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Backing up your phone

Turn on automatic backup: iCloud Backup on iPhone, Google backup on Android. Then if your phone is lost, stolen or broken, your photos and contacts aren't.

Easy10 min to doFree up to the storage limit

You'll need

  • Wi-Fi
  • Your Apple ID or Google account

Do it like this

  1. iPhone: Settings, tap your name, iCloud, iCloud Backup, and turn on Back Up This iPhone (Apple).
  2. Android: open Settings and turn on backup to your Google Account. Steps vary by phone and Android version (Google).
  3. Run one backup now and stay on Wi-Fi until it finishes. On iPhone, the last backup time shows under Back Up Now (Apple).
  4. Turn on your phone's find-my-device feature too (FTC).
Watch out. Free storage runs out. Google gives 15 GB at no charge (Google), and iCloud will warn you if there isn't enough space (Apple).

If it doesn't work

  • "Not enough storage"? Follow the on-screen steps to free space or buy more (Apple).
  • Backup stuck? On Android, the first backup can take up to 24 hours (Google). Leave it on Wi-Fi and charging overnight.
  • Switching phones? You can restore to some other Android phones, but not from a higher Android version onto a lower one (Google).

Good to know

Why bother

The FTC says to back up regularly so you keep your information if you lose your phone (FTC).

Lock your phone

Use at least a 6-digit passcode (FTC).

Not every app

Not all apps back up all their data. Check important ones (Google).

Sources

  1. Apple How to back up your iPhone or iPad with iCloud
  2. Google Back up or restore data on your Android device
  3. Federal Trade Commission How to protect your phone from hackers

Lesson T4.2 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed. See a mistake?