How to Back Up and Restore Apps, Contacts, Photos, and Media on iPhone 8 Plus

Got a new iPhone 8 Plus? Whether you’re just getting started or preparing for the unexpected, knowing how to back up and restore your data is a must. This guide will walk you through how to back up apps, contacts, photos, and media files using iCloud and iTunes, and how to restore them when needed.

---

Back Up Apps on iPhone 8 Plus

Via iCloud

1. Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi.
2. Open Settings.
3. Tap your Apple ID at the top, then select iCloud.
4. Scroll down and turn on the toggle next to the apps you want to back up.
5. Tap iCloud Backup, and turn it on if it’s not already.
6. Tap Back Up Now.

Wait for the backup to complete. Your apps and app data are now stored safely in iCloud.

Via iTunes

1. Open iTunes on your computer.
2. Connect your iPhone 8 Plus using a Lightning cable.
3. Tap Trust This Computer on your iPhone if prompted.
4. Click on your iPhone in iTunes, then go to the Summary tab.
5. Select This Computer under the Backup section.
6. Click Back Up Now.

iTunes will now back up your apps and app data to your computer.

---

Back Up Contacts on iPhone 8 Plus

Via iCloud

1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
3. Toggle Contacts to ON.
4. Choose Merge if prompted.
5. Scroll down and tap iCloud Backup > Back Up Now.

Via iTunes

1. Connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes.
2. Open iTunes and select your device.
3. Under the Info or Summary tab, ensure Sync Contacts is selected.
4. Choose This Computer.
5. Click Back Up Now.

---

Back Up Photos and Media Files

Via iCloud

1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos.
2. Toggle on iCloud Photos.
3. Go back and select iCloud Backup, then tap Back Up Now.

All your photos will sync and store in iCloud, available across all your Apple devices.

Via iTunes

1. Open iTunes on your computer.
2. Connect your iPhone and select it in iTunes.
3. Go to Photos in the sidebar.
4. Choose to sync selected albums or all photos.
5. Click Back Up Now from the Summary section.

---

How to Restore Your iPhone 8 Plus from Backup

Restore from iCloud

1. Turn on your iPhone.
2. If already set up, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
3. After reboot, follow the setup steps until you reach the Apps & Data screen.
4. Tap Restore from iCloud Backup.
5. Sign in with your Apple ID.
6. Select the most recent backup.
7. Wait for the process to complete. Keep your device connected to Wi-Fi and power.

Restore from iTunes

1. Open iTunes on your computer.
2. Connect your iPhone with the Lightning cable.
3. Select your device in iTunes.
4. Click Restore Backup under the Summary tab.
5. Choose a backup and click Restore.
6. Keep your iPhone connected until the process finishes and syncing completes.