Even if you always have iCloud backups enabled, it is good to occasionally
create a Mac backup of all the files on the iPhone or iPad.Step-by-step Backup and sync iOS devices
1
Plugin the iPhone
Plug an iPhone or iPad into the Mac using
a USB cable and look in the sidebar for it. If you
don’t see it, go to Finder>Preferences>
Sidebar>CDs, DVDs and iOS Devices.2
Encrypt backups
Before using the iPhone backup feature
in Finder, select ‘Encrypt local backup’. Some
items are not backed up unless this is selected.
Enter a password and do not forget it!3
Back up your devices
Any number of iPhones and iPads can be
backed up. Just plug them in, select ‘Back up
all the data on your iPhone to this Mac’, and
click ‘Back Up Now’. It takes a few minutes.4
Remove old backups
If you recently upgraded your iPhone or
iPad to the latest model, there may be backups
stored from older devices. Click ‘Manage
Backups’ and show in Finder or delete them.7
Transfer purchases
Upgrading iPhones, iPads and Macs to
new models can sometimes get the music
library out of sync. Ctrl+click the iPhone or iPad
in the sidebar and select ‘Transfer Purchases’.5
Manually sync music
Some people like to manage their music
themselves rather than subscribe to Apple
Music. Select the Music tab and select the
artists or albums to add to the iPhone or iPad.8
Set music quality
Back in Finder, scroll down and for music
tracks you add yourself on the Mac, choose
the bit rate that they are to be converted to
when they are transferred to the iPhone.6
iDevices in Music
You may be surprised to discover that the
iPhone and iPad show up in the Apple Music
app. Select the device in the sidebar to see the
music tracks that are synced with it.9
Customise media syncs
Select each of the other tabs and check
that the options are set as you prefer. These
are for items you added to the Mac yourself,
rather than bought through Apple stores.