This is exactly my question. I don't get why I would use the iCloud backup if I use wifi sync with my MBP.
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Backing up. iCloud or local computer?
- Thread starter NJFP
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This is exactly my question. I don't get why I would use the iCloud backup if I use wifi sync with my MBP.
It's so that if your computer breaks then it's in iCloud. More of a peace of mind thing that all your stuff is always saved nomatter what happens to your phone or computer.
Good point and I agree - a main reason I don't back up to iCloud. Also, I'm still a bit "old school" and not too sure i want all of my info stored on my password app floating around in the "cloud" (bank info, credit cards, passwords etc . . . )
I think people that use iCloud are the types that wants backups of backups of backups . . insurance. I guess better safe than sorry attitude.
Then I guess you don't need to backup to icloud at all. I personally have no reason to backup icloud either.
The manual says -
iCloud backs up your:
Purchased music, TV shows, apps, and books
Photos in your Camera Roll album
iPhone settings and app data
Home screen and app organization
Messages (iMessage, SMS, and MMS)
Ringtones
Note: Purchased music is not backed up in all areas and TV shows are not available in all areas.
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/iphone_user_guide.pdf
I'm not even using wi-fi sync. iTunes needs to be running for this to work. When I'm at the computer with iTunes on, I just plug in the iPhone . . faster than wi-fi too.
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Thanks for this post. If this is the case, then an iCloud backup is not "all you need" for a complete restore. A computer backup is still necessary. More reason not to use it for backups . . I guess. Once iCloud backups are completely independent and carefree for the average user, I'm not too sure how well it'll be received/used for backups
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Thanks for this post. If this is the case, then an iCloud backup is not "all you need" for a complete restore. A computer backup is still necessary. More reason not to use it for backups . . I guess. Once iCloud backups are completely independent and carefree for the average user, I'm not too sure how well it'll be received/used for backups
It is the classic debate between security and availability. With iCloud you may feel less secure due to your data being in the cloud and not physically near you, but you gain some security in the fact that your data is theoretically available anywhere, anytime.
If someone steals my laptop today or my house burns down, having all of my data on my laptop isn't all that useful.
IMO it makes sense to have a mix. I have Time Capsule backups of everything, but I am also taking advantage of iCloud. iTunes Match will be a great help in protecting the vast music library I have built as well.
Probably. I just plugged my phone into the computer and in iTunes switched the backup option to "sync to iCloud", and then clicked sync.
I'm sure you could also do it over wifi, but the first time it probably works better just to plug it into the comp.
Yeah, in iTunes you just pick one or the other.
I also assume that you can delete your iCloud backup if you wanted as well.
I'm not sure if there is a way to automatically do both though.
But as I understand it, iCloud does NOT back up your data (i.e. documents), or any music which is not purchased from iTunes, so what is the point?
iCloud backup will back up your data (game progress, app settings, photos in cameral roll, etc); it knows what apps & music you've purchased so it doesn't actually back those up but if you need to restore from iCloud backup it'll redownload those apps for you.
Basically, what counts against your storage is the data; the purchased apps and music don't count against your storage space as it'll just redownload fresh copies of those.
So a 20+GB phone may only hold 2-3 GB of actual data (likely even less) while everything else can be redownloaded.
Movies aren't included. Studios won't at this time allow re-downloads, so those should be backed up to your computer. Those don't seem to be backed up to your iCloud's storage space, either.
Music not purchased from iTunes doesn't get backed up to iCloud at this point, either, but will be coming more or less via "iTunes Match" later this month. For now, those will obviously be on your computer (right? Had to get on your phone somehow), so no need to back up those up to iCloud.
Personally, I'm doing both iCloud and Mac backups. This way if I destroy/lose my phone I can go to an Apple store or Verizon, get a replacement and have it up and running instantly with all, or nearly all, of my stuff ready for use. The remaining items (music not purchased from iTunes, movies) can then be added when I get home.
I believe that's different than the "backup" option shown in iTunes. The iCloud backup on the iPhone, which you showed above, is about the select data on your iPhone. The backup shown in iTunes is the backup image of your iPhone itself. At least that's my understanding. Correct me if I am wrong.
