When you connect your iPhone or iPod touch to your computer, certain files and settings on your iPhone or iPod touch are automatically backed up to your computer. You can restore this information if you need to (if you get a new iPhone, for example, and want to transfer your previous settings to it).
Automatically backed-up information includes text messages, notes, call history, contact favorites, sound settings, widget settings, and more.
In addition, photos in Camera Roll on your iPhone or in Saved Photos on your iPod touch are also backed up. Other media files (such as songs, videos, and some photos) aren’t backed up, but can be restored by syncing with iTunes.
iTunes can also encrypt your backups. iPhone OS 3.0 or later is required for encrypted backups.
To encrypt iPhone and iPod touch backups:
-
Connect your iPhone or iPod touch to your computer.
-
When the iPhone or iPod touch appears in the iTunes window, select it.
-
In the Summary pane, select “Encrypt backups.â€
-
Select a password, and then click Set Password.
To restore iPhone or iPod touch files and settings:
-
Connect your iPhone or iPod touch to the computer you normally sync with.
-
When the iPhone or iPod touch appears in the iTunes window, select it.
-
In the Summary pane, click Restore.
If your backup is encrypted, iTunes asks you to enter the password before restoring your files and settings. Encrypted backups display a lock icon in the list of backups in iTunes Devices preferences.
For more information, see the iPhone or iPod touch User Guide or the Apple support website.