As more and more of us realise just how important it is to backup files from our computers, Macs, and tablets, the next logical step is to start thinking about keeping our phone data safe too. So if you’re one of the 40% of smartphone users who’s opted for Apple, it’s time to start looking for an iPhone backup service that will keep your photos, contacts and messages safe in the Cloud.
In fact, if you’re thinking about how to backup iPhone data, chances are that you’ve already stored some of it online courtesy of Apple’s own iCloud. Although this is a solution that offers a lot to iOS aficionados, those wanting to interact with users and devices operating outside of the Apple universe might not be completely convinced – so what other options are out there?
Luckily, we’ve got our finger on the pulse of online backups, and put together a list of the 5 Best iPhone Backup services, 2016 to help you out. Keep reading to find out who made the cut!
5 Best iPhone Backup Services, 2016 Summary
[top5table iCloud Dropbox GoogleDrive IDrive MediaFire ratings=”5,4.5,4.2,4,3.7″]
Winner
iCloud
[vpnbest value=”5″] 5/5
PROS- Save photos, contacts, app data & more.
Integrated into all Apple devices.
Compatible with other iOS apps.
Simple, easy-to-use interface.
CONS- Limited file sharing options.
Hard to share & access files on non-Apple devices.
Security is still limited.
Holding as it does the lion’s share of the iPhone market, we could hardly fail to mention iCloud – which not only has the advantage of being tailor-made for iPhone users, but also successfully offers Apple fans pretty much everything they need to backup their data. Whether you want to store photos and videos, or contacts and app data, iCloud (and iTunes) will do it for you.
On the downside, file sharing options are pretty limited – particularly if you want to grant access to anyone using a different storage solution or OS – though iCloud does offer a Windows client for anyone with split loyalties. You’ll also find that their security doesn’t quite compete with the likes of SpiderOak and SOS yet – although Apple’s hard stance during their recent battle with the FBI may convince some of their good intentions.
All Mac and iOS users will find iCloud backup software already installed, with 5GB of storage space available free of charge. If you want to top this up, you can get 200GB for $2.99 per month, or 1 TB for a monthly fee of $9.99.
2nd place
Dropbox
[vpnbest value=”4.5″] 4.5/5
- PROS
- Excellent file sharing options.
Convenient and easy to use.
Good free plan.
- CONS
- Limited security.
The king of online file sharing, Dropbox neatly fills one of the biggest gaps in iCloud’s service – making it much simpler to give others public or private access to your files, regardless of whether they’re Apple users or not. A dedicated Dropbox app means that you can upload, download and share documents and pictures directly from your iPhone, as well as set up automated uploads that transfer all new photos and videos straight to the Cloud.
Although data security is somewhat limited thanks to a lack of end-to-end encryption, Dropbox offers serious advantages when it comes to convenience – not least because of its sheer number of subscribers, which currently numbers more than 500 million worldwide.
Dropbox offers a 2GB free account that can be increased to just under 20GB by doing things like inviting friends to sign up and installing the Dropbox app on your phone. If that’s not enough, you can also purchase 1TB for $11 per month. Sign up for the app here, or follow the link below to find out more about what Dropbox has to offer!
3rd place
GoogleDrive
[vpnbest value=”4.2″] 4.2/5
- PROS
- Quick and easy file sharing.
Generous 15GB free plan.
Automatic camera uploads.
- CONS
- Limited security features.
Although Google owns major iPhone OS rival Android, their Google Drive iPhone app still has a lot to offer Apple enthusiasts. Much like Dropbox, Drive’s main advantage here is its file sharing and synchronisation capacities, which here let you access your files on the go as well as making them available to other users with just a click.
You’ll also find exceptional collaborative working tools here, which allow you to edit documents from your phone (although you’ll also need to download Google Docs for this), leave comments and track changes – all with the minimum of hassle.
On top of this, you’ll also find Google Photos, which has an automatic iPhone backup service that uploads your phone’s pictures and videos for you, as well as providing a limited gallery service for keeping them organised in the Cloud.
Google Drive gives all subscribers 15GB of storage space free of charge, with paid plans ranging from 100GB for $1.99 per month to 30TB for $299.99 /month. Find out more by clicking the button below, or sign up now!
4th place
IDrive
[vpnbest value=”4″] 4/5
- PROS
- Backup files, photos, contacts etc.
Reasonable price.
Excellent security.
- CONS
- Average customer service.
Price increase in second year.
IDrive is a great all-purpose backup service, incorporating a solid iPhone app. Here, you’ll not only get file sharing, automated camera uploads, and up to 10TB of space to share between unlimited devices – there’s also top-notch security and the option to backup contacts, messages and app data from your iPhone.
With plans starting from 1TB for $3.71 per month (increasing to $4.95 in your second year), it won’t break the bank either – and there’s a 5GB free plan on offer too, that can be extended to 20TB by inviting friends to join you.
Sound tempting? Sign up now, or follow the link below to check out the iDrive website!
5th place
MediaFire
[vpnbest value=”3.7″] 3.7/5
- PROS
- Simple and easy to use.
Reasonable price.
Basic processes work very well.
- CONS
- Limited security.
Few ways to contact support staff.
MediaFire is an excellent example of why simplest is best – although neither its desktop clients nor its mobile apps have many frills or other added extras, there’s a very strong core of basic processes here – making it the perfect option if you want to take care of your files with the minimum of fuss.
The MediaFire iPhone backup app is very much typical of this approach. Backing up and restoring files is simple to do, and you can run automatic uploads of new photos and videos too. There’s nothing terribly fancy on offer, but the nuts and bolts are all in excellent working order.
1TB of storage space will set you back just $5 per month, and there’s a 10GB free plan on offer too, if you don’t mind putting up with a few (largely unobtrusive) adverts for the privilege. Interested? Sign up today, or learn more by following the link below!
Other options
The majority of online backup services, from Backblaze to Box, offer iPhone backup apps – although in the majority of cases, desktop files are the main focus. As a result, many mobile apps act mainly as a way to access files on the go, and to keep photos and videos stored in the same Cloud storage space as the rest of your data.
In this list, we’ve chosen what we think are the best providers if storing data from your iPhone is your main priority – but if you’re interested in a more comprehensive backup service, take a look at our 5 Best Online Backup Providers for Mac (or Windows), as you’ll find iPhone apps available with most of them.
Backup iPhone contacts
If you’ve got your files and photos covered with Dropbox or MediaFire but want to keep your contacts safe too, there are plenty of apps available to get the job done. Easy Backup and My Backup Assistant are both good options, with the latter allowing you to make copies of your photos as well as your phone and email contact lists.
Conclusion
Although iCloud leads the pack when it comes to iPhone backup, there are plenty of other options out there too if Apple isn’t ticking all of your boxes, or if you want to hedge your bets by storing files in a few different places. Whether you’re looking for file sharing, contact list backups or a full online backup service, there’s a provider out there for you. Let us know what you think of our list in the comments, and happy hunting!
5 Best iPhone Backup Services, 2016 Summary
[top5table iCloud Dropbox GoogleDrive IDrive MediaFire ratings=”5,4.5,4.2,4,3.7″]
I want to backup emails and memos mostly. I only have an iPhone. Recommendations?
Hi Edie,
If you only have an iPhone your best bet would be to backup your emails and memos to your iCloud account.