iPhone Do you guys pay for upgraded iCloud storage plans?

[getrealbro]

“Do you guys pay for upgraded iCloud storage plans?" Nope. And here’s why….

The free 5GB is plenty for Email, Contacts, Calendar, and Backups of our 2 iPhones and an iPad as long as we don’t backup our Photos. The issue is not cost, it’s available internet bandwidth.

Most of Apple’s iCloud storage services are predicated on the availability of uncapped, high bandwidth internet uploads. But large swathes of rural America (in area, not population) simply don’t have the uncapped internet bandwidth necessary to take advantage of many of Apple’s iCloud services (e.g. Photos backups, iCloud Photo Library, etc.).

We couldn’t use more than 5GB iCloud storage, even if it was free. The very fastest uncapped internet access in our area is only 800Kbps upload (or 8.64GB/day). Backing up the 70 GB of photos on our 2 iPhones and iPad would take roughly 8 days. And uploading the additional 100+GB in our shared 2015 Photos library on our iMac would take nearly 20 days, assuming we could sustain that maximum throughput 24/7. And then there is the roughly 100+GB of photos in our prior year Photos libraries: 2014, 2013, 2012,…. Local redundant backup of photos/videos, is pretty cheap and doesn’t depend on having uncapped, high bandwidth internet access.

—GetRealBro

p.s. 5T external hard drives fit pretty nicely in safety deposit boxes.

 

[Paco II]

Your post is flawed in a couple of ways. One, backup size is cumulative. You may be only backing up 5MB a day of new data, but you'll exceed 5GB sooner than you think, especially if we are talking multiple iOS devices. Second, local storage is fine, but no matter how many local backups you have, offsite backup is imperative if you've got data you care about. Periodic updates and trips to the safe deposit box aren't going to cut it.

“Do you guys pay for upgraded iCloud storage plans?" Nope. And here’s why….

The free 5GB is plenty for Email, Contacts, Calendar, and Backups of our 2 iPhones and an iPad as long as we don’t backup our Photos. The issue is not cost, it’s available internet bandwidth.

Most of Apple’s iCloud storage services are predicated on the availability of uncapped, high bandwidth internet uploads. But large swathes of rural America (in area, not population) simply don’t have the uncapped internet bandwidth necessary to take advantage of many of Apple’s iCloud services (e.g. Photos backups, iCloud Photo Library, etc.).

We couldn’t use more than 5GB iCloud storage, even if it was free. The very fastest uncapped internet access in our area is only 800Kbps upload (or 8.64GB/day). Backing up the 70 GB of photos on our 2 iPhones and iPad would take roughly 8 days. And uploading the additional 100+GB in our shared 2015 Photos library on our iMac would take nearly 20 days, assuming we could sustain that maximum throughput 24/7. And then there is the roughly 100+GB of photos in our prior year Photos libraries: 2014, 2013, 2012,…. Local redundant backup of photos/videos, is pretty cheap and doesn’t depend on having uncapped, high bandwidth internet access.

—GetRealBro

p.s. 5T external hard drives fit pretty nicely in safety deposit boxes.

 

[phobos512]

If you need a significant amount of cloud storage then you probably won't find a better deal if you use iDevices. I don't pay for it, because I don't use it.

 

[Abazigal]

$12 a year is also cheaper than other competing cloud storage services. For example, $100 for 1 tb of storage a year sounds like a much better deal, but I don't need that much space. So if I signed up for Dropbox, I am simply paying for a whole chunk of storage space I will never use.

I really wish Apple would do something like free unlimited photo backup (maybe limit that to below 12 mp to avoid abuse), because there are a lot of people who aren't using iCloud Photo Library precisely because they don't want to pay $1 a month, and I find this a shame.

 

[getrealbro]

Your post is flawed in a couple of ways.

In your rush to point out the “flaws” in HOW I use iCloud, it appears that you may have missed, or chosen to ignore, WHY….

It doesn’t matter how elegant iCloud is for those with uncapped, high bandwidth internet connections. iCloud is only a marginal backup service for many of us with low bandwidth internet access — FULL STOP.

