besides iCloud folder which is your favorite cloud storage

[537635]

Just as if you were doing one of your backups and your internet went down in the middle of it. I guess you would be SOL as well. Break out the Samsung T7

This is not really how data transfer works...

I did learn the hard way years ago so I take my data seriously now. You clearly don't have a good understanding how things work. I would suggest you follow some online "how-to" about backups if you do care abour your data.
But hey, this is a brave new world where everybody is an expert. Good luck with your iCloud sync backups.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Backup is usually a copy of something external to the object being backed up - not being able to be influenced by that object.

iCloud / Dropbox / OneDrive / Google Drive are more of a syncing mechanism. iCloud doesn't have the ability to selective sync and leave stuff only on the cloud for "backup" like potential that other cloud services have. With OneDrive, I can create a folder called Archive, not sync it to my PC, and back up tons of data to it (copy it).

But even that isn't a true backup solution. What if I lose my OneDrive account? Rule of thumb is to have several points of backup - 100% separate from your original system. That's what is trying to be mentioned I guess.

So I use iCloud for my personal data (about 103GB of photos, 42GB of data). I have my Mac's hard drive TimeMachine'd to an external SSD. I also have BackBlaze B2 via ARQ backing up my data to BackBlaze cloud services - 100% separate and no file deletion so it saves ALL versions.

If I change a text file on iCloud, it immediately syncs that to iCloud overwriting what was there with what I changed. A backup service will create another copy of that text file (even if it just changed a little) and back up each change as a separate file so even if I delete it on iCloud, I still have that file via the backup service.

Rule of thumb is 3 separate points of backup. I only have 2 but that's good enough for me for now.

 

[trifid]

For now Dropbox is my main cloud provider and I like a lot of the unique features and stability. I was able to get a good discount in past black fridays and an AMEX promo, but if they keep the high price I might have to switch.

The other main issue I have is sometimes if there is a lot queued to sync, it eats up a lot of CPU time and my macbook blasts to full fan noise.

 

[PhoenixDown]

I get 1TB from OneDrive as part of my 365 sub so I use that for most everything.
I have 200M from icloud for the basics like photos and some files I want easier access to on my iphone.

 

[BeatCrazy]

In addition to iCloud, I also use 1TB OneDrive, and it has worked well for me for many years now.

 

[BigMcGuire]

In addition to iCloud, I also use 1TB OneDrive, and it has worked well for me for many years now.

Yep, what I've been doing for the last 3 years+. OneDrive is great. I've switched back and forth between OneDrive and iCloud for my primary personal cloud storage. Only reason why I use iCloud is cuz of my photos I think. OneDrive has a lot more features - (selective sync, sharing easier, etc) so I keep wanting to go back to that for my personal stuff as I work on Windows all day.

 

[fisherking]

icloud is not a backup; it's one place where your files are; you edit something, save it, it's still in the cloud. if you deleted it accidentally, it's no where else. you should use an external drive, or an online BACKUP system if you want your data in 2 places (and you should want that).

 

[gbf]

The iCloud files app on your phone and on all iOS devices and macOS. I work on something on my Mac. Maybe a document or a photo collection. Get it where I need them to be. When it’s perfect I just copy and paste it to the iCloud files app and it’s safe. I don’t understand what the argument is here. I want to be able to work on 1000 pictures or 1000 word documents a day. Then when I’m done store them not only on my desktop but put them in the iCloud files app so they are BACKED UP

 

[gbf]

I’m sitting here banging my head against the wall cause I’m questioning if I’m using the wrong word so I went to the dictionary.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Right, what they're trying to tell you is that it isn't a separate instance - it's the same file. So if you delete a file, it gets deleted in the cloud.

A backup - if I delete a file locally, the backup should still contain that file. It should be a separate copy.

iCloud is not an extra copy - in the exact meaning and sense of the word "extra copy" - iCloud treats them as the same file. So if gbf Jr (your kid) went in and wiped out all the files in iCloud on your iMac, iCloud would reflect that and wipe them all out.

