How to securely back up your iPhone or iPad with encryption via iTunes
In light of Apple's encryption fight, it's been noted the company can decrypt some data from an iCloud backup. Knowing this, security-conscious users may opt instead for locally-stored encrypted backups of their iPhone and iPad -- a simple process through iTunes on both Mac and PC.
There are two ways to back up your iPhone and iPad: through iCloud, and locally through iTunes. Backing up your device using iCloud is automatic and convenient, but while the backups are always encrypted, Apple has admitted it can decrypt iPhone and iPad backups stored on its servers.
This is an important distinction, because Apple cannot decrypt a passcode-protected iPhone 5s or newer, thanks to its hardware-based Secure Enclave. The only way Apple, or authorities, could potentially access a user's data is if they opt to remotely backup their device to iCloud.
For this reason, users or businesses focused on having the utmost security for their devices should opt for local backups through iTunes, using Apple's encrypted backup option. It's an easy process:
Device Summary screenshot in iTunes. Image courtesy of Apple.
Device Preferences screenshot in iTunes. Image courtesy of Apple.
In addition to added security, encrypted backups in iTunes also save data that traditional backups do not. That includes saved passwords, Wi-Fi settings, website history, and Health data.
The main problem with iTunes backups is, of course, convenience -- while iCloud backups can be automated nightly when charging, encrypted local backups require an iPhone or iPad to be physically connected to a Mac or PC. But for some, those extra steps may be worth the peace of mind.
- 1. Connect your iOS device to your Mac or PC and open iTunes.
2. Click on the device icon at the top of the screen to bring up the Summary menu.
3. Under Backups, check the "Encrypt iPhone backup" box and specify a password. Please note, there's no way to recover iTunes backups without a correct password, so be sure not to lose it.
Device Summary screenshot in iTunes. Image courtesy of Apple.- 4. Once the data has been backed up, go to Preferences > Devices in iTunes and look for a lock icon next to the name of the device to ensure it was encrypted.
Device Preferences screenshot in iTunes. Image courtesy of Apple.
Comments
Most of us are mad at our government's desire to invade whatever privacy we still have left but until we actively secure our private data, the government will continue to demand access to it. We are protected from self-incrimination so you can always tell a police officer, a judge, and the FBI you're not going to give them your password or unlock you system. You have that right.
I have found that when you initially are setting up the WiFi backup, it is best to do one via USB cable. Then once complete, with the proper options checked in iTunes, you should be able to unplug the USB connection to the device and it REMAIN showing in iTunes. If it disappears, repeat. This is not something new as I have been using this feature for many releases of both OS-X and iOS.
I really wish Appe could give me a Time Capsule that support iOS devices.
I long ago went to encrypted local backups for just that reason: makes transitioning from one iPhone to the next new one that much easier.
I have always and only back up to my computer and encrypt it as well as all my data on my computer is encrypted.
I personally never understood why people would put any of their personal data on a drive not control by your person. Someone breaking into your house to steal your stuff is not on right side of the bell curve so you do not have to worry about them hacking your stuff. But hacker on the internet which Apple has recently came out and said you always have to be worried about since they will be able to hack your stuff.