How to Keep Your iPhone’s Security Countermeasure From Obliterating Your Data

[Narrator] iPhones are in the news a lot lately,

thanks to Apple's ongoing battle with the FBI.

In 2014, Apple introduced a security feature

that keeps others, including the federal government,

from snooping around your phone.

But that security feature could also end up erasing

all your data if, say, you're too drunk

to remember your passcode,

or your kid gets a hold of your phone.

Here's some tips to keep that from happening.

First, back up your phone.

The simplest way to do this is using iTunes.

It allows you to choose what content you save

and even gives you to option to encrypt your data,

which is great if you have things you want to keep private,

like those late night dance sessions.

Yeah, let's keep those private.

If you're not an iTunes fan, then you can back up your phone

over the Cloud.

The easiest way to do this is to use iCloud.

Just go to your settings to find the iCloud tab.

You can even set iCloud to back up automatically.

If you backed up with iTunes, simply plug in your phone

and fire up the app.

It should automatically walk you through

how to erase and restore your backed up data.

If it doesn't, just go to File, Devices, Restore,

and select the back up you want to use.

For those who use iCloud, turn on your phone

and follow the instructions.

You'll have to sign into wi-fi, then into iCloud,

and pick which back up you want to use.

Now you'll always have your two-step

safely stored and protected, so get down.