{"id":"mac-storage-basics.can-i-back-up-my-iphone-to-my-mac-over-wi-fi","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/can-i-back-up-my-iphone-to-my-mac-over-wi-fi","category":{"id":"mac-storage-basics","title":"Mac storage basics"},"subcategory":{"id":"iphone-backups","title":"iPhone and iPad backups and updates"},"question":"Can I back up my iPhone to my Mac over Wi-Fi?","alt_questions":["wifi iphone backup mac","wireless iphone sync finder","show this iphone when on wifi","back up iphone without cable"],"short_answer":"Yes — connect once, tick Show this iPhone when on Wi-Fi in Finder and Apply. On the same network you can then use Back Up Now without a cable, though it's slower.","answer_markdown":"Yes, after one cable setup. Connect the iPhone, select it in Finder, tick **Show this iPhone when on Wi-Fi** on the General tab and click Apply. Afterwards, when both are on the same network, the iPhone appears in Finder and you can click **Back Up Now** without a cable.\n\nWi-Fi backups are slower than over a cable, especially the first one.","answer_html":"

Yes, after one cable setup. Connect the iPhone, select it in Finder, tick Show this iPhone when on Wi-Fi on the General tab and click Apply. Afterwards, when both are on the same network, the iPhone appears in Finder and you can click Back Up Now without a cable.

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Wi-Fi backups are slower than over a cable, especially the first one.

","answer_text":"Yes, after one cable setup. Connect the iPhone, select it in Finder, tick Show this iPhone when on Wi-Fi on the General tab and click Apply. Afterwards, when both are on the same network, the iPhone appears in Finder and you can click Back Up Now without a cable.\n\nWi-Fi backups are slower than over a cable, especially the first one.","tags":["iphone backup","wi-fi","finder"],"related":[{"id":"mac-storage-basics.should-i-back-up-my-iphone-to-icloud-or-my-mac","question":"Should I back up my iPhone to iCloud or to my Mac?","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/should-i-back-up-my-iphone-to-icloud-or-my-mac"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"Can I back up my iPhone to my Mac over Wi-Fi? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"Yes — connect once, tick Show this iPhone when on Wi-Fi in Finder and Apply. On the same network you can then use Back Up Now without a cable, though it's slower.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Mac storage basics","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/"},{"name":"Can I back up my iPhone to my Mac over Wi-Fi?","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/can-i-back-up-my-iphone-to-my-mac-over-wi-fi"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/can-i-back-up-my-iphone-to-my-mac-over-wi-fi","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I back up my iPhone to my Mac over Wi-Fi?","alternateName":["wifi iphone backup mac","wireless iphone sync finder","show this iphone when on wifi","back up iphone without cable"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, after one cable setup. Connect the iPhone, select it in Finder, tick Show this iPhone when on Wi-Fi on the General tab and click Apply. Afterwards, when both are on the same network, the iPhone appears in Finder and you can click Back Up Now without a cable.\n\nWi-Fi backups are slower than over a cable, especially the first one.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/can-i-back-up-my-iphone-to-my-mac-over-wi-fi"}}]},"fragment":"
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Mac storage basics · iPhone and iPad backups and updates

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Can I back up my iPhone to my Mac over Wi-Fi?

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Short answer: Yes — connect once, tick Show this iPhone when on Wi-Fi in Finder and Apply. On the same network you can then use Back Up Now without a cable, though it's slower.

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Yes, after one cable setup. Connect the iPhone, select it in Finder, tick Show this iPhone when on Wi-Fi on the General tab and click Apply. Afterwards, when both are on the same network, the iPhone appears in Finder and you can click Back Up Now without a cable.

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Wi-Fi backups are slower than over a cable, especially the first one.

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