Backup iPhone automatically using iTunes

happyindian wrote:

Hello,

Is there a option to automatically backup the iPhone when plugged into a windows laptop and is connected to iTunes? I can see the manual backup option but it would be good to know if there an automated option. If I can schedule when the backups need to happen that's even better.

Thanks,

HI

How to back up your devices using iCloud or iTunes - Apple Support

There is no scheduling, however this is box you can check to have it automatically backup to iTunes when phone plugged in refer to the above link

If you connect the device to the computer and iTunes and perform a sync, that will initiate an automatic backup at that time. So, a backup is created in iTunes each time you sync the phone. While you noticed you can do a manual, that allows you to do one anytime you want when the device is connected, maybe after making some changes and after an initial daily backup.

happyindian wrote:

Thanks Razmee209 for reply back! I had referred to the link you provided before posting the question, I did not find where it states the box I need to check for automatic backup. Can you please share a screeshot or something? Thanks again!

HI.

If you don't need to save your Health and Activity data, you can make a backup that isn't encrypted. Just click Back Up Now. If you're using Windows click File > Devices > Back up (if you don't see a File menu, hold down the Control and B keys).

If you enable iTunes wifi backups, leave your computer on and iTunes running in the background, then your devices will automatically backup once every 24hrs whenever they are connected on the same wifi network and the iDevice is plugged in to external power.

happyindian wrote:

Razmee209, Thanks for the reply back, maybe I am missing the point but if I go to File > Devices > Back up there is an option to click 'Backup' and the device gets backed up. I did not see see an option to check a box that will automatically backup the device. I am attaching a screenshot of my iTunes as it sits now. Can you let me know where I need to go to check the box?

Thanks,

HI

yes, we're on the same page, you have the phone to automatically back up to iTunes, when you sync your phone .

Is this not what you want?

happyindian wrote:

Yes that's what I want, maybe I am being thrown off by the 'Latest Backup' time stamp since it always shows the last time the phone was manually backed up.

Currently in my case the Latest Backup time stamp is 13th April 2016 12:53 pm and as the iTunes is set right now you are saying it will be synced and backed up the next time I plug in the phone. Lets assume this happens tomorrow morning so technically the laptop will have a backup till tomorrow morning correct? If I need to restore my phone for any reason the only restore point I see is from when the phone was manually backed up hence I am confused.

I apologize I might be over complicating a simple question but I need to be absolutely sure that the phone is automatically backed up when ever it is connected.

Thanks,

HI

unlike an icloud backup, which keeps the 3 latest backup, iTunes only keeps one, so if you sync everyday, iTunes will override the last backup when you sync your phone.

so if you sync yesterday it will backup your phone, if you sync again today, it will remove yesterday backup with today backup.

does that make sense?

iTunes normally maintains one rolling backup for each device. If you're backing up to your computer this backup will be updated during the first sync in any calendar day or when you trigger it manually. In theory if you enable automatic sync on connection then your phone will be backed up and updated with the latest content in your library each time you plug it in. This however leaves you at a potential disadvantage if you only realise too late that something is missing that you want to recover, because the backup may already be updated. My personal preference is to sync manually when I'm certain that the effects are going to be as I wish them. For example I have multiple libraries for testing and it wouldn't do to sync with the wrong one. I backup reasonably often to two separate computers which is probably enough for my needs, not least because most of the important data is already secured on an Exchange server. In other circumstances I might choose to use the automatic iCloud backup and then take additional manual backups at a computer. Regarding the rolling backup Mac users have a feature which allows them to make dated snapshots of their current backup. In Windows this can be achieved manually with a little hacking around in the backup folder but otherwise happens automatically when a backup is used for a restore. It is probably good practice to keep at least one or two older restore points in case the most recent won't work when you need it.

tt2

There is an option under Edit > Preferences > Devices to Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically. If that option is turned off then on the device's summary page there is an option to Automatically sync when this device is connected. If Automatically backup to this computer is also selected then when you connect the device it should backup and sync provided the computer is also trusted.

I'm just trying it out myself to make sure it works as advertised, which it seems to, as long as iTunes is already running. I'm sure there used to be another option that would force iTunes to open when a device is connected, but I don't seem to be able to find that one any more.

tt2