How to back up your iPhone and iPad to iCloud or PC/Mac
Our advice is to back up your Apple devices today, and keep doing so – automatically to iCloud and/or regularly to your Mac or PC. Many devices fail every single day, often without warning. Don't let your data be consigned to oblivion when there's really no need.
This is especially important if you run beta software. There's loads of great stuff in the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 betas Apple has unleashed ahead of September. But if you mash that install button without first protecting your data, don't be surprised if your enthusiasm returns to smack you in the face. So, again, back up your important iOS and iPadOS data. Before we get really grumpy.
Stick with it: iOS 18
Not so keen to live at the cutting edge? Unsure whether your device will cope with a new OS? You're in luck: even when a new OS is fully baked, Apple provides the choice between two software update versions in Settings. Go to Settings > General, then tap Software Update. You'll see the shiny new option and – when they're available – bug and security fixes for the previous version. Choose the one you want to install.
How to backup to iCloud
Head to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > 'Saved to iCloud'. Turn on relevant options that aren't activated to keep important data safe, such as calendars, reminders, and browser bookmarks. This will now be synced to iCloud. Even if an update turns your iPhone/iPad into a pretty brick (unlikely), you can download this data to another device (and access it at icloud.com in the meantime).
Next, head to 'iCloud Backup', tap 'Back Up Now', and enter your password. If you don't use your device much, it'll start backing up. (Be on Wi-Fi, unless you hate yourself.) If you've loads of apps that store a ton of data locally, you'll need to buy more iCloud space, because Tim Cook needs a new yacht and only gives you a miserly 5GB for free.
Buy more storage in iCloud > 'Manage Storage' > 'Change Storage Plan'. Alternatively, head into Backups, choose your device, and figure out if there's any data you can do without if everything goes wrong. Oh, and iCloud back ups take ages, so don't do this at the last minute.
How to back up to Finder or iTunes
If you're on Windows, this option involves iTunes. Sorry. Connect your device to your computer using a cable, and select it in the iTunes toolbar. Select Summary from the sidebar that then appears. Under the Backups section, you'll see when you last backed up, and where that back up went. Unless you usually don't back up, in which case hang your head in shame and continue.
Click 'Back Up Now'. This backs up your device data to your computer, and you can later recover from this backup, in the event of disaster. We strongly recommend using the Encrypt option, so your Health app data and passwords go along for the ride. (You'll need to enter a bespoke password to get at that backup later. Note that down somewhere safe.) Again, the process isn't swift, but it is necessary. Relying solely on a single iCloud backup as a disaster recovery system is brave. And by 'brave' we mean 'bonkers'.
If you're a Mac user, iTunes has long been consigned to history. Hurrah! Only the process is almost identical and now instead lurks in Finder – select your device from Locations, choose the General tab, click 'Encrypt local backup' and then 'Back Up Now'. Well, assuming you're using macOS 10.15 or later. Earlier Macs will still have iTunes.
How to backup iPhone and iPad photos and videos
Your phone's full of photos that help you recall precious memories (or painful drunken ones), and so don't risk losing them. Apple provides options for keeping pics and videos safe. Ideally, just turn on iCloud Photos (in Settings. > Apps > Photos), which syncs your entire photo library (videos, photo edits and all) to iCloud. You'll need enough iCloud storage for everything you've shot – and the patience of a saint while it uploads.
However, iCloud syncs don't always work perfectly, so consider going old-school again as well. Plug your device into your computer. If you're using a Mac, use Photos to import copies of your photos and videos. Make sure in Photos > Settings > iCloud, you have 'Download Originals to this Mac' turned on. Should your library be larger than your local storage, consider placing it on an external SSD (Settings > General > 'Library Location') and back that up regularly.
If you're using a PC, use the Windows Photos app, or right-click your device in File Explorer, select 'Import pictures and videos', and follow the wizard. Now read: Best iPhone in 2025 ranked from best to worst
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Nacon Daija Platforms: PS5, PS4, PC / Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC This stick had a heavy presence in this year's Evo finals as Nacon, the new global partner of this prestigious tournament, made special gold, silver and bronze versions of the Daija for the winners and runner-ups. Besides being made with durable Sanwa Denshi parts, including two different joysticks, your other buttons from a standard controller are accessible from the side so it's unlikely you'll press them accidentally in the heat of a match, though you might want to familiarise yourself of this layout when you want to capture a winning moment. It certainly stands out as one of the largest and heaviest sticks around, but that real estate does come with a textured palm rest all the way along the bottom, and this stick has been designed in collaboration with Kayane, whose record Soulcalibur wins has made her the most successful female fighting game player in the world. 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There's also two additional P1 and P2 buttons that can be used for programming macro sequences, such as any complex super moves, though Switch users will need to program this with 8BitDo software on PC first. Just don't try and get away with that kind of cheat in tourneys! Best Pads 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Platforms: Switch 2, Switch, PC / Android, PC If you're playing fighting games with pad, 8BitDo's flagship Ultimate controller is one of the best out there that rivals even official console controllers, while also at more of a bargain. Whichever of these Ultimates you pick up, they both come with extra mappable buttons, two that can also be macros on the back, and two smaller additional buttons on the bumpers (note: you'll need 8BitDo PC software to map them). You can also switch between having Hall-effect analogue triggers or digital triggers for more immediacy. Of course, movement inputs are vital in a fighting game, so you've got a solid d-pad that's both clicky and smooth. 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