often get more storage for your money. Finally, cloud backup is more reliable. Local backups can fail if your computer crashes or if you accidentally delete your backups.

There are also some disadvantages to cloud backup. First, it can be slower than local backup. It can take a long time to upload all your data to the cloud, and you may need to pay for a faster internet connection. Second, cloud backup is less private. Your data is stored on someone else’s servers, and they could potentially access it. Finally, cloud backup can be less reliable. If the cloud service goes down, you won’t be able to access your data.

So, which is better? It depends on your needs. If you want convenience and flexibility, cloud backup is a good choice. If you’re looking for speed and privacy, local backup is a better option.

Complete Backup vs Partial Backup

When it comes to backing up your iPhone, you have two main options: a full backup or a partial backup. So, which one is right for you?

A full backup of your iPhone includes all of your data, settings, and app data. This means that if you restore from a full backup, you will be exactly where you left off. A partial backup, on the other hand, only includes some of your data. This can be useful if you just want to back up your contacts, photos, or other important data, but don’t want to backup your entire device.

There are pros and cons to both full and partial backups. A full backup is a complete snapshot of your device, so you can be confident that everything will be restored if you need to. However, a full backup can take up a lot of space, so you may need to delete other files from your device to make room. A partial backup is smaller and can be useful if you’re low on storage, but you won’t be able to restore your entire device from a partial backup.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to perform a full or partial backup of your iPhone is up to you. If you’re not sure which option is right for you, you can always consult with an expert to get advice on the best way to backup your device.

How to Backup iPhone on Mac with iCloud

The first and probably easiest way to back up your iPhone to Mac is using iCloud. It is a cloud-based storage service from Apple that comes with every iPhone. It’s designed to make it easy to back up and sync your data between all your Apple devices, and it’s free to use up to a certain amount of storage.

The process of backing up to iCloud is relatively simple and straightforward, but there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, it is important to make sure that you have a stable internet connection before beginning the backup process. Additionally, keep in mind that iCloud backups can take some time to complete, so be patient and do not interrupt the process once it has begun.

Backing up iPhone on Mac with iCloud is an easy task that can be done directly from your device. Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen.
3. Tap iCloud.
4. Tap the switch next to iCloud Backup to turn it on.
5. Tap Back Up Now to start the backup process.

That’s it! Your iPhone will now backup to iCloud automatically whenever it’s connected to a power source and Wi-Fi.

How to Backup iPhone on Mac without iTunes (in Finder)

As of October 2020, Apple has discontinued iTunes for Mac. This means you can only use iTunes app on old Mac before Catalina. For modern Macs running macOS Catalina and later (Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura), you might see a message that says "iTunes has been replaced by Finder." This is because Apple is now splitting iTunes into three separate apps: Music, Podcasts, and TV. And the backup feature of iTunes is now replaced by Finder, the default file manager app on Mac.

The Finder app is now able to create a full backup for iPhone on Mac, including your contacts, photos, and app data. The backup process may take a few minutes to complete, depending on the amount of data on your iPhone. Once the backup is complete, you can safely disconnect the iPhone from your Mac.

Backing up your iPhone on a Mac is a simple process that can be done using the Finder app. Here’s how:

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a Lightning cable.

2. Open the Finder app on your Mac.

3. Click on the Devices tab in the sidebar.

4. Select your iPhone in the list of devices.

5. Click on the Backup button in the toolbar.

6. Choose whether to encrypt your backup and enter a password if you want to.

7. Click on the Back Up Now button to start the backup process.

Your iPhone will now be backed up to this Mac.

How to Backup iPhone on Mac with iTunes (before Catalina)

Backing up your iPhone to your Mac is a great way to keep a local copy of your data in case you need to restore your device. There are a few different ways to backup your iPhone, but using iTunes is one of the most popular and convenient options. In this article, we’ll show you how to backup  iPhone on Mac using iTunes.

Note: iTunes app is now only available on Macs running an old version of macOS (before Catalina).

