Skipping Backups

We get it: not everyone has the extra cash to subscribe to iCloud+ so you can keep backing up your iPhone in the cloud. Unfortunately, no one misses backups until a phone is lost, stolen, or damaged. 

iCloud Backup keeps your photos, messages, app data, and settings safe in the cloud. A backup runs automatically when your iPhone is locked, charging, and on Wi-Fi (or cellular, if enabled), as long as it’s been at least 24 hours since the last one. This helps protect your data if you lose your iPhone or switch to a newer model.

You can also back up your iPhone to iCloud manually — here’s how:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on your name at the top.
3. Tap on iCloud.
4. Scroll down and tap on iCloud Backup.
5. Tap on Back Up Now.

If you’d rather not pay for iCloud, you can still back up your iPhone to your Mac or PC, but it’s less seamless — you have to remember to plug your iPhone in and do it manually.

Also note that if you’re switching iPhones, Apple offers temporary iCloud storage to make a one-time full backup and restore — even if you don’t subscribe to iCloud+.