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One of the most important tasks you should always do with your iPhone is to back it up. The device contains vital information that can be lost in the event of a mishap, malfunction, or theft. While backing up your iPhone to iCloud is one way to preserve your data, it is not always the most secure or convenient option. In this blog post, we will show you how to backup iPhone to external hard drive so you can have more control over your data and keep it safe.
The process of backing up iPhone to external hard drive is not only secure but also straightforward. It also ensures that your data is safe and easily accessible. So, if you want to know how to backup iPhone to external hard drive, it is a wise thing to do!
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed?
- An external hard drive with enough capacity to store your iPhone data
- An iPhone USB cable
- Your iPhone and a computer or laptop
What Requires Your Focus?
The process of backing up iPhone to external hard drive requires a bit of your undivided attention, especially when ensuring the external hard drive is compatible with your device. The process largely depends on the storage size of your iPhone and the capacity of your external hard drive. However, the process is as simple as following a few essential steps, as outlined in this blog post.
Different Methods to Backup iPhone to External Hard Drive
Method 1: Using Photos App on Mac
If you own a Mac computer, the Photos app is a suitable option to backup iPhone to external hard drive. It is especially convenient because it is built-in on your Mac and easily accessible. Here’s how to do it:
- Connect your external hard drive to your Mac and ensure it is readable by your Mac.
- Connect your iPhone to Mac with the USB cable.
- Open the Photos app on your Mac.
- Click ‘Import" in the app menu.
- Select your iPhone from the list of devices.
- Select the photos that you want to backup and click ‘Import Selected’.
- On the left sidebar of the Photos app, select the photos under Last Import and click on ‘File’.
- Select ‘Export’ and choose your external hard drive as the location to save it to.
Pros: It is a built-in app on Mac, making the process seamless, and it can back up photos, videos and other multimedia.
Cons: It is limited to Mac computers.
Method 2: Via Windows File Explorer
If you own a Windows computer, the process of backing up iPhone to external hard drive is relatively easy. Here is what to do:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable.
- Open the Windows File Explorer
- Select your iPhone from the list of devices on the left sidebar
- Right-click and select ‘Import pictures and videos’.
- Choose ‘Review, organize and group items to import’ and click ‘Next’.
- Select ‘Import settings’ and choose ‘Import all new items now’.
- Click ‘OK’ and select the external hard drive as the location to save files.
- Select ‘Import’ to start backing up your iPhone data to the external hard drive.
Pros: It is a built-in app on Windows and can backup various files like photos and videos.
Cons: Some settings may require adjustment, and it can be time-consuming with larger files.
Method 3: Using iTunes
iTunes is another way to backup your iPhone data to an external hard drive. Here is how to do it:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer with the USB cable
- Open iTunes on your computer
- Select your iPhone from the Devices list on iTunes.
- Click on ‘Back Up Now.’
- Navigate to ‘Preferences’ and click on ‘Devices’ on iTunes.
- Find the backup you just created, then control-click on the backup.
- Select ‘Show in Finder’ to locate the backup file on your computer.
- Copy the backup file from your computer to the external hard drive.
Pros: It is a relatively easy process, and it can backup all of your iPhone data including contacts, photos, videos and other multimedia.
Cons: It can be slow, especially if the size of your iPhone data is large. Also, iTunes can be slow and sometimes unreliable.
Method 4: Using iCloud to Backup Your iPhone Data
You can also use iCloud to back up your iPhone data and keep it stored safely and securely in the cloud. Here’s how to do it:
- Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi.
- Go to ‘Settings,’ then tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen.
- Select iCloud, then scroll down and tap ‘iCloud Backup.’
- Toggle on ‘iCloud Backup.’
- Tap ‘Back Up Now.’
- Make sure your iPhone stays connected to Wi-Fi until the backup process completes.
Pros: It is convenient, and you can access all your data on any device with your iCloud login.
Cons: Your backup may take up a lot of storage space on your iCloud account, which may require you to purchase more space.
Why Can’t I Backup iPhone to External Hard Drive?
While it is essential to backup your iPhone, it is not always possible to do so using an external hard drive. Here are some reasons why:
1. Compatible Issues
Some external hard drives may not be compatible with your iPhone, making it impossible to backup your data.
2. Lack of Storage Space
The size of your data may exceed the capacity of the external hard drive. Hence, you may need to upgrade to a bigger external hard drive.
3. Incompatible File Formats
If you’re trying to backup data with an incompatible file extension, you may encounter issues while trying to backup your iPhone data to an external hard drive.
How to fix:
One way to fix these issues is to ensure you have a compatible external hard drive, with sufficient storage space, and compatible file extensions. You may also need to update your iPhone software to ensure compatibility.
Implications and Recommendations
- Always ensure your external hard drive has enough space for your iPhone data.
- Regularly back up your iPhone data to avoid loss of important files and information.
- Ensure that your external hard drive is compatible with your iPhone.
5 FAQs About Backup iPhone to External Hard Drive
Q1: How do I know if my external hard drive is compatible with my iPhone?
A1: One way to check compatibility is to connect the device and check if it can access and read the external hard drive.
Q2: Can I use a cloud-based storage option like Dropbox or Google Drive to backup my iPhone data?
A2. Yes, cloud-based storage options are also viable alternatives for backing up your iPhone data, but you need to have a reliable internet connection.
Q3: What happens if I disconnect my iPhone from the computer while backing up my data?
A3: It may interrupt the backup process, which may cause you to lose data or corrupt your backup file in some cases.
Q4: Can I backup iPhone to multiple external hard drives?
A4. Yes, you can. You need to connect each external device to your computer and select it as a location for the backup.
Q5: How long does it take to backup iPhone to an external hard drive?
A5. The duration of the backup process depends on the size of the data and the speed of your computer. For larger files, it may take a few hours.
Final Words
Backing up your iPhone data to an external hard drive is a convenient and secure way to preserve your vital information. Regardless of the model you own, backing up your iPhone to an external hard drive is a clear and simple process. It’s essential to regularly back up your important data to ensure you don’t lose it in the event of a mishap, and this blog post has shown you how.