iPhone iCloud vs iTunes backups for jailbreakers

[boo-boo-butt]

Hey all,

I've decided to back up to iCloud, update to 8.1.1 via iTunes/DFU, restore the backup and finally jailbreak via TaiG.

I understand you can only restore an iCloud backup at the phone setup stage - after a full restore or a content/settings erase. Seeing as erase all content can't be done if jailbroken, I'll be restoring the backup and then jailbreaking.

Does anyone know what the main differences are between an iCloud and an iTunes backup for jailbreakers? Does an iCloud backup with everything selected include all files like an iTunes backup does?

I've been messing a lot with 8.1 and deleting stuff so don't want random files and tweaks coming back with the backup but I don't really want to start from scratch again!

Also, my upload is 1.5Mb/s so it'll take hours to backup to iCloud compared with iTunes. If the result will be the same, I'd rather just use iTunes!

 

[theapplefanboyj]

You'll best be restoring your backup at night. Those apps take forever to go to your phone!

 

[dlmart2]

iTunes backup/restore is faster than iCloud.

 

[eelw]

I'm a glutton for punishment. I only use iCloud backup since I manually manage my library with 3rd party video players and not iTunes for library. So whenever I restore to next iOS version and restore from iCloud, it takes a hour or two to redownload the apps and camera roll. Once done, jailbreak with which ever one is available.

 

[bushido]

tried an iCloud back up a few days ago and the restore would have taken over 4 hours. went like f that and did a iTunes restore instead which took less then 10 mins

 

[boo-boo-butt]

So I gave it a go. iCloud backup took about five hours(3GB at 1.5Mb/s - should've done it at work!), then I did DFU update to 8.1.1 and restored the iCloud backup. Restoring was a lot quicker and, nicely, it restored apps and stuff first then the photos.

Waited until today to jailbreak using my work pc via TaiG. Got stuck at 60% so turned on wifi and it finished fine. Cydia's back on.

Checking my folders with iFile, the backup seems no cleaner than the iTunes one. So that's what I wanted to know. iCloud backup is convenient if, like me, you get a boot loop or similar away from home.

I'll stick with iTunes backups!