To put this iCoud backup bandwidth issue in perspective, my 800kbps upload speed is roughly the same as Bluetooth adapter and a little faster than a 56KB modem. To get a feel for how well iCloud backups work on a slow internet connection, backup your iOS device(s) via a 56KB internet/iCloud connection a couple of times*. Then post back how well it worked for you.

One, backup size is cumulative. You may be only backing up 5MB a day of new data, but you'll exceed 5GB sooner than you think, especially if we are talking multiple iOS devices.

Well, I’ve been backing up 3 iOS devices to the same 5GB iCloud account for a couple of years now and still have 2.5 GB free. So i’ll just keep on doing it until I run out of space. BTW the iCloud backup sizes for each of the iOS devices has remained pretty constant. Perhaps that’s because the main new data on our iPhones are the photos/videos which I back up locally.

Second, local storage is fine, but no matter how many local backups you have, offsite backup is imperative if you've got data you care about. Periodic updates and trips to the safe deposit box aren't going to cut it.

Physical offsite backup is old school, but it has worked for over three decades. And it is much, much faster than backing up even a few GB of photos to iCloud via our ISP. Besides while I’m at the safety deposit box I can take care of that other offsite chore: maintaining an offsite backup/archive of the multi TBs of data on our Macs. You know, that pesky Time Machine offsite backup issue.

—GetRealBro

* You can take that trip down internet memory lane by using one of the early model AirPorts that had a built in 56k modem.

 

[Paco II]

Whoa, no need to get so defensive. Totally get that taking external drives to the safe deposit box is your only viable option. Unfortunate that your internet is so painfully slow. Are your cellular speeds just as bad? Pretty impressive to have three iOS devices backing up for three years and only using 2.5GB. I assume you've disabled a number of apps from the backup? The main point though remains: frequent remote backups are a core component to a good backup strategy.

In your rush to point out the “flaws” in HOW I use iCloud, it appears that you may have missed, or chosen to ignore, WHY….

It doesn’t matter how elegant iCloud is for those with uncapped, high bandwidth internet connections. iCloud is only a marginal backup service for many of us with low bandwidth internet access — FULL STOP.

To put this iCoud backup bandwidth issue in perspective, my 800kbps upload speed is roughly the same as Bluetooth adapter and a little faster than a 56KB modem. To get a feel for how well iCloud backups work on a slow internet connection, backup your iOS device(s) via a 56KB internet/iCloud connection a couple of times*. Then post back how well it worked for you.

Well, I’ve been backing up 3 iOS devices to the same 5GB iCloud account for a couple of years now and still have 2.5 GB free. So i’ll just keep on doing it until I run out of space. BTW the iCloud backup sizes for each of the iOS devices has remained pretty constant. Perhaps that’s because the main new data on our iPhones are the photos/videos which I back up locally.

Physical offsite backup is old school, but it has worked for over three decades. And it is much, much faster than backing up even a few GB of photos to iCloud via our ISP. Besides while I’m at the safety deposit box I can take care of that other offsite chore: maintaining an offsite backup/archive of the multi TBs of data on our Macs. You know, that pesky Time Machine offsite backup issue.

—GetRealBro

* You can take that trip down internet memory lane by using one of the early model AirPorts that had a built in 56k modem.

 

[von franklin]

Nope I don't pay for it. I use the Office 365 so I have the 1TB from there. The cloud is cool and all just seems like it could have been wrapped in to a deal with apple music or something else.

 

[PowerBook-G5]

Yes, I pay $0.99 USD/month for 50GB.

I hate when I hear people complaining that they don't have any icloud storage space left, but don't want to pay for it. Pay the (tiny) price for it or shut up.

Edit: I use iCloud Backup, iCloud Drive, and iCloud Photo Library. I use about 32GB/50GB.

 

[geekguy123]

Yes. 1TB on my main account so that my photos get backed up from my iMac. Wife and kids' accounts all on the 50 GB. They never plug their iPhones into the iMac so if any backups get done that way, it's when I remember.

 

[LordQ]

No. But I'm not much of a photos person.

