You can still make a local backup of an iPhone to a computer, but “back up to iTunes” is no longer the right instruction for every computer. Current Macs use Finder, while current Windows PCs can use the Apple Devices app. Some older Windows setups still use iTunes.
Back up an iPhone on a Windows PC
- Connect the iPhone to the PC with a USB or USB-C cable and unlock the iPhone.
- Tap Trust on the iPhone if you are asked to trust the computer.
- Open the Apple Devices app and select the iPhone in the sidebar.
- Select General.
- Choose the option to back up all of the iPhone’s data to the computer.
- Optionally enable Encrypt local backup if you want the backup to include protected information that requires an encrypted backup. Keep the encryption password somewhere safe.
- Click Back Up Now and allow the backup to finish.
What about iTunes or a Mac?
If your Windows PC still uses iTunes rather than Apple Devices, connect the iPhone, select its device icon, open Summary, and use the local backup controls there. On a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, select the connected iPhone in Finder and use the backup options on the General tab.
A computer backup is different from an iCloud backup. Whichever method you use, confirm that the backup completed before erasing, repairing, or replacing the iPhone.