I can't backup my iPhone. It keeps trying to setup as a new one

Hi lukefromtanah,

It sounds like you're trying to backup through iTunes, because iPhone wouldn't give the option to set up as a new phone unless you were restoring it not back it up. If you're connecting iPhone to iTunes and you choose "set up as new phone," it won't erase the phone. It'll just ask you to name the phone, and then you'll have the option to back it up. This article may be helpful: How to back up your devices using iCloud or iTunes - Apple Support