That being said, 5GB is a joke, at least 10GB should be the minimum.

 

[hamiltonDSi]

Yea 50GB 0.99€/month

 

[MEJHarrison]

Yes, but you are micromanaging and it shouldn't require that.

Yes, I do micromanage my backups. That was the only way to make it work (for me) in 5 GB.

What do you mean it shouldn't require it? Are you suggesting that Apple should have given me 128GB for my phone and another 128GB for my iPad and another 512GB for my Mac? Or are you suggesting that the phone should be smart enough to figure out how to squeeze 128GB into 5GB? Either way I think you're way off base. If either of those happened eventually, fine. But that's not how the world is today.

Like it or not, we get 5GB for free. You can bitch about not being able to make backups, you can micromanage it, you can pay for more space or you can find a non-Apple solution for backups. What you can't do is somehow make backups magically appear without doing something.

As for me, I prefer to micromanage my stuff. Here's why:

1. Taking personal responsibility for my data - It's not like I need to do it frequently. I pretty much ignore it until I get a message telling me it couldn't backup. Then I fix it and it's good for another 6-12 months. I prefer to take a little personal responsibility for backing up my data and have the luxury of easy restores when needed. I don't expect or trust others to care about and maintain my data.

2. Security - there's some things I want to micromanage because I don't want that data on their servers. I don't backup Quicken for that reason. I can reconnect afterwards and not loose anything. Same with any banking / financial app. They don't need that data and I don't need the to put it places it doesn't need to be and increase the risk of someone getting that information.

3. Need - there's the stuff that doesn't make sense to backup. Why backup my music? If I need it again, I'll plug into my laptop and sync it back again (I don't buy through iTunes). It doesn't make sense to backup my DVD database. If I need it again, I'll sync with my laptop. Those two there, plus my camera roll were really the main culprits in me being unable to make backups originally.

4. Efficiency - I micromanage to save time on backups and restores. Why backup 100 apps that you don't need to? All that does is slow down the backup and take more time on restores. This is things like Facebook, games that have no real "saves" to worry about, photo manipulation apps, etc.

If you choose not to micromanage your backups, that's fine. But there are very valid reasons to do so. Expecting someone else to take on the responsibility of handling your personal data for you is a fantastic setup for major disappointment.

 

[John Mcgregor]

Yes, I do micromanage my backups. That was the only way to make it work (for me) in 5 GB.

What do you mean it shouldn't require it? Are you suggesting that Apple should have given me 128GB for my phone and another 128GB for my iPad and another 512GB for my Mac? Or are you suggesting that the phone should be smart enough to figure out how to squeeze 128GB into 5GB? Either way I think you're way off base. If either of those happened eventually, fine. But that's not how the world is today.

Like it or not, we get 5GB for free. You can bitch about not being able to make backups, you can micromanage it, you can pay for more space or you can find a non-Apple solution for backups. What you can't do is somehow make backups magically appear without doing something.

As for me, I prefer to micromanage my stuff. Here's why:

1. Taking personal responsibility for my data - It's not like I need to do it frequently. I pretty much ignore it until I get a message telling me it couldn't backup. Then I fix it and it's good for another 6-12 months. I prefer to take a little personal responsibility for backing up my data and have the luxury of easy restores when needed. I don't expect or trust others to care about and maintain my data.

2. Security - there's some things I want to micromanage because I don't want that data on their servers. I don't backup Quicken for that reason. I can reconnect afterwards and not loose anything. Same with any banking / financial app. They don't need that data and I don't need the to put it places it doesn't need to be and increase the risk of someone getting that information.

3. Need - there's the stuff that doesn't make sense to backup. Why backup my music? If I need it again, I'll plug into my laptop and sync it back again (I don't buy through iTunes). It doesn't make sense to backup my DVD database. If I need it again, I'll sync with my laptop. Those two there, plus my camera roll were really the main culprits in me being unable to make backups originally.

4. Efficiency - I micromanage to save time on backups and restores. Why backup 100 apps that you don't need to? All that does is slow down the backup and take more time on restores. This is things like Facebook, games that have no real "saves" to worry about, photo manipulation apps, etc.

