How can I make local iOS/iPad backups only transfer changed files like iCloud backups?

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How can I make local iOS/iPad backups only transfer changed files like iCloud backups?

I have been creating backups of my iPhone on my computer so that I can still access my files years in the future if I lose my phone and lose access to my account. There is a problem with backing up files onto a PC, though, which is that, instead of only transferring the new/changed files relative to the previous backup, it transfers everything again, which can take quite a while. iCloud backups, in comparison, are much faster: they seemingly only transfer the deltas.

Is there any way to enable this for PC backups? Are there any third-party backup software that can do this?

It can mean the difference of hours, and enable people to keep local backups much more up-to-date.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Local iOS/iPad backup -- How to have it only patch changed files (like what iCloud backup does), instead of backing up everything again when a previous backup exists on the device?

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Jun 16, 2026 8:01 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 16, 2026 8:27 PM in response to __felix__

The short answer is no. I'm assuming you're using Apple Devices on a Windows computer? When you make a backup, it overwrites the previous backup and no, I don't believe there is any software you can use to alter this behavior. Keep in mind backups are not really archival. They are to ensure you don't lose the data you have on your phone in order to restore that data to a new or replacement device. If there are files you have on your phone you want to store for years to come, you'll need to use sync from Apple Devices to your computer, where you can store them and ultimately either use a 3rd party backup service, like for example Carbonite or move them to an SSD drive independently of your computer.

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Answer 2

__felix__ Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 17, 2026 11:06 PM in response to __felix__

Update: I found an open-source library that implements ways to talk to iDevices, including the backup API.

***

It looks well-written (not vibecoded), and is in pure C, which I prefer.

If I cannot find any backup programs that already do this and use that library, I will make my own program that backs up files in the speedy way that iCloud backup does, when I have the time.

I do have some doubts that it will work, though, because I remember from when i used iMazing that it didn't let me access individual apps' data unless I did a full backup. I'll see, though. Apple should really make their local backup system better if that is the case.

[Edited by Moderator]

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Answer 3

__felix__ Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 17, 2026 10:48 PM in response to lobsterghost1

I only consider a full phone backup viable as it backs up application data not visible to the Files app. 3rd party backup services are typically closed source and paid

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