Please back up your iPhone or iPad application is as simple as backing up contacts, messages, videos and music files. Although simple, the procedure on how to backup apps on iPhone / iPad may be slightly different than backing up other files.
There are basically two methods to backup apps on iPhone / iPad. Both of these methods are free, so you won’t have to worry about paying a single euro. However, we always suggest having a third-party program that allows us to back up apps efficiently on our PC or Mac too. Here is the index of the article:
- Part 1: Backup iPhone / iPad Apps for Free
- Part 2: Backup iPhone App Data to PC or Mac
- Part 3: Comparison of Methods Described (iTunes Vs dr.fone Backup)
Part 1: Backup iPhone / iPad Apps for Free
As a first method we will use iTunes to backup iPhone / iPad apps. It is recommended that you have an active iTunes account.
Step 1: Launch iTunes
To back up your apps, you need to have an active iTunes account . Log into your account and connect your device to your computer via USB. Depending on how you’ve organized your iTunes account, you’ll get something that looks like the screenshot below.
Step 2: Open iPhone / iPad Apps
On the iTunes screen, locate the ” App ” icon under the ” Summary ” icon . Click on it to open a list of all the apps on your phone, as shown in the screenshot below. Be aware that the arrangement of the icons may differ from one version to another. At the top of the interface, click on the ” File ” tab . A drop-down menu will appear in which you will have to select the item ” Devices ” and then ” Transfer purchases from iPhone “.
Step 3: View Applications
A list of all your apps will be displayed on the interface as shown below.
Step 4: Move applications
From the list of apps, locate the app you want to save and right-click on it. A new menu of options will appear. Click on the “ Show in Finder ” tab as shown below.
Step 5: Create a backup plan
A new interface will open where you will be prompted to create a new backup folder where you can save your applications. You can create the backup folder anywhere on the device. The choice is yours. Repeat the same procedure for each app. In our example, for the “Capture Pilot” app we set the “Mobile Applications” folder. Applications will be saved there!
Part 2: Backup iPhone App Data to PC or Mac
dr.fone – iOS Data Backup & Restore is a great program that gives you the ability to backup your iPhone / iPad apps whenever you feel like it. As this program comes with a lot of features, the iOS data backup and restore function is what we will use if we want to backup apps and app data of our iOS device. For example, you can backup and selectively export Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Kik, Viber and many other photo, video and document apps.
Step 1: Install and launch dr.fone
To get started download and install the free demo version of dr.fone for iOS for PC or Mac:
Launch dr.fone on your computer. From the home screen, access the Backup & Restore function .
Step 2: Connect iPhone / iPad to computer
Once the new interface opens, connect your iPhone to the computer using its USB cable.
Step 3: Confirm data to be backed up
Select the “ iOS Data Backup and Restore ” option to start the backup process. A new interface will appear with a list of all your files. Check the box next to “Messages and attachments”, “WhatsApp and attachments”, “App photos”, “App videos”, “App documents” and “Photos”. Once you are satisfied with what you have selected, click on the “ Backup ” icon to start the backup process.
Step 4: Backup app
The time it takes to complete the backup process depends on the amount of data on your phone. Dr.fone also gives you the opportunity to monitor the backup process via its interface.
Once the backup process is finished, choose all the files and applications to save and click on the “Export to PC” icon at the bottom of the screen.
That’s all!
Part 3: Comparison of iTunes and dr.fone Backup
While both of these methods are great for backing up your iPhone / iPad apps and data, there is a noticeable difference between them.
In the first method (the one using iTunes), you need to have an active iTunes account to create a backup plan. While this method is free for all iTunes and Apple users, for other users it can be a bit problematic and not intuitive. In our second approach, we only need to install an external program to create a backup instead. This second method is simpler and more intuitive to use than the first method.
The security of your data is not guaranteed in the first method compared to the second method. We can attribute this to the fact that we have heard of hacking incidents affecting a good number of Apple users. In such situations, some users end up losing their valuable data.
In the first method, you need to move one app at a time; with dr.Fone instead all the apps are moved at the same time.
The data backup is undoubtedly a must for any person operating a smartphone and more specifically an iPhone or iPad. Those who fail to create a backup plan almost always end up losing their most valuable files.
In this article, we have clearly seen the importance and two methods for backing up iPhone apps and data. From the above two methods on how to backup iPhone apps, it’s clear that the procedures don’t require great tech skills. Try it too!
