Have questions about backing up your iPhone?
Have questions about backing up your iPhone?
I have an iPhone 13 mini that will probably need a battery swap. My older iPhone SE 1st generation has a worn-out battery and is essentially non-functional. I expect to replace its battery. I plan to purchase a new one. I only possess 5GB of free iCloud storage and never upgraded my plan. It seems to cost around $0.99 for 50GB or $2.99 for 200GB. I already have more than 50GB on my iPhone 13 mini. You should always back up your data before replacing the battery. I thought about swapping the battery on the SE, but the expense likely exceeds what I could get on eBay. Of course, the battery would be fully charged if it were new. My goal is to back up both devices using the same Apple ID and email address. I intend to first secure my older iPhone SE, which has used less than 40GB. After backing it up, I’ll reset it and test its performance—if it still doesn’t work, a factory reset might help. I want to preserve both phones. I’m unsure if syncing them afterward will improve their usability. My iPhone 13 mini is slow but still functional. It’s possible to use it without a new battery for some time, though the battery level is near 80%. I’m worried about losing data if I switch accounts or if something happens. I need to know how to safely back up each device without mixing files. Would using different email addresses on each phone be necessary? I recall that when I first got the iPhone 13 mini, I didn’t pay for iCloud at all and it still backed up my contacts. I think WhatsApp messages were saved too, except for WeChat chats. I remember having chat history from before the device. Do you have tips on setting this up properly? I’m also curious about how long it typically takes to back up 10GB with cable internet—so I can estimate backup times for larger files.
Avoid using iTunes on a computer via cable—it ensures complete backups without confusion. Edited November 4, 2025 by leclod
I haven't used iTunes in years. The last time I did was with my old Windows laptop XPS 15 9550. The laptop I use now is XPS 15 9520 and I haven't installed it yet. You mentioned that iTunes is preferred over iCloud, isn't it? Icloud seems simpler, but does it come with a monthly fee? My main worry is if malware exists on my iPhone, wouldn't transferring it to my Windows laptop be risky? That concern is valid.
Set up iTunes on your PC—it’s free and functions smoothly. You can also back up both your phones. This method is the most straightforward for managing an iPhone. Remember, it will occupy storage space on your computer until you delete the backups.
Probably. It depends on having everything secured. I haven’t used iTunes or MacOS backups for my iPhone before; I’ve only depended on iCloud, though I’m paying for the 50 gig capacity.
You can back up both iPhones even if they share the same Apple ID. Each device will store its own backup data. When you used to sync contacts and chat history, it was likely using the shared Apple ID for those services. After getting the new iPhone 13 Mini, your devices should have their own separate backups. If you want more space, consider upgrading to a higher plan or deleting unnecessary files.
Adjust your settings to iCloud. There should be an option labeled "Saved to iCloud." Clicking it will display all items you've saved there. Enable this for each item you wish to store. It seems this feature applies to both devices. With a 128 Gig model, I’m currently using over 50 Gigs. We’re utilizing 23 of the 50 Gigs available on iCloud. My setup includes four devices—my phone, Mac, and my parents’ iPhones—allowing easy sharing within the family. I might upgrade to the $2.99 plan soon. No idea yet.