[3 Ways] How to Selectively Backup iPhone Data

Just want to partially backup files on your iPhone? This guide will show you three quick ways to selectively backup iPhone in detail, enabling to save your time to the greatest extent.

By @Demi Last Updated October 22, 2024

Backing up your iPhone is an essential part of ensuring that your photos, contacts, and other important files are safe in the event of a device failure or accidental deletion. However, constantly creating full iPhone backups brings storage limitations or privacy concerns.

That’s where selectively backup iPhone come in handy. By selectively backing up specific data types or apps, you can save space and make sure that only the most important information is backed up.

Here are some possible scenarios where you might need to selectively backup your iPhone: • You have limited iCloud storage: Selectively backup only the most important data such as photos, contacts, and messages helps save iCloud storage. • You want to save time and computer space: You'd like to save valuable time and computer storage space when backup iPhone to PC. • You value privacy: You have some private or sensitive data that needs to be backed up separately and securely. • You want to restore selective backup to new iPhone: You'd like to switch only some of the files from the old iPhone to the new iPhone.

In this guide, we’ll show you 3 ways to selectively backup your iPhone so that you can protect your important data without sacrificing storage space. Now, let’s get started.

Way 1. The Best Way to Selectively Backup iPhone to PC via AOMEI FoneBackup

There is no deny that the best way to backup only wanted iPhone data is to rely on a powerful iOS data backup tool. We highly recommend AOMEI FoneBackup to you, which provides you with an offline and reliable backup service to keep iPhone data safe on your computer.

AOMEI FoneBackup

โœ” Selectively backup and restore iPhone files. You can be free to preview and choose wanted iPhone files to backup and selectively restore the backup files to any iOS devices.

โœ” Simple UI and operations. It’s pretty straightforward to backup iPhone files via AOMEI FoneBackup, which steps are as simple as ABC.

โœ” Fast backup speed. With a stable USB connection between iPhone and PC, it won’t take you much time to complete the backup task.

โœ” Unlimited backup space. You have complete control over where your iPhone backup is saved. External hard drives, NAS, and local computer folders are all allowed.

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Download AOMEI FoneBackup, and follow the steps below to know how to selectively backup iPhone onto laptop with AOMEI FoneBackup.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to computer with a compatible USB cable. You may need to tap Trust on iPhone.

Step 2. In the Home screen of AOMEI FoneBackup, click Phone Backup > Get to Selective Backup and click Get Started to begin.

Step 3. Make sure you have clicked each icon to select the files you want to backup to computer, then click OK.

Step 4. Choose a storage path as you like from Backup Storage Path > Click Start Backup to make it.

When the task finishes, you can go to My Backups screen to browse, restore and delete the backup files.

As you can see from the image above, AOMEI FoneBackup is also one of the best files transfer apps for iPhone to PC, which can do you a favor when you need to edit, browse iPhone files locally on your computer. 

Way 2. How to Selectively Backup iPhone Using iCloud

Does iCloud backup everything? Yes, by default, iCloud will backup everything on your iPhone, including photos, videos, app data, iCloud keychain, contacts, reminders, and so on.

While when it comes to selectively backing up iPhone using iCloud, you are given an option to disable backup for a specific app from Settings app. You can do it if you don’t want to exceed your iCloud storage. Follow the steps below to know how to selectively backup iPhone data using iCloud.

Step 1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone > Tap your Apple ID > iCloud > Choose Manage Storage.

Step 2. Choose Backups > This iPhone > Select what you need in BACKUP OPTIONS. To see all apps, tap Show All Apps.

Step 3. Then go back to the iCloud Back Up Now. Here you have to be connected to a WiFi network to do so.

Now the backup version which includes the specific data you need has been ready.

โ›” Cons of iCloud selective backup Apparently, there are some demerits with this method: • You have only 5 GB of free iCloud storage. For more space, you’ll have to pay. • The network condition will greatly affect the iCloud backup progress. • You are not allowed to preview and select data during the process. • There are privacy leakage of iCloud rumors from time to time since iCloud saves your personal data on the cloud service.

Way 3. How to Selectively backup iPhone on iTunes

iTunes is the other tool Apple offers to enable you to backup iPhone files. Although it is usually used to fully backup iPhone, its sync function can help selectively backup iPhone onto laptop to some degree.

Before any specific operations, please be noted that iTunes can only backup your media files, such as audio and video, which may be not enough for you.

Step 1. Launch the latest version of iTunes on your computer > Connect your iPhone to computer.

Step 2. Click the phone icon in iTunes > Under Settings, click on the type of data that you want to backup. Here we take Photos as an example.

Step 3. Check Sync Photos > Check Selected folders and you can choose the wanted folders to backup > Click Apply to confirm.

Repeat the steps above until you have backed up all wanted types of files on your iPhone.

โ›” Problems with iTunes selective backup • You can only utilize iTunes to sync media files, like audio and videos. •  Though iTunes has been strong enough to protect your data, it cannot support you to restore selected items from iTunes backup to restore. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several ways to selectively backup iPhone data. If you want a simple backup solution, iCloud may be the way to go. If you want more control over your backups, iTunes is a good choice. While by contrast, the phone backup tool AOMEI FoneBackup is more suggested since it is easier-to-use and offers more features and flexibilities.

Regardless of which method you choose, don't forget to regularly backup your iPhone to ensure that all your important data is safe and secure. If this guide helps you, please share it with others.