The short answer: turn on the backup that’s built into your device and let it run on its own.
- iPhone or iPad: Settings > your name > iCloud > iCloud Backup, then turn on Back Up This iPhone (Apple).
- Android: Settings > Google > All services > Backup, then turn Backup on (Google).
- Windows PC: open the Windows Backup app and turn on your folders (Microsoft).
- Mac: plug in an external drive and set it up in Time Machine (Apple).
A backup is a copy of your information you can use if your device is ever lost, damaged or replaced (Apple).
iPhone and iPad: iCloud Backup
- Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
- Tap iCloud, then iCloud Backup.
- Turn on Back Up This iPhone (or iPad).
- To make the first backup now, connect to Wi-Fi and tap Back Up Now. Stay on Wi-Fi until it finishes (Apple).
After that, your iPhone backs itself up when it’s plugged in, on Wi-Fi and locked, which usually means overnight while it charges (Apple). The date and time of the last backup appear under Back Up Now. If you see a message that there isn’t enough iCloud storage, follow the steps on screen to buy more (Apple). iCloud includes 5 GB free, and iCloud+ plans add more (Apple).
Android: back up to your Google Account
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Google, then All services, then Backup (under “Backup and restore”).
- Choose what to back up: Photos & videos, Device data, or both.
- Turn Backup on (Google).
The first backup can take up to 24 hours. When it’s done, “On” appears under the items you chose (Google). Google recommends using a PIN, pattern or password screen lock to help protect your backup (Google). Your Google Account includes up to 15 GB of free storage, shared with Gmail, Drive and Google Photos (Google).
Windows PC: Windows Backup
- Sign in to Windows with a personal Microsoft account (Settings > Accounts > Your info). Work or school accounts won’t work.
- Select Start, type backup, and open Windows Backup.
- Expand Folders and turn on Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos and Music (Microsoft).
Your folders sync to OneDrive, so they’re available again when you sign in on a new PC. A free Microsoft account includes 5 GB of OneDrive storage, and you can buy more (Microsoft). Still on Windows 10? See best laptops for seniors for what Windows 10’s end of support means.
Mac: Time Machine
- Plug in an external USB or Thunderbolt drive. Apple suggests one with at least twice your Mac’s storage, used only for Time Machine.
- From the Apple menu, choose System Settings, click General, then Time Machine.
- Click Add Backup Disk, select the drive and click Set Up Disk. If you turn on Encrypt Backup, write the backup password down somewhere safe. You’ll need it to restore (Apple).
Your Mac starts backing up right away and then runs automatically: hourly for the past 24 hours, daily for the past month and weekly before that (Apple). These steps are for macOS Ventura 13 or later.
Check once a month that it’s working
- iPhone: the last backup time under Settings > your name > iCloud > iCloud Backup (Apple).
- Android: “On” under the data types in Backup settings (Google).
- Mac: the Time Machine menu in the menu bar shows the latest backup (Apple).
- Windows: open Windows Backup and check that your folders are still on.
Don’t fall for fake “storage full” messages
Only buy more storage from your device’s Settings, never from a link in an email or text. The FTC warns that messages saying your cloud storage is full or your photos will be deleted are often phishing. Check your storage in the official app or website instead of clicking (FTC). See how to spot fake emails and phishing. A strong password protects your backups too. See how to create a safe password.
Questions people ask about backups
How much does backing up cost?
It can be free to start. iCloud includes 5 GB free (Apple), a Google Account includes 15 GB shared across Gmail, Drive and Photos (Google), and a Microsoft account includes 5 GB of OneDrive (Microsoft). Many people need to buy more storage once photos add up.
Do my photos get backed up?
On iPhone, if iCloud Photos is on, your photos are already stored in iCloud and aren’t part of the iCloud Backup (Apple). On Android, you can choose Photos & videos, Device data, or both (Google).
Can I use my backup to set up a new phone?
Yes. That’s the main reason to have one (Apple). On Android, you can’t restore a backup from a newer Android version onto a phone running an older one (Google).
How often does Time Machine back up?
Hourly for the past 24 hours, daily for the past month, and weekly for older months (Apple).
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