Instructions:

1. Make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer.

2. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using the included USB cable.

3. Launch iTunes and select your iPhone from the list of devices.

4. Click on the "Summary" tab and then click on the "Back Up Now" button.

5. iTunes will start backing up your iPhone, and you’ll see a progress bar indicating the status of the backup.

6. Once the backup is complete, you can click on the "Done" button to close the window.

How to Backup iPhone on Mac Using Apps (More Flexible)

Another popular method is to use third-party iPhone backup software. This software can be installed on your computer and will allow you to backup iPhone data to computer’s hard drive. It it a more convenient way to backup iPhone to Mac, as you can access it from your computer at any time.

There are a few different third-party iPhone backup software options available, so it’s important to choose one that’s right for you. Some things to consider include ease of use, price, and features.

FoneTrans is a professional data backup app that works perfectly on Mac. It can transfer photos, music, contacts, messages, notes, calendars, and more between iPhone and Mac. The transfer can be done mutually so this is a more flexible backup solution than iTunes and iCloud. Mostly importantly, it supports both Intel and M1 Mac and fully compatible for various macOS, ranging from the old Catalina to the latest Ventura.

FoneTrans is very easy to use. You can backup iPhone data to Mac with just a few clicks.  In this blog post, we’ll show you how to use FoneTrans to backup iPhone on a Mac.

Step 1: Download and install FoneTrans on your Mac.

Step 2: Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable.

Step 3: Once FoneTrans has detected your iPhone, click on the "Backup" button.

Step 4: Select the data that you want to backup and click on the "Start" button.

Step 5: Once the backup process is completed, you will be able to view the backup file on your Mac.

Bonus: iMazing is another poplular iPhone backup software you can try out on your Mac. This software is designed to be easy to use, and it offers a variety of features such as the ability to backup and restore data, transfer data between devices, and manage apps. It also includes a free trial so you can try it before you buy it.

Video Tutorial: How to Backup iPhone on Mac Computer

Where iPhone Backup is Stored on Your Mac?

When you back up iPhone to a Mac, the backup file is located this folder:

~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/

The actual location of the MobileSync folder varies depending on which version of macOS you’re using.  If you’re not sure where your MobileSync folder is located, you can use the Finder to search for it.

To do this, open the Finder and then press the "Command" and "F" keys on your keyboard. This will open the Finder’s search window. In the search window, type "MobileSync" into the search bar and then press the "Enter" key. This should bring up the MobileSync folder in the search results.

How to Restore iPhone from Backup on Mac

You can easily restore lost data to iPhone if you made a backup previously. The actual steps varies depending on what kind of backup methods you are using. In here, we will take the Finder app for example, which is the most popular way to backup iPhone on Mac.

Below is a full tutorial on how to restore iPhone on Mac using Finder app:

1. Connect your iPhone to Mac using a Lightning cable.

2. Open the Finder on your Mac.

3. Select your iPhone in the Finder window.

4. Click the "Restore from Backup" button.

5. Select the backup you want to restore from the list that appears.

6. Click the "Restore" button.

Your iPhone will now be restored from the backup on your Mac.

Summary

There are a few different options available when it comes to choosing a solution to backup iPhone on Mac. One of the most popular choices is iCloud, which is a cloud-based storage service from Apple. iCloud allows you to backup your data wirelessly and access it from any device with an internet connection. Another popular choice is iTunes, which is a software application from Apple that can be used to backup and restore your iPhone data.

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive backup solution, there are also a number of third-party backup applications available. These applications typically offer more features and options than iCloud or iTunes, and can be a good choice if you want more control over your backup process. Some popular third-party backup applications include FoneTrans, iMazing, PhoneView, and CopyTrans Shelbee.

When choosing a backup solution for iPhone, it’s important to consider your needs and preferences. iCloud and iTunes are good choices for those who want a simple and straightforward backup solution, while third-party applications offer more features and options for those who want more control over their backup process.