If you choose not to micromanage your backups, that's fine. But there are very valid reasons to do so. Expecting someone else to take on the responsibility of handling your personal data for you is a fantastic setup for major disappointment.

Yes, i suggest that. It's not even 5 GB per device, it's 5 GB total. I have iPhone, iPad, Retina MacBook Pro and an iMac. Thats 4 expensive as **** devices and you want to tell me that Apple can't give at least 5 GB per device? That makes no sense whatsoever.

And normally i should be able to at least backup my iOs device without additional iCloud storage.

 

[MEJHarrison]

Yes, i suggest that. It's not even 5 GB per device, it's 5 GB total. I have iPhone, iPad, Retina MacBook Pro and an iMac. Thats 4 expensive as **** devices and you want to tell me that Apple can't give at least 5 GB per device? That makes no sense whatsoever.

And normally i should be able to at least backup my iOs device without additional iCloud storage.

Apple CAN give you more space. Perhaps Apple even SHOULD give you more space. At the very least, it should be 5GB per device.

But Apple doesn't do that. So you either do the best with what you have or you don't. I choose to work with the limits originally imposed on me so I could enjoy the luxury of having a good backup in place.

And all that aside, there actually are very good reasons to micromanage regardless. I've updated to the 200GB plan. I have 133GB left over after my photos and videos are synced. I don't have to micromanage anything. I could do full backups of my phone and iPad. But I still choose to micromanage for the reasons I listed above.

 

[ascender]

I've been thinking about this recently as our family now have a seemingly ever-increasing number of Macs and iOS devices... Is there an easy way to buy storage for the whole family to use for backups, photo sharing etc or does each individual iTunes account need to buy its own storage?

If you can only have storage linked to one account, could I add that as a secondary account somehow to devices and just have storage as the only iCloud feature being shared - so their primary account is still the one that has all their own mail and the like?

There's lots of cheap storage out there, but the iCloud stuff is obviously intrinsically linked to all the Apple ecosystem which does have its advantages.

 

[LCPepper]

Yeah, 79p/ month for 50GB to have backups and all my photos and content up there seems quite reasonable to me.

 

[nightcap965]

Yup, the 50 GB tier for the Unindicted Co-Conspirator and myself. Two iPhones, three iPads, five Macs... it all adds up. Now that iCloud is stable, it's worth it.

 

[fiddysent]

I pay $0.99 for the 50gb plan. It's convenient since I have a lot of apple products and my main machine is a MBA

 

[AZhappyjack]

Yes. We have 2 active iPhones (1 more that I use for testing beta software and beta iOS), 4 iPads and tons of photos.

Both my wife and I have the $0.99 / 50GB option. It allows us each to keep our backups current (phones and tablets) and all of our photos. It's extremely affordable.

 

[iamMacPerson]

I'm still on the 5GB free plan, but I'm getting near those 5GB and about ready to make the jump. I still have 800MB or so left, so I don't wanna pay for it if I don't have to. Mainly iCloud holds my email and other important documents that I may need to access at a moments notice. Photos, phone backups, and everything else are stored locally on my computer.

I know someone is going to come by and tell me that I should backup photos/my devices to iCloud, but I'll explain why I don't. My photo library is primarily stored on my built in SSD. That SSD is backed up to a hard drive via time machine. I have yet to see an SSD and hard drive fail at the same time unless it's logical corruption, but I'm not too worried about that. As for phone backups, restore via iCloud (which I have done for family member's devices) is too slow. While I do have a 60Mbps download speed, it could take 2-3 hours to fully repopulate a phone because it doesn't backup apps, it just redownloads them from the App Store. Meanwhile, iTunes takes 1 hour on my machine to restore my phone backup.

As for my iPhone backups, they are stored on a hard drive and backed up to a hard drive. This doesn't matter to me, since the backups of my phone aren't important. As long as my photo library is safe, I could rebuild my phone from scratch using the apps from iTunes. I've done it multiple times because of AppleCare troubleshooting steps, and I like to do it whenever I get a new generation of phone to clear out all that crap generated by the last phone.