A backup is an extra copy - completely separate from the original. iCloud treats the data on your iMac as the same as the data being synced to iCloud. So does Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive --- but with those services you can copy the data to separate folders (making a copy) you don't sync to your iMac (iCloud cannot do this).

 

[gbf]

My friend

if I delete the file I’m working on on my desktop it doesn’t delete it from the iCloud folder. I have to go into the iCloud folder and delete it myself. So that is a backup. So I can write my resume. Finish it. Copy it over to the files app and then an hour later say I wanna change something. Work on it on my desktop and it doesn’t affect the version on the iCloud folder till I drag it over.

 

[BigMcGuire]

My friend

if I delete the file I’m working on on my desktop it doesn’t delete it from the iCloud folder. I have to go into the iCloud folder and delete it myself. So that is a backup. So I can write my resume. Finish it. Copy it over to the files app and then an hour later say I wanna change something. Work on it on my desktop and it doesn’t affect the version on the iCloud folder till I drag it over.

By default iCloud syncs the desktop files to iCloud. At least mine does? If you have the file in two locations that would explain your behavior --- but if you delete a file in the iCloud folder on your iMac it deletes it in iCloud. That's a syncing service.

I think you can turn off desktop syncing but I think that's on by default.

 

[gbf]

All I know is I drag and drop all night. Nothing automatically syncs. I believe there once was a desktop folder in there and I do think I deleted it.

 

[gbf]

Again this is the iCloud Drive I’m talking about.

 

[gilby101]

Just as if you were doing one of your backups and your internet went down in the middle of it.

Then you lose that backup snapshot, but you still have the previous one and all the ones beforehand. And once the internet is restored you will get a new snapshot. And all automated.

You really need to understand the difference between backup and synchronise products. There is some overlap, but iCloud is definitely in the synchronise group.

 

[gbf]

You really need to understand the difference between backup and synchronise products. There is some overlap, but iCloud is definitely in the synchronise group.

I don’t agree because I’m not synchronizing anything. Just copy and pasting and my desktop doesn’t match my iCloud Drive folder.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I don’t agree because I’m not synchronizing anything. Just copy and pasting and my desktop doesn’t match my iCloud Drive folder.

In your iCloud settings - is desktop and documents checked? Just curious.

 

[gbf]

In your iCloud settings - is desktop and documents checked? Just curious.

The machine isn’t handy. Give me a few please and I’ll answer that. Thank you pal.

 

[BigMcGuire]

The machine isn’t handy. Give me a few please and I’ll answer that. Thank you pal.

Yeah no worries. I’m ending a work day. I’ll see what my Mac has too. Should be on it in a few.

 

[gbf]

Yeah no worries. I’m ending a work day. I’ll see what my Mac has too. Should be on it in a few.

I’m ready to call Apple and say am I using the iCloud Drive the wrong way?

I was under the assumption that it was a place to store files and documents safely.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I’m ready to call Apple and say am I using the iCloud Drive the wrong way?

I was under the assumption that it was a place to store files and documents safely.

This is what I have for my iCloud settings. System Preferences --> Apple ID --> iCloud Drive (Options Button).

 

[BigMcGuire]

Everyone has a different way of using things. Whatever works for you is how to use it best. I definitely wouldn't have iCloud as my only backup - I think that's what most people here are saying. That's all. I mean not everyone has the time or the $ to set up 3 different forms of backing up data lol.

 

[gbf]

For sure my brother. I just want a place to store documents and pictures.

I could care less if my computer crashes and I have to buy a new one. As long as my documents are safe. Settings on the machine I can go back in and change.

that’s why I get cray cray when people set up their iPhones up from a backup because if software was corrupt on an old phone it will carry over to the new one.

thank you so much for all your help.

 

[gbf]

here ya go! I don't know what imtransferagent is

 

[BigMcGuire]

here ya go! I don't know what imtransferagent is

Ah interesting - you have documents and desktop off. I'd have that turned on - that way anything you do in Documents and Desktop gets synched with iCloud - no need to copy it to iCloud. But that's me. Not sure how much iCloud storage you have. My wife and I have that checked on - and do most of our work in Documents and Desktop folders. I've got like 42GB and my wife has like 68GB in iCloud.