For the iTunes backup, I back up to my local Mac, which is backed up to my Time Capsule via Time Machine.
Great post and informative! Thank you.
One question: I'm still concerned about my sensitive info stored on my password app (bank info, credit card numbers, passwords etc . . . ) Will all of that physical info within the app be stored in the "Cloud"?
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What is selected on your iTunes: backup to iCloud or Computer? and do you just switch back and forth when you want to backup to one or the other?
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If you follow that process above, you can just deselect your bank/finance apps so they wont' go to the cloud.
Also, if somehow someone got a hold of your appleid+pass and pulled down your data to their own iphone, then that device would be listed on your "Devices backed up to iCloud" list and you could see that it happened.
Personally I like the iCloud option. This way I'm completely computer-free. If I ever need to do a restore to my phone, I won't need a computer at all and can do it from anywhere. Eventually I'll want to get to my computer to put on my non-iTunes music, but that stuff isn't as crucial to me as restoring all the settings, etc.
Thanks jlm . . do you have your iTunes set on backup to iCloud as an "everyday setting"? Do you also regularly backup to Computer by switching this setting?
That's my question also. People on here are saying they do both iCloud and computer backups. I was wondering if this somehow done simultaneously or if it is done by switching back and forth manually in iTunes.
Just read an article at: Maybe this is how everyone does it???
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/instant-expert-secrets-features-of-itunes-10.5/
"iTunes and iCloud Backups
As outlined in our earlier article, Secrets & Features of iOS 5.0, the new version of iOS now supports wireless backups to iCloud as an alternative to backing up to iTunes. Once iCloud Backups have been configured on your device, it will no longer be backed up automatically by iTunes when connecting to sync over either USB or Wi-Fi. (if this is the case, every time I plug into iTunes to "sync", I have to manually "backup" in order to have a backup on my computer??? kinda doesn't make sense)
However, even with iCloud backup enabled you can still choose to backup your device manually at any time by right-clicking on your device in iTunes and choosing “Back Up” from the context menu. Both automatic and manual iTunes Backups can be performed over Wi-FI or USB.
iTunes 10.5 also adds a new configuration option on the Summary page for iOS 5 devices allowing you to choose to between backing up automatically to iTunes or iCloud. Selecting an option will display a note indicating the last time a backup was made to that particular destination.
Clicking “Apply” will change the default destination for future backups. This is equivalent to toggling the “iCloud Backup” option in the iCloud Storage & Backup settings on your device."
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I backup to my PC.
Backing up to iCloud is useful, but personally I prefer backing up to my computer, has its faster to restore from my computer than iCloud.
iCloud backup is really handy if you own an iPhone but don't have a computer.
I use iCloud to store my contacts, notes, calender entries, reminders, and to keep them all in sync on my iPad, iPhone, PC. All in all I'm impressed with iCloud
Backing up to iCloud is useful, but personally I prefer backing up to my computer, has its faster to restore from my computer than iCloud.
iCloud backup is really handy if you own an iPhone but don't have a computer.
I use iCloud to store my contacts, notes, calender entries, reminders, and to keep them all in sync on my iPad, iPhone, PC. All in all I'm impressed with iCloud
Unfortunately the iPhone can't seem to wake a desktop from sleep (as another Mac on the same network can), and since my iPhone is hardly ever plugged in at the same time my computer is not in sleep mode, I've found the WiFi backup option to be somewhat worthless. Normally I plug in my iPhone when I go to sleep. I'm not going to walk across the house every night to wake my iMac and wait for it to sync. So hopefully the iCloud backup alone works.
I think the basic confusion is this (including myself, but think I figured it out):
Backup and Sync are 2 completely different things.
When "syncing", it "syncs" with your iTunes - whether tethered/usb connected or wi-fi. "syncing" is for app updates, music to and from iPhone to iTunes etc . .
When "backing up", and "back up to iCloud" is checked on iTunes, the "sync" function will sync the device with iTunes but will not "back up" automatically. To create a back up to computer, select device - right click on device - and select back up.
This seems to be the best/easiest solution if you want to use iCloud for a backup with another backup locally on your computer/iTunes.