All Devices iTunes backup

[twdawson]

Hi guys.
I need some help and advice about backups. What does an iTunes backup consist of, is it everything or limited.
The reason I ask is that iCloud has screwed up and I have lost lots of data, I have been on the phone to Apple but they can’t help.

I want to stop using iCloud and do backups locally but these must include everything.

thanks in advance.

 

[Shirasaki]

iTunes backup include everything on your iPhone that belongs to currently logged in Apple ID. If you have different account for App Store and Personal stuff (iMessage, reminder, contacts etc), you might need to backup your iPhone multiple times just to make sure.

For example, you have Apple ID A for personal stuff and Apple ID B for App Store. You have bought music and movie using Apple ID A, and some other music and apps using Apple ID B. When iTunes does local backup, it will first check which account is logged in before backup. Assuming Apple ID A is logged in as main account and Apple ID A is also logged in as App Store account before backup, iTunes will not backup stuff that belongs to Apple ID B, but only stuff belongs to Apple ID A. Hope you get what I try to say.

 

[one more]

This is the official part of the story:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Find the right backup method for you.

support.apple.com

Long story short, if you create an encrypted (password protected) backup of your device in iTunes, it will save pretty much everything, including all your settings, screen layout, saved passwords, etc. However, you will then need to redownload all your apps (it is automated, you will just need to wait).

 

[twdawson]

This is the official part of the story:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Find the right backup method for you.

support.apple.com

Long story short, if you create an encrypted (password protected) backup of your device in iTunes, it will save pretty much everything, including all your settings, screen layout, saved passwords, etc. However, you will then need to redownload all your apps (it is automated, you will just need to wait).

Does this include all the photos as well.

 

[0128672]

If you use iCloud Photos, they will not be included. This article lists what is included in computer versus iCloud backups for iOS devices:

Backup methods for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

A backup allows you to copy and save the information from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. If you replace your device, you can use a backup to transfer your information to a new device.

support.apple.com

This article describes how to safely turn off iCloud Photos (see the last section):

If your iCloud Photos aren't syncing to your device - Apple Support

If your photos or videos won't sync to iCloud Photos on your device, learn how to check the status of your photo library and what to do if you see a status message.

support.apple.com

And in Catalina, it's done via the Finder, not iTunes, although much of the functionality looks the same.

 

[twdawson]

Thanks for the help everyone