Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Guide: backup and restore apps, contacts, data, and photos

Did you just purchase the new iPhone 11 pro max? Or have you been using your iPhone 11 for a while and you are looking for a way to safely store your files? Well, you’ve come to the right place. First, let’s take a moment to understand what backup and restore is all about.

When we damage or lose our phones, almost everyone is more hurt by the loss of their personal data stored in their phones than the loss of the mobile phone itself. Data we store in our mobile phones can be pictures, contacts, documents, applications, videos, etc. most of these commemorate a memory which is important to us, that’s why we choose to save them.

Backup is simply saving and securing a copy of your files (apps, music, videos, contacts, etc.), and the current device settings present on our phone on external cloud storage. This keeps a copy of our entire data safe in case of damage, loss of our files, or lose of our phones as a whole. So when we repair or obtain a new phone, we simply restore (get back) our data back, it’s that easy!

There is two major backup storage for your iPhone. These are iCloud and iTunes. They serve the same purpose but they have differences.

iCloud backup process stores your data safely on the iCloud storage server while iTunes backup stores your data on your mac or pc. Both will save your content securely until you choose to retrieve them.

How to activate iCloud backup

Note: you need an active, Signed in ICloud account to be able to back up your phone data.

First of all, make sure you have a strong, stable Wi-Fi or data connection. Then proceed with these simple steps to successfully back up your data.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone 11 Pro Max.
2. Tap on your Apple ID at the top of the screen in settings.
3. Tap on the iCloud icon.
4. Tap on iCloud Backup.
5. Flip the screen switch next to iCloud Backup on.
6. Tap OK when prompted.

After successfully completing these steps, ICloud will automatically attempt to back up the contents on your iPhone device every 24 hours. These usually occur at night, ONLY if your iPhone is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.

How to instantly backup your files to your iCloud Account

If you already have the iCloud daily automatic backup active and you need to back up your files instantly, then follow these steps;

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap on your Apple ID icon at the top of the screen.
3. Tap on iCloud.
4. Tap on iCloud Backup.
5. Tap Back Up Now.

After completing these steps, your iPhone will instantly start to back up your content to your ICloud storage account.

Advantages of iCloud

• Your contents are safe and secure and can only be accessed by you.
• You don’t have to worry about changing iPhones. It’s easy getting your old files to your new phone.
• Files can be accessed anywhere as long as there is an internet connection.

Disadvantages of iCloud

• There is only 5GB free space.
• The backup process is time-consuming.
• Without an internet connection, you cannot access your backed up files.
• Anyone with access to your iPhone and password to your ICloud account can tamper with your files remotely.

How to backup your files to your Mac using iTunes

With iTunes, you get the options to back up a copy of all the files on your iPhone to your PC. You need an original iPhone cord for this process. You can store files locally on your computer instead of using iTunes. If you’re using a window-based computer, you can download and install iTunes on the iTunes website for free! Once you have iTunes installed, you can move on to the following steps.

Note: (Itunes does not require a WIFI connection)

Steps to activate iTunes Backup on your PC

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using the cable.
2. Open the iTunes icon.
3. Click on the Device icon next to the category dropdown menu on the left side of the iTunes window.
4. Select Summary from the sidebar.
5. Select this computer under Automatically Back up.
6. Tick the box for Encrypt [device] backup to ensure that your passwords, health, and Home Kit data is backed up. You’ll be demanded to create a password to protect your encrypted backups on your computer.
7. Click on Back up now to start the backup.
8. Click on done when you are finished with the backup process.

How to instantly back up your files on iTunes

iTunes backup automatically backs up any new file on your iPhone 11 pro max when you connect it to your PC. This process only occurs when you have activated iTunes automatic backup on your pc and linked it to your iPhone.

If your intention is to immediately backup your iPhone 11 pro max data to your PC on iTunes, follow these short steps;

1. Connect your iPhone to your PC using your cable.
2. Open iTunes application software.
3. Click on the Device icon next to the category dropdown menu on the left side of the iTunes window.
4. Select Summary from the sidebar.
5. Select BACK UP NOW under Manually Back Up and Restore options.
6. Click on done when you are finished.

These steps will save all your files (media, phone settings, applications, contacts, etc.) successfully on your pc.

To restore your files after the backup, follow these simple steps;

1. Open iTunes on your computer.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer using the specified USB cable.
3. Select your iPhone when it appears.
4. Select Restore Backup on the options.
5. You will be displayed various options with date stamps If you’ve backed up more than once. Click Restore on the most recent backup choice and wait for the restore time to finish.