Make room for what comes next
First, a backup you can come back to.
Use a device backup to restore your iPad. Keep a separate archive of photos, files, and Messages that are already synced to iCloud.
01 / Device backup
Your iPad, backed up to your computer.
- Connect your iPad or iPhone by cable. Unlock it and approve Trust.
- On Mac, open Finder and choose the device in the sidebar. On Windows, open Apple Devices and select the device.
- In General, choose to back up all device data to this computer. Enable Encrypt local backup and save its password somewhere you can retrieve it.
- Choose Back Up Now. Keep the device connected until the latest successful backup date updates. Use Manage Backups to check the backup.
Encryption adds protected data such as saved passwords and Health information. You need the backup password to restore it.
Apple instructions for Mac · Apple instructions for Windows · About encrypted backups
02 / Keep the history
Messages need their own check.
Messages and photos already synced to iCloud are excluded from a computer backup. The Mac app can archive the Messages database and attachments available on that Mac, using a consistent snapshot.
Rich message bodies are preserved in the database even when their text preview is unavailable. Missing attachments are listed as failures. A verified local snapshot cannot prove that every message in iCloud has downloaded.
Messages are never included in cleanup. Deleting synced messages can delete them on your other devices too.
03 / The rest of your computer
Files, settings, and the operating system.
Use Time Machine for your Mac's files, apps, and settings. Use Apple Devices on Windows for iPad and iPhone backups. Get My Stuff Out is a Mac app for portable archives; it does not make a full Windows or iPadOS restore image.
System Data is managed by the operating system. Don't delete Library or system folders to force it smaller.
04 / Choose the storage you need
Free space with the copies in hand.
- Finish the archive and open a sample of your files.
- Keep a second copy on an independent physical drive, and re-verify both copies.
- Review eligible ordinary files or Photos in the Mac app's separate cleanup step. Confirm the exact item count. Changes since backup block cleanup.
Local space: removing an iCloud download retains the cloud original. iCloud space: deleting a synced original affects your devices.
Trash and Recently Deleted can still consume storage until permanently emptied. The app never empties them and does not promise an immediate amount of reclaimed space.