How to Backup iPhone to External Drive in 2025

Before we start

Have you ever attempted to back up your iPhone? Backups are copies of your iPhone's data, acting as a 'Plan B' if you lose or damage your device. However, they can occupy a significant amount of storage space. Here’s a friendly suggestion: perform two clicks on how to backup iPhone without iCloud using AltTunes to back up your iPhone to an external drive effortlessly.

How to backup your iPhone to an external drive with AltTunes?

Given the drawbacks of the traditional method of backing up your iOS device to a PC through iTunes, such as the inability to select specific files for backup or the occurrence of frequent Terminal command mistakes, let's delve into the specifics of a more convenient and reliable alternative.

AltTunes is a comprehensive file transfer tool that facilitates seamless connections between iOS and PC devices. It allows wireless, scheduled backups to your chosen destination, letting you avoid using up storage on your PC. For instance, you can explore options like backup iPad or even how to transfer iPad to iPad with AltTunes for a seamless experience.

Step 1. Install AltTunes to your PC

AltTunes is a desktop companion app for your iPhone, providing versatile file transfer capabilities, including images, music, videos, contacts, and text messages. The app is available for free download during the trial period, so you can explore features such as how to transfer music from iPhone to computer without the typical iTunes limitations.

The app is available for free download and usage during the free trial period. Feel free to give it a try!

Step 2. Plugin your external hard drive & iPhone

Once your external hard drive is connected, tap "Trust this computer" on your device if it’s not already synced. AltTunes also lets you move photos to iCloud, making it versatile for different backup and transfer needs.

Step 3. Launch AltTunes & notice your device 

Upon initial connection, AltTunes prompts you to back up your device. You can select your external hard drive as the backup location, keeping your PC storage free for other uses. AltTunes even functions as an iPhone backup extractor to help you locate specific files whenever needed.

Step 4. Choose your external drive as the destination path

After completing the backup process, your files will be readily available on your external drive, circumventing the need for storage on your PC. If you've been pondering how to back up your iPhone to an external hard drive directly, AltTunes is the ideal tool.

AltTunes offers a range of functionalities beyond backup

• Export text messages and contacts, like how to export contacts from iPhone
• Easily set up a new iPhone in a matter of a click
• Transfer apps, documents, eBooks, pictures back and forth from your device
• You no longer need to be tied to 1 iTunes library. Sync as many devices as you wish

Where to find current backups on PC?

To find where your backups are stored on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 device:

1. Open the Start menu, then open File Explorer
2. In the left-side menu, click This PC
3. Double-click to select your PC’s hard drive—this is usually called Local Disk (C:)
4. Go to View > Show/hide in the File Explorer window, then tick the box for Hidden items.
5. In your hard drive’s folder, open the folder labeled Users.
6. This will present you with a list of users accessing your computer. Select the folder for your account. This may be called “Admin” if you haven’t set your account name.
7. There should be a folder called App Data in your user folder. Open App data, then click through the following folders:

- Roaming
- Apple Computer
- MobileSync
- Backup

8. Alternatively, you can type in the following path into File Explorer to go straight to your backup location (where [account name] stands for your device username): C:\Users\[account name]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup

How to back up iPhone to external hard drive using iTunes

iTunes has built-in functionality for creating and viewing backups. The process of backing up to iTunes is the same for Windows 10 and 11 device users.

To back up your iPhone using iTunes, follow these simple steps:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer via WiFi or with a USB or USB-C cable
2. Open the iTunes app on your PC, then go to the top left of the window and click the Device button (an icon of an iPhone)
3. Select Summary, then Back Up Now below Backups.
4. (Optional) Click Encrypt local backup to encrypt your backups. Type a password into the dialog box, then click Set Password.

You can restore your backups whenever you need them. Follow Steps 1 and 2 above, then go to Summary > Restore Backup. If your backups have been encrypted, you must enter your password to access your files.

How to Disable Automatic BackUps

Your external drive won't be permanently connected to your computer. If you connect your iPhone and the external drive is not in place, iTunes may generate an error. While attempting a new backup, the destination path will be unavailable.

To avoid this issue, it's advisable to turn off automatic backups.

- Go to iTunes Preferences > Devices

- Check ‘Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically.’

That’s all there is to it!

Bottom Line

Managing backups on a PC can be tedious, and iTunes limits your ability to store them externally. Using AltTunes with functions like iPhone backup without iCloud is a streamlined solution for backing up and transferring files to external drives, offering a user-friendly alternative to iTunes.

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