Confused - Sync to iCloud and iTunes

[gman901]

Can someone please help me with this situation - I successfully backed up my iPhone 4 to the iCloud and then deleted all my apps and backup to save space on my Air. I realize that nothing is syncing to my iCal, notes and contacts because I am still on Snow Leopard. So last night I connected back to my Air with the intention of just syncing my data between my iPhone and Air; however iTunes asks if I want to transfer my apps back or lose them off the iPhone. I accepted to transfer them back and noticed iTunes erased almost all of my apps off my phone causing me to lose all my data as well. The only thing I did differently before allowing the iTunes to complete the sync was choosing to sync to iCloud and do an encrypted backup in iTunes (checked both boxes). I started downloading all my missing apps through the iTunes store, but I had to do a restore from my iPhone using iCloud to get all my settings and data back.

So what do I need to do the next time I connect my iPhone to my Air so that I do not lose all my apps and data? Should I delete my local backup on my Air and uncheck the encrypted backup option? Should I just leave backup to iCloud checked and again allow iTunes to transfer all my apps from my iPhone? I just want to be able to cleanly sync to iCloud and my Air without losing anything.

Sorry for the long post but I figured I need to be as specific as possible so someone could help.

 

[ZipZap]

I dont think there is a true sync to the cloud.

You use the cloud for backup and for replication of contacts.

You still need itunes and need to keep everything in itunes.

 

[gman901]

I dont think there is a true sync to the cloud.

You use the cloud for backup and for replication of contacts.

You still need itunes and need to keep everything in itunes.

Thanks for responding! So should I delete the backup iTunes created when I initially tried syncing and only leave backup to iCloud checked? Will it leave my apps and data alone when I try syncing again? If it asks me to transfer again, do you think my apps and data will stay on the phone?

 

[kevroc]

Thanks for responding! So should I delete the backup iTunes created when I initially tried syncing and only leave backup to iCloud checked? Will it leave my apps and data alone when I try syncing again? If it asks me to transfer again, do you think my apps and data will stay on the phone?

Don't delete the apps from your air. Apps are local content like music and videos. They themselves don't get backed up. Their settings / data get backed up, but not the apps. If you delete the app, just like if you delete a song, it assumes you want it gone from your iphone as well. There is the precaution that it prompts you to copy over purchased items "first" before syncing, but I wouldn't want to rely on that 100%.

The cloud is a backup for a device restore, not a sync.

 

[gman901]

Well, I guess I messed up because I deleted all of them. Now I made a back up of my back up before syncing up to the iCloud and deleting my local one on my Air. Should I copy my backup back to MobileSync in my library before connecting my iPhone back to my Air? Technically all the data for the Apps is stored in the backup file, correct? It would be cool to be able to sync to my Air locally or wireless and also backup to the iCloud.

 

[Bluemeanie1976]

You can redownload the apps on the device itself, so don't fret about those.