Using iCloud drive to back up documents

[Philsy]

Hi,

I use Time Machine to back up to to a local hard drive. However, I like the idea of essential documents being backed up outside the house, so have been using SugarSync to back-up my documents folder (which contains a mix of formats, including Word, Pages, Numbers, InDesign etc). It works very well but there is a small monthly cost.

Now iCloud Drive is here, I wonder if it would make sense to use that instead. However, I can't see an obvious way to do it without changing my filing system.

I did try creating an alias of my Documents folder and dropped it into the iCloud Drive folder but, while it appeared to my there on my Mac, when I looked for it on iCloud.com it wasn't visible. And even is it was, I'm not sure it would be automatically kept up to date.

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks

Phil

 

[satcomer]

I was burned by the .Mac fiasco so do my advice is not to rely on iCloud Drive right now and wait for the rollout and the inevitable rush. Wait about three months before reling on just one online service. It us better to use two online saving services for the time being until it all calms down.

 

[MonkeySee....]

I wonder, if I store all my files in iCloud drive, if my Mac needs a restore can I just wipe it and then sign back in to iCloud drive and all my files are back again!?

 

[ABC5S]

I wonder, if I store all my files in iCloud drive, if my Mac needs a restore can I just wipe it and then sign back in to iCloud drive and all my files are back again!?

I've done just that and my files are all still on iCloud. Actually I've made a clean install of all the Public Beta's and the files remain.

 

[MonkeySee....]

I've done just that and my files are all still on iCloud. Actually I've made a clean install of all the Public Beta's and the files remain.

That is great news! I've signed up for the 500gb storage and hope that when Apple drops the new Photos app I can have it all stored in iCloud.

If the stars align and it all works out it will be epic!

 

[Philsy]

How are you storing your files? Just drag and dropped them over? Do you then access them via the iCloud Drive folder or via a local directory?

If I did the former, I'd have to rearrange my local file structure and the way I am currently working.

 

[ABC5S]

I drag them to iCloud, and upload them to "Pages" on the iCloud site.

 

[Abba1]

Use with caution, but do use.

Hi,

I use Time Machine to back up to to a local hard drive. However, I like the idea of essential documents being backed up outside the house, so have been using SugarSync to back-up my documents folder (which contains a mix of formats, including Word, Pages, Numbers, InDesign etc). It works very well but there is a small monthly cost.

Now iCloud Drive is here, I wonder if it would make sense to use that instead. However, I can't see an obvious way to do it without changing my filing system.

I did try creating an alias of my Documents folder and dropped it into the iCloud Drive folder but, while it appeared to my there on my Mac, when I looked for it on iCloud.com it wasn't visible. And even is it was, I'm not sure it would be automatically kept up to date.

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks

Phil

At this point I only put items I don't mind losing on the drive.

 

[Philsy]

At this point I only put items I don't mind losing on the drive.

Surely, copies are kept locally as well, though?

 

[ABC5S]

Surely, copies are kept locally as well, though?

Yup...

 

[Abba1]

Copies

Surely, copies are kept locally as well, though?

That depends! Since I'm still checking out the drive, I keep important files on Mac and Time Machine. But, when I start using it seriously, I will keep copies of anything important on both Time Machine and my other external backup.

 

[Philsy]

Sorry to drag up an old thread, but now that iCloud Drive has been with us a few months, I wonder if people are finding new ways to use it for managing files and backing up.

Cheers

Phil

 

[simonsi]

Sorry to drag up an old thread, but now that iCloud Drive has been with us a few months, I wonder if people are finding new ways to use it for managing files and backing up.

Nope, nothing to entice me away from Dropbox/Box as yet.