All iPads iPad backup

[Newtons Apple]

Apple could certainly come up with a way to do it if they wanted to.

I agree that this is one of my list of "hinderances" to switching to an iPad as a laptop replacement... those of us who don't want to rely on external sources being able to back up devices redundantly locally have no way of doing that without some laptop/desktop to do back up and restore.

Apple is not even close to replacing any of my computers.

 

[rui no onna]

I too back up to both iCloud and iTunes. iCloud backs up on its own every night, of course, but since I have to plug my devices into my Mac mini, they only get backed up there once a week or so. Not bad, but could be better. I just wish I could wirelessly back up to the mini every night like I back up to iCloud. I'd still do both for redundancy. iTunes already has wifi syncing, so there seems no reason why we shouldn't be able to do this other than the fact that Apple seems to be pushing us toward iCloud usage.

I also have wanted for a long time for both backup options to have something closer to how time machine works on the mac. Sometimes I just want to be able to restore just one app or file without having to restore the entire freaking device (and therefore losing everything else I might have saved since). The trash folders that some apps have definitely helps but not every app has that.

Iirc, iTunes does support wireless backup with wireless sync enabled but it's an either-or solution. It only does wireless iTunes backups if you have iCloud backup disabled and vice versa.

I take no chances with my data and use the cloud but also back up to iTunes, just in case.

Seems they are wanting a complete backup including all apps and even the OS. Not sure what good that would do as there would be no way to restore it.

I expect any local server solution would have an option for restore similar to how iCloud works. The thing is Apple is pushing the iPad as a post-PC solution. However, you have no choice but to get a PC if you want local backups of your iPad.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Apple has never been know for an open ecosystem. What they give you works well, try to move outside the ecosystem and meet resistance. May not seem fair but is works. I am still shocked we are going to get a real file system with iOS11. I will believe it when I see it.

 

[rui no onna]

Apple has never been know for an open ecosystem. What they give you works well, try to move outside the ecosystem and meet resistance. May not seem fair but is works. I am still shocked we are going to get a real file system with iOS11. I will believe it when I see it.

I don't actually expect it to be open. I expect we'd have to buy a Home Server or NAS from Apple or something.

 

[richpjr]

Apple has never been know for an open ecosystem. What they give you works well, try to move outside the ecosystem and meet resistance. May not seem fair but is works. I am still shocked we are going to get a real file system with iOS11. I will believe it when I see it.

It's a LONG way from being a real file system.

 

[Newtons Apple]

It's a LONG way from being a real file system.

That is what I thought and another reason that an iPad will ever replace my lap or desk tops.

 

[Diving Capers]

Apple has never been know for an open ecosystem. What they give you works well, try to move outside the ecosystem and meet resistance. May not seem fair but is works. I am still shocked we are going to get a real file system with iOS11. I will believe it when I see it.

How does the fact that it isn't an open ecosystem relate to the lack of a backup alternative?

Apple themselves are touting the iPad as a replacement for traditional computers, so if they say it's good enough for some people to have it as their only device it is unreasonable for them to offer only one backup option, specially when that option is based on a subscription.

If they sold a time capsule for iOS devices I would buy one in a second.

What's the next step after subscription.... micro transactions ?

***Limited Time Only*** $99.99 for 5,000,000 golden apples + 50 legendary App chests.

 

[Eric5273]

Here's a solution I thought of that will help somewhat:

Documents by Readdle has a sync function that is meant to use with cloud services. It allows you to sync a file folder that is local on your iPad to a cloud drive.

Documents also allows you to connect to local wireless hard drives. I've not tried this myself, but I've seen posts from others that it works. So perhaps you can set it up to sync your local file folders to your wireless hard drive. This won't back up your entire iPad, but will backup your important files locally.

 

[rui no onna]

How does the fact that it isn't an open ecosystem relate to the lack of a backup alternative?

Apple themselves are touting the iPad as a replacement for traditional computers, so if they say it's good enough for some people to have it as their only device it is unreasonable for them to offer only one backup option, specially when that option is based on a subscription.

It's not even the paid part that bothers me. It's the fact that it's reliant on an internet-based service that one has no control over. Thankfully, we still have iTunes as an option and with absence of a nicer on-site alternative, I just hope Apple continues to allow iTunes backups.

 

[Diving Capers]

Here's a solution I thought of that will help somewhat:

Documents by Readdle has a sync function that is meant to use with cloud services. It allows you to sync a file folder that is local on your iPad to a cloud drive.

Documents also allows you to connect to local wireless hard drives. I've not tried this myself, but I've seen posts from others that it works. So perhaps you can set it up to sync your local file folders to your wireless hard drive. This won't back up your entire iPad, but will backup your important files locally.

Thanks, I have the app but haven't really used it on this iPad, will definitely check it out.
[doublepost=1502738532][/doublepost] I did a search and found a partial solution that should at least save some space on internal hardrives.

It's basically moving the save location of the iOS device (that iTunes creates) to an external harderive. I'm going to try it with a windows pc I use for media on my tv, and see if I can select a network drive as the backup location.

I'll report back after trying it.

If anyone is interested here are the links for both Mac and Windows: