Apple Backup Drive

Decide which method is best for you

Apple Time Machine Backup Drive
Apple Backup To External Drive

This article can help you decide which backup method is best for you. In case you ever need an alternative backup, you can make a backup in iCloud and another using your computer.

iCloud

By now, you probably know that your iPhone secretly tracks and stores the locations you've visited in a backup folder on your computer's hard drive. The files are unencrypted, which means anyone with access to your computer or device can retrieve the information, which is downright scary. Backup iPhone to external hard drive. For those who backup via iTunes/Finder, the journey isn't finished. Now it's time to backup iPhone to USB drive, an external hard drive that won't affect your storage on Mac. This should be done very carefully.

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When the drive and the Mac support USB 3.0, speeds can be 10 times faster than USB 2.0. Available through a USB Type-C connection, USB 3.1 enables data transfer speeds double USB 3.0. Developed by Intel in collaboration with Apple, Thunderbolt technology transmits data and display signals in both directions at the same time using the same cable.
Backup your Mac with a portable or desktop hard drive. Safekeep all of your music, photographs, movies and more. Buy online with fast, free shipping.

Stores backups in iCloud
Offers up to 2TB of storage (your first 5GB are free)
Always encrypts your backups
Lets you create and use backups from anywhere with Wi-Fi

Computer

Stores backups on your Mac or PC
Storage depends on your Mac or PC's available space
Offers encrypted backups (off by default)
Lets you create and use backups from your Mac or PC

Learn how to make a backup or restore your device from a backup.

iCloud backups

With a Wi-Fi network connection, you can make a backup of your device using iCloud. You don’t need to plug your device into a computer or even be at home to back up with iCloud.

iCloud backups include nearly all data and settings stored on your device. iCloud backups don't include:

Data that's already stored in iCloud, like Contacts, Calendars, Notes, iCloud Photos, iMessages, Voice Memos, text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messages, and Health data
Data stored in other cloud services, like Gmail and Exchange mail
Apple Mail data
Apple Pay information and settings
Face ID or Touch ID settings
iCloud Music Library and App Store content (If it's still available in the iTunes, App, or Apple Books store, you can tap to re-download your already purchased content.)

Learn how to make an iCloud backup or how to manage iCloud storage and delete backups that you no longer need.

When you use Messages in iCloud, Health data on iOS 12 or later, or Voice Memos, your content is automatically stored in iCloud. If you turn on iCloud Photos, your content is also automatically stored in iCloud.

Backups from your computer

A computer backup of your device, which is not the same as a sync, includes almost all of your device's data and settings. A backup from a computer doesn't include:

Content from the iTunes and App Stores, or PDFs downloaded directly to Apple Books
Content synced from Finder or iTunes, like imported MP3s or CDs, videos, books, and photos
Data already stored in iCloud, like iCloud Photos, iMessages, and text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messages
Face ID or Touch ID settings
Apple Pay information and settings
Apple Mail data
Activity, Health, and Keychain data (to back up this content, you'll need to use Encrypted Backup in iTunes.)

Learn how to make a backups from your computer, how to find them on your Mac or PC, and how to delete backups that you no longer need.

Can I use my device's backup for another kind of device, like an iPhone backup for an iPad?

You can restore a device from a backup of another kind of device, like using an iPad backup for an iPhone, but certain types of content won't transfer. This content includes photos, Messages and attachments in Messages, Voice Memos, and apps that aren't compatible with the device that you’re setting up. For example, apps compatible only with iPad won't transfer to your iPhone.

If your devices use iCloud and Messages in iCloud, your iMessages and text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messages are automatically stored in iCloud.

Learn more

Make a backup of your device or restore from a backup.
Manage your iOS and iPadOS backups.
Encrypt backups using your computer.
Back up your Apple Watch.

Backing up your Mac is simple and important. We recommend it for everyone.

Back up with Time Machine

Time Machine is the built-in backup feature of your Mac. It’s a complete backup solution, but you can use other backup methods as well.

Create a backup

Store files in iCloud

You can also use iCloud and iCloud Drive to store files, such as your photos, documents, and music.

Set up iCloud and iCloud Drive

Restore your Mac from a backup

When you have a backup, you can use it to restore your files at any time, including after the original files are deleted from your Mac.

Apple Time Machine Backup Drive

Restore from a backup

Prepare your Mac for service

Making a backup is an important part of preparing your Mac for service, especially because some types of repair might require erasing or replacing your hard drive.

Get your Mac ready for service

How much space do I need for a backup?

To see the size of a specific file or folder, click it once and then press Command-I. To see storage information about your Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left of your screen. Choose About This Mac and click the Storage tab. For Time Machine backups, it's good to use a drive that has at least twice the storage capacity of your Mac.

macOS Community

If you can't back up your Mac

We'll find the best support options for you.

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