How Long Does It Take to Back Up iPhone & How to Speed It Up?

As we all know, backing up your iPhone is essential for protecting your data. You can back it up to iCloud or iTunes to prevent any data loss. However, during the backup process, you might run into some common issues. You might wonder: How long does it take to back up my iPhone? Why is my iCloud backup so slow? What can I do to speed up my iPhone backup? If these questions sound familiar, keep reading to find all the answers you need.

Part 1. How Long Does It Take to Back Up iPhone?

Generally, it takes about 30 mins to 2 hours to back up data on an iPhone. But, various factors like the amount of data and the current state of your iPhone can make the backup time longer.

We will take you through the average time of backing up your iPhone on various storage platforms. So, keep reading to know more.

1.1 How Long Does iCloud Backup Take?

Since most people use iCloud, they may want to know how long it takes to back up the iPhone to iCloud. The time it takes for an iCloud backup depends on several factors, including your network connection speed, the amount of data stored on your iPhone, and the load on iCloud servers.

Generally, if the amount of data is small and the network conditions are good, the backup may take only a few minutes to half an hour. However, if the device stores a large number of photos, videos, apps, and data, and the network speed is slow, the backup time can extend to several hours or even longer.

Additionally, the first backup may take several hours because it requires uploading a large amount of data. Subsequent incremental backups are usually much faster, as they only need to upload new or modified data.

1.2 How Long Does iTunes Backup Take?

Backing up iPhone to computer using iTunes should not take more than 15 minutes. This is according to the official statement of Apple. But, if you have a large amount of data you wish to back up, it may take you about 40 minutes. Also, the model of your iPhone can increase the time of backup.

If you have an iPhone that has a storage space of 64 GB, it will take only a few minutes for the backup to finish. Subsequently, if you have a 256 GB model, it might still take you one hour to back up your iPhone to iTunes.

Part 2. Why Is My Phone Taking So Long to Back Up?

Now, we know how long it takes to back up an iPhone. Then, why is my backup taking so long? Sometimes, the backup process can take longer than expected due to the following reasons:

• A large amount of data, including photos, videos, and app data.
• Slow network speed, especially when using iCloud backup.
• Insufficient iCloud storage space, causing delays in the backup process.
• Device system issues or outdated iTunes version.
• Older iPhones or low-performance computers may be slower when handling large amounts of data.
• Multiple background applications may consume system resources, affecting backup speed.

Part 3. How to Speed Up iPhone Backup?

It is very frustrating when you try to back up iPhone data but it's taking forever. Luckily, there are some techniques you can adopt to speed up the backup process. Here is what to do.

Tip 1. Switch to a Good Network

A good network is needed to have a fast backup. So, the first step to do if you wish for a faster backup is to check the internet speed. Most times, the problem of taking a long time for the backup to finish is due to a poor network. So, switch to a better network with great bandwidth.

Tip 2. Back Up your iPhone More Frequently

If you are backing up your iPhone using iTunes or iCloud for the first time, a slow backup speed is almost unavoidable because all the files on your iPhone are new to iTunes or iCloud. Therefore, regularly backing up your iPhone can reduce the amount of data for each backup, thereby shortening the backup time. Incremental backups are much faster than the initial full backup.

Tip 3. Disable Large App and Files Backup

If you find iPhone backups taking a long time to finish, in the iCloud settings, you can selectively disable the backup of certain apps and large files. This can reduce the amount of data being backed up, thereby speeding up the backup process. To do this, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Go to the "Settings" app and click on your profile.

Step 2. Then, choose the "iCloud" option, and turn off the switches next to the apps with lots of files to back up, such as "Photos".

Tip 4. Delete Useless Backup

Regularly check and delete backup files that are no longer needed. This will not only save storage space but also reduce backup time. However, before using this solution, make sure you have at least one local copy of your iPhone data. To delete old iCloud backups, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone.

Step 2. Tap on your name, then go to "General".

Step 3. Select "Storage & iCloud Usage" and then "Manage Storage".

Step 4. Choose the device whose backup you want to delete.

Step 5. Tap "Delete Backup", then confirm by selecting "Turn Off & Delete".

Tip 5. Delete the Unwanted Files/Apps from the iPhone

Unused apps should be removed from your devices since their large space is going to slow down the backup procedure. You can also reduce the amount of data processed during backup by cleaning up unnecessary photos, videos, and files.

Part 4. The Fastest Way to Back Up iPhone with Coolmuster iOS Assistant

Backing up iPhone data through iTunes or iCloud can take quite a bit of time, and that's why many people look for a faster, more convenient solution. That's where Coolmuster iOS Assistant comes in as a great choice for quick backups.

Unlike iTunes and iCloud, iOS Assistant makes backing up your iPhone data super easy and fast. It lets you choose exactly what data you want to back up, whether you need a full backup or just specific files. This gives you more control and flexibility over your backups.

Key features of Coolmuster iOS Assistant:

• Backup and restore your iPhone/iPad/iPod with ease.
• Back up iOS data to computer or any other external hard drives.
• Enable exporting all files from an iOS gadget to a PC or iTunes as a backup.
• Back up several data like contacts, messages, music, photos, videos, calendars, and many more.
• Involve simple steps, and you'll be done exporting and importing your data.
• Compatible with most iDevice models, including iPhone 17/16/15/14/13/12/11/X/8/7, iPad 10/9/8/Pro/Air/mini, and so on.

Free Download for PC

 

Free Download for Mac

Here is how to back up your iPhone using iOS Assistant:

Video Tutorial:

Conclusion

From this post, you now know how long it takes to back up an iPhone. If the iPhone takes forever to back up, Coolmuster iOS Assistant can offer a faster and more convenient backup experience. I believe that with the tips provided in this article, you can effectively speed up the backup process and ensure your data is always protected.

Related Articles:

How Long Does It Take to Restore an iPhone on iTunes/iCloud?

How Long to Transfer Data from iPhone to iPhone?

10 Quick Ways to Fix iCloud Backup Stuck on Estimating Time Remaining

How Many Backups Does iCloud Keep? Find Out the Answers Here!