How to Back Up iPhone or iPad to iMac or MacBook

Added: 2026-05-28

[00:00:00]I’m Max Dalton, and in this video,  I’ll show you how to back up your iPhone or iPad directly to your  iMac or MacBook using Finder.

[00:00:09]Step 1. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your  Mac using a USB or USB-C cable. Click "Allow" if you're asked if you want to allow  this iPhone to connect to your Mac.

[00:00:22]Step 2. Open Finder on your Mac.  Under the Locations section, click on the name of your iPhone or iPad.  If this is your first time connecting, you’ll see a prompt on your Mac asking to  trust the device. Click "Trust." You will also need to tap Trust on your iPhone  or iPad screen and enter your passcode.

[00:00:44]Step 3. In the main Finder window, ensure  the General tab is selected at the top.

[00:00:51]Step 4. Look for the Backups section.

[00:00:54]Select the button next to "Back up all  of the data on your iPhone to this Mac."

[00:01:00]Step 5. Click "Back Up Now." MacOS will  begin creating a full snapshot of your device. You can see the progress  bar at the bottom of the window.

[00:01:11]You can see your iPhone or iPad  backups on your Mac by clicking "Manage Backups" in the Backups section.  A window opens where you can see a list of your backups. If you ever want  to delete a backup from your Mac, all you need to do is click one of the backups  in this window, and then click "Delete."

[00:01:31]If you want your backup to include sensitive data  like your Health information, saved passwords, and Wi-Fi settings, you must check the box  for Encrypt local backup. You’ll be asked to create a password for the backup.  Just make sure you don't forget this password. Without it, you will never be  able to restore that specific backup!

[00:01:54]And finally, once you’ve connected  your phone via cable at least once, you can make future backups wireless. While  still in the General tab of the Finder window, scroll down to the Options section and check  the box for "Show this iPhone when on Wi-Fi."

[00:02:10]Click Apply. Now, as long as your iPhone and Mac  are on the same Wi-Fi network, your phone will show up in Finder automatically, and you can  hit "Back Up Now" without needing the cable.

[00:02:23]Let me know if this video helped you secure your  data in the comments below. If you liked what you saw here, click the video links on the right side  of the screen to check out another video, or click the logo on the left side of the screen to check  out my tutorial website at www.maxdalton.how.