What to Backup Before Changing iPhones?
Switching to a new iPhone can be an exciting experience, but the process can become stressful if your important data doesn’t follow you to your new device. With every message, photo, app, and setting stored on your current iPhone, a thoughtful backup strategy ensures that nothing is lost during the transition. Whether you’re upgrading to a newer model or simply replacing a faulty one, preparing a complete backup is a critical step. While iCloud makes the process seamless for many users, there are additional data categories that often go unnoticed. Taking the time to back up your iPhone properly guarantees a smoother handoff to your new device and minimizes the need to hunt down lost files or reconfigure your preferences later.
Why Backing Up Your iPhone Matters
Changing iPhones without a proper backup can result in significant data loss. From precious memories in your photo library to saved game progress and login credentials, every element contributes to the smooth experience you’ve curated on your current iPhone. Without backing up, apps may be reinstalled without the settings you fine-tuned, and critical personal or business information can disappear. Backing up ensures that everything—from your wallpaper to your banking app's Face ID—is ready on your new iPhone the moment you activate it.
Additionally, a backup protects you in case your old iPhone becomes inaccessible or encounters issues during the transfer. Whether you’re syncing via iCloud, Finder, or iTunes, a full backup is your safety net, preserving the integrity of your digital life and making your transition seamless.
iCloud vs Local Backup: Which One Is Better?
When preparing to switch iPhones, users typically choose between iCloud backups and local backups via Finder or iTunes. Each method has its benefits, depending on your preferences, internet speed, and storage availability.
iCloud backups are wireless and automatic, syncing your data each time your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi and power. This method is ideal for users who prefer a hands-off approach and want accessibility to their backup from anywhere. However, it may be limited by storage restrictions unless you've upgraded your iCloud plan.
Local backups, on the other hand, are faster and more comprehensive. Backing up to a computer via Finder (on macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (on Windows or older macOS versions) allows you to save everything—including data from apps not supported by iCloud. It also provides encryption options for saving passwords and Health data, which iCloud backs up automatically only if enabled.
Choosing the right backup method depends on how much data you have, your available storage, and how urgently you need to restore it to your new device.
What You Should Always Back Up
There are essential data categories that must be backed up before switching iPhones. Your photos and videos, for example, often occupy the most storage. Ensuring that they are synced to iCloud Photos or stored on your computer can help preserve years of memories. Messages, including SMS and iMessages, also contain vital personal and business communications. These are stored in iCloud or locally, depending on your settings.
Apps and app data, such as progress in games or saved settings in productivity tools, need to be included in the backup. Additionally, your contacts, calendars, notes, Safari bookmarks, and passwords should all be preserved to avoid re-entering them manually. It’s also wise to back up your device settings, like Wi-Fi passwords and accessibility configurations, which can save hours of setup time.
If you rely on Wallet for boarding passes, tickets, or Apple Pay cards, these will also be included in a full backup. Health and Fitness data, especially if you use an Apple Watch, must be encrypted if you’re backing up locally.
Preparing Your iPhone for Backup
Before initiating the backup process, you should tidy up your iPhone by deleting unnecessary apps, photos, and files. This decluttering step not only reduces the size of your backup but also ensures that only relevant data is transferred to your new device.
Next, verify that all important apps and content are updated and functioning correctly. Sometimes, apps may store critical files locally that aren't included in the backup unless properly synced to the cloud. Check app settings to make sure they’re saving content to iCloud or another cloud-based service if needed.
For iCloud users, head to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap “Back Up Now.” Ensure that you’re connected to Wi-Fi and have enough iCloud storage to accommodate the backup. If backing up through a computer, connect your iPhone via USB, launch Finder or iTunes, and choose “Back Up Now,” making sure to select “Encrypt local backup” if you want to include Health and password data.
