iPhone Backup

Apple makes it possible to transfer all of your data from an older iPhone directly to a new device. The entire process takes place wirelessly with both iPhones in close proximity to each other. While data can be transferred using other methods, such as a computer backup, the Quick Start method is simplest. Note that some data or apps will be downloaded from iCloud or the App Store directly when using this process.

Gone are the days of launching iTunes to back up an iPhone. Since the release of macOS Catalina, the Music app has taken its place. iOS device owners looking to back up their data locally must look elsewhere for a solution. Turns out Apple has moved the iPhone backup process to the Finder in macOS.

Mac users may have noticed there is no built-in way to change where macOS (formerly iTunes) writes backup information. This means every time an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch is backed up to the computer using Finder, it automatically uses the local drive. Rest assured, it is possible to tell your Mac to put backups on an external drive. Once the steps below are implemented, all iOS backup data will be saved to the new location.