Does backup in iTunes also backup pictures and videos

Hi,

An iTunes backup will save nearly everything on the iPhone including pictures on the camera roll, just as long as the photos were not downloaded from the computer but taken directly from the iPhone's camera. For more info on backups, see About backups for iOS devices.

Cheers!

While photos and video are part of the backup, it is much better to import them to the computer, since there is always a chance something could go wrong, and I don't think you want to say that restoring the device lost all of those "tons of pictures". You can import them, leave them there and then backup. If there is a problem with the restore, at least you still have the photos.

About Backup and Restore

1. Choosing an iOS Backup Method (Should I Use iTunes or iCloud to back up ...)

2. Back up and Restore your iOS Device with iCloud or iTunes

3. iTunes: About iOS Backups

4. Create and Delete iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch Backups in iTunes

5. iOS: Troubleshooting Encrypted Backups

6. Find and manage your iTunes backups

7. iTunes- About iOS backups

8. If you need help restoring from an iTunes Backup

9. Restore your device from an iCloud or iTunes backup

10. About backups in iCloud and iTunes

Of particular interest should be Item 10 from the above that explains how iOS and iTunes backups differ. Normally, pictures are stored on the computer or in a Photos/iPhoto library rather than in iTunes or iOS because of storage space concerns. This is the same for videos. Both, however, can be stored in your iTunes library for syncing to your devices.

This articles implies that backups should include pictures & videos EXCEPT for photos already stored in the cloud, like My Photo Stream, and iCloud Photo Library:

About backups for iOS devices - Apple Support

I wish the Apple documentation was more specific about what IS included in a backup rather than what is NOT included.

Unless something has changed, pictures (taken on the phone) are backed up unless they are already backed up in iCloud.

See About backups for iOS devices - Apple Support

Excellent point.