How to back up an iPhone to iCloud

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

An iCloud backup stores your settings, app data, messages, Home Screen layout and photos, if those are not already in iCloud Photos. With a backup you can set up a new or repaired iPhone exactly as the old one was.

Menu names are from iOS 26. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the screen, not screenshots.

Step by step

1. Connect to Wi-Fi and power

   Backups can be large. A charger keeps the phone awake until it finishes.

   Done

2. Open Settings and tap your name

   Your name is at the very top of Settings.

   Done

3. Tap iCloud, then iCloud Backup

   The page shows when the last backup was made.

   Done

4. Switch on Back Up This iPhone

   From now on the phone backs up by itself each night when it is locked, charging and on Wi-Fi.

   Done

5. Tap Back Up Now

   Stay on Wi-Fi until the time under the button changes to "Last successful backup" with the current time.

   Done

Good to know

Every Apple Account has 5 GB of free iCloud storage, which is often too little. The message "Not enough iCloud storage" means you need a paid plan or a smaller backup. Under iCloud, Manage Storage, Backups, you can switch off large apps you do not need saved.

The free alternative is a backup to a computer: connect the iPhone to a Mac and use Finder, or to a PC with the Apple Devices app.

WhatsApp keeps its own backup: WhatsApp, Settings, Chats, Chat Backup.

In short: Settings, your name, iCloud, iCloud Backup, Back Up Now.