How-to

How to Back Up Your iPhone Before a Screen Repair

By Woman Wireless On The Go ·

To back up your iPhone before a screen repair, connect to Wi-Fi and go to Settings › [your name] › iCloud › iCloud Backup › Back Up Now. No iCloud space? Plug into a Mac and use Finder, or a Windows PC with the Apple Devices app or iTunes. A screen repair doesn't erase data, but a backup is cheap insurance.

Option 1: iCloud backup (easiest)

  1. Connect to Wi-Fi and plug the phone into power.
  2. Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
  3. Tap iCloud › iCloud Backup, then Back Up Now.
  4. Stay on Wi-Fi until it finishes. You'll see the time of the last successful backup underneath.

Not enough iCloud storage? You can upgrade temporarily, or use a computer instead.

Option 2: Back up to a Mac

  1. Connect your iPhone with a cable and open Finder.
  2. Select your iPhone in the sidebar (tap Trust on the phone if asked).
  3. Choose Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac, then Back Up Now.

Option 3: Back up to a Windows PC

Install the Apple Devices app (or iTunes on older Windows versions), connect your iPhone, select it, and choose Back Up Now.

Don't forget app-specific backups

  • WhatsApp backs up chats separately: WhatsApp › Settings › Chats › Chat Backup › Back Up Now.
  • Google Photos or other photo apps — make sure syncing is complete.
  • Two-factor authenticator apps — check they're synced or that you have recovery codes.

What if the screen barely works?

If touch is dead but the display shows something, plug into a computer the phone has trusted before — you may be able to back up without touching the screen. If the screen is completely black, don't worry: screen replacements don't touch your storage, so your data will be there once the new screen is in. Back up right after the repair.

Good to know: have your passcode ready for the repair visit so you can test Face ID, touch and cameras with the technician before she leaves.

Cracked screen? We come to you.

Certified woman technician · Milton & nearby · open 24/7. See our iphone screen repair service.

Frequently asked questions

Will a screen repair delete my data?

No. Replacing the screen doesn't affect your iPhone's storage. Backing up first is simply a good habit before any repair.

How long does an iCloud backup take?

The first backup can take a while depending on how much data you have and your Wi-Fi speed. Later backups only save what's changed and are much faster.

Can I back up an iPhone with a broken screen?

Often yes, if you connect it to a computer it has trusted before. If the screen is completely dead, back up straight after the repair — your data will still be there.

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