Handling Media and Files Outside of iCloud
Not everything on your iPhone is automatically backed up by iCloud, especially if you don’t have iCloud Drive turned on. Files saved in third-party apps like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive should be synced to their respective cloud platforms before changing devices. Similarly, downloaded videos, music, or podcasts that aren’t stored in the Apple ecosystem must be manually transferred or re-downloaded.
If you use a DSLR camera or another phone to import media directly into your iPhone via external storage, these files might reside only in your Photos app. Make sure to confirm that they’ve been included in your iCloud Photos or manually exported to your computer before changing iPhones.
Music libraries managed outside of Apple Music, including MP3s transferred via iTunes, may require syncing again from your computer. If you’ve recorded voice memos or used third-party apps for recording interviews or lectures, those files should be individually exported or confirmed as backed up.
Protecting App Data and Login Credentials
Many apps store login credentials, files, and user settings locally on your iPhone. Without a proper backup, you might be forced to reconfigure everything from scratch. Password managers like 1Password or LastPass are typically cloud-based and require only a master password to restore data, but other apps might not be so convenient.
Banking and finance apps often log you out for security when you switch devices. Although this is standard behavior, having a secure backup of credentials or ensuring that your Face ID/Touch ID is set up on the new device quickly can prevent access delays.
If you use two-factor authentication (2FA) apps like Google Authenticator or Authy, transferring those codes is especially important. Authy, for example, allows multi-device syncing, while Google Authenticator requires a manual transfer process. Backing these up ahead of time is crucial to avoid being locked out of important services after switching phones.
Don’t Forget Apple Watch Data
If you own an Apple Watch, changing your iPhone requires additional steps to preserve Watch-related data and ensure a seamless pairing with your new phone. Your Apple Watch backups are created automatically and stored on your iPhone. When you unpair the watch from your current iPhone, it triggers an automatic backup.
This backup includes settings, app layout, watch faces, and synced health data. To prepare, unpair your Apple Watch manually before backing up your iPhone. When you set up your new device, you can restore the watch backup and resume using your Apple Watch without having to start from scratch.
Keep in mind that some data, such as workout history or goals, may only be restored if the backup is encrypted. This is another reason to consider using a computer-based encrypted backup rather than relying solely on iCloud.
Ensuring a Smooth Transfer After Backup
Once you’ve completed your backup, whether via iCloud or your computer, you’re ready to set up your new iPhone. During the initial setup, Apple provides the option to restore from an iCloud backup, transfer directly from your old iPhone, or restore from a Mac or PC.
For the quickest experience, use the Quick Start feature by placing your old iPhone next to the new one. This enables data transfer via Wi-Fi or a cable and brings over nearly all your settings and content. However, if you’re restoring from a backup created hours or days earlier, ensure nothing new has been added to your old iPhone since then.
Once your new iPhone is set up, go through all apps to verify that content and settings have been restored. Login to essential services, check the Photos app, review your messages, and confirm Wallet and Apple Pay are working. This final review guarantees everything survived the transition and your iPhone is ready for use.
Why It’s Important to Back Up Before Visiting a Repair Center
Many users don’t consider backup a priority unless their phone is lost or stolen. However, even during hardware service—such as screen replacement or battery repair—data loss is possible if something goes wrong. Preparing a full backup before visiting any repair shop protects your valuable information and settings.
This becomes especially important when visiting a third-party service for repairs. While professionals are careful, there's always a risk of system resets or device issues during hardware service. If you’re visiting for iPhone Repair in North Miami, ensuring your data is securely backed up is the first step in protecting your digital content.
Backing up gives you peace of mind that even if your device needs to be wiped or replaced, your data, memories, and work are safe and restorable.
If your iPhone has a cracked screen, won’t hold a charge, or refuses to power on — we’ve got you covered. At Mobile Xpert North Miami repair center, we specialize in fast, professional iPhone repairs for all models, from iPhone 6 to the latest iPhone 15 Pro. Our certified technicians use high-quality replacement parts to restore your device to like-new condition, ensuring long-lasting results you can trust.