All iPads Backup options

[MrCookieMonster]

Hi,

Currently have a MacBook Pro 2017 (2.3 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 16GB 512MB) and the battery is completely dead. With the cost to replace and the advent of the M1 processor I am wondering if its worth it and am now considering switching to an iPad.

With that in mind, can you back up an iPad to a local drive and if so is it really a good option?

I know everything is in the cloud, but I typically do a local backup in addition just in case via Time Machine etc.

 

[Rafterman]

Hi,

Currently have a MacBook Pro 2017 (2.3 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 16GB 512MB) and the battery is completely dead. With the cost to replace and the advent of the M1 processor I am wondering if its worth it and am now considering switching to an iPad.

With that in mind, can you back up an iPad to a local drive and if so is it really a good option?

I know everything is in the cloud, but I typically do a local backup in addition just in case via Time Machine etc.

You can back up an iPad to a Mac or to iTunes on Windows. But be aware, that the backup keeps a copy of the image, like apps and much of the data. Bit not everything gets backed up. I.e., movies and TV shows, some kinds of documents on certain apps.

 

[MrCookieMonster]

You can back up an iPad to a Mac or to iTunes on Windows. But be aware, that the backup keeps a copy of the image, like apps and much of the data. Bit not everything gets backed up. I.e., movies and TV shows, some kinds of documents on certain apps.

Ok, so I wouldn’t be able to move away from having a second machine and just have the iPad and an external drive?

 

[rui no onna]

Ok, so I wouldn’t be able to move away from having a second machine and just have the iPad and an external drive?

Unfortunately, full device backup to external drive or even Time Machine supported NAS isn’t an option.

On the upside, even my cheap 10 year old Windows laptop can handle iTunes backup duties.

 

[bondr006]

I am surprised there is not a built in backup in iPadOS settings so you can back up directly to an external drive. I know not all iPads have thunderbolt c, but now that some do, and presumably more will in the near future, I would like that option. I am tired of having to hook up to iTunes for local backup.

 

[rui no onna]

I am surprised there is not a built in backup in iPadOS settings so you can back up directly to an external drive. I know not all iPads have thunderbolt c, but now that some do, and presumably more will in the near future, I would like that option. I am tired of having to hook up to iTunes for local backup.

Lightning is still via USB2 so even USB3 speeds would be an improvement.

I guess they want people subscribing to iCloud.

Personally, I'd buy an Apple NAS or router with Time Machine which can work ala-local/home/personal iCloud server and still subscribe to iCloud as offsite backup.

 

[MrCookieMonster]

Thanks for the information, this has helped.

I think I would have gone iPad + Magic Keyboard if I could back up locally (without a machine) but now think I may look at just getting the MacBook Air for this reason alone.

*I would still have used iCloud but like the knowledge I have a local copy as a second backup.