Do you fully understand the implications of backing up your data? Do you know the difference in what is backed up when you compare iCloud back ups with iTunes (plugged in to your computer) backups?
This article is designed to give you the lowdown on what you are (and aren’t) backing up with each back up facility.
When Apple introduced cordless backing up with the introduction of iCloud with iOS 5, it created a much smaller back up facility, enabling users to back up the most important files without connecting to the computer. Great idea in theory, but so convenient, many of us forget to connect and back up what’s important every now and again.
Backing Up with iCloud
You can do this both from Settings>iCloud>Storage & Backup
Make sure it is activated in order to back up automatically (remember you will need to regularly connect to Wi-Fi). You can also choose to manually back up this way whenever you choose. You can back up up to 5GB of storage for free, but for more than this you need to pay. It’s great that this method is available for ease of use, but you aren’t getting the full backup, so it is very important that you plug in to your computer and perform a full back up regularly with iTunes. .
Backing Up with iTunes
iCloud doesn’t back up most of your app data, so pictures not stored in the camera roll, music that wasn’t purchased through iTunes, call history, etc. To back these up, you need to plug your device into your computer and perform the iTunes backup.
1. Plug in your device to your computer
2. Open iTunes
3. Go to Automatically Back Up and select This Computer
Keeping Your Data Safe
For best results, you’ll need to regularly connect your iPad or iPhone to your computer to backup – say once a month (if you have followed the above procedure, it will automatically back up when your phone is connected to the computer). Simultaneously you’ll be able to keep the most important data backed up in iCloud.