Backing up. iCloud or local computer?

[formerpc]

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I'm using iCloud. I hardly ever have my MBP on (my only computer), so it's just easier to backup to iCloud.

 

[HengenJL]

Currently I have my iPad 1 backing up to iCloud, but there are certain apps that I have chosen not to be backed up to icloud. I do have mail, contacts, calendars, reminders in iCloud on all devices so that's consistent.

 

[srazz]

This is a similar problem I have with a local backup. The date shown is from when I updated to iOS 5. The date hasn't changed since. Is it backing up or not???

Even when you click on Backup now????

So, if I right click on the device and select backup it will backup each device. However, in the past iTunes did backups every time you sync. It appears now that the only way to backup is if you manually do it. ??? At least thats the way mine system currently works.

Is this the way it was intended??

 

[curtisinoc]

So, if I right click on the device and select backup it will backup each device. However, in the past iTunes did backups every time you sync. It appears now that the only way to backup is if you manually do it. ??? At least thats the way mine system currently works.

Is this the way it was intended??

Yes

 

[Steve28]

So, if I right click on the device and select backup it will backup each device. However, in the past iTunes did backups every time you sync. It appears now that the only way to backup is if you manually do it. ??? At least thats the way mine system currently works.

Is this the way it was intended??

You have it slightly incorrect...

if you have iCloud backup on, it's backed up to iCloud over wifi when the phone is recharging and idle. You can backup to your computer manually, by right-clicking and selecting backup.

If you have iCloud backup turned OFF, then your phone is backed up to your computer every time it's synced. Which, if you have wifi syncing turned on, will be every time you plug it in to recharge and it's connected to the same network as your computer and iTunes is running.

 

[curtisinoc]

You have it slightly incorrect...

if you have iCloud backup on, it's backed up to iCloud over wifi when the phone is recharging and idle. You can backup to your computer manually, by right-clicking and selecting backup.

If you have iCloud backup turned OFF, then your phone is backed up to your computer every time it's synced. Which, if you have wifi syncing turned on, will be every time you plug it in to recharge and it's connected to the same network as your computer and iTunes is running.

^^ Correct . . and also the reason why I think (my own opinion), that if you choose to "backup" to iCloud, it's best to have wi-fi sync turned off and here's why:

When iCloud backup is enabled, it will backup overnight when plugged in at home (connected to wi-fi) even if your computer where iTunes resides is completely turned off. . . because syncing on wi-fi will only work if computer is awake with iTunes running. I don't care to have my computer wake up all the time (wake on LAN) for syncing.

To sync, I choose to usb tether to my computer/iTunes and click "sync". Also this is a good time to right click on device and create a computer/iTunes backup as well.

 

[daihard]

I think the basic confusion is this (including myself, but think I figured it out):

Backup and Sync are 2 completely different things.

When "syncing", it "syncs" with your iTunes - whether tethered/usb connected or wi-fi. "syncing" is for app updates, music to and from iPhone to iTunes etc . .

When "backing up", and "back up to iCloud" is checked on iTunes, the "sync" function will sync the device with iTunes but will not "back up" automatically. To create a back up to computer, select device - right click on device - and select back up.

Yes, that's my understanding as I posted above. When you talk about configuring your "backup" to iCloud on your iPhone, that's actually syncing. "Backup" is done via iTunes, whether via USB or Wi-Fi. iTunes only lets you back up your iPhone one way or the other - you cannot choose both unless you change your settings back and forth.

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You have it slightly incorrect...

if you have iCloud backup on, it's backed up to iCloud over wifi when the phone is recharging and idle. You can backup to your computer manually, by right-clicking and selecting backup.

If you have iCloud backup turned OFF, then your phone is backed up to your computer every time it's synced. Which, if you have wifi syncing turned on, will be every time you plug it in to recharge and it's connected to the same network as your computer and iTunes is running.

My understanding is that iTunes backs up your iPhone the same way whether you choose to back it up to your local computer or iCloud. Do you have any reference to support your belief that it is done differently?

 

[donnaw]

I have been using both iCloud and my pc. I can't see everything backed up to iCloud.

Here's my issue. I travel a lot. I always worried about what might happen if I needed to do a restore while out-of-town. I think iCloud would work very well for this if it works correctly. But the most important app I have is my ewallet. Now it has 256-bit encryption so I'm not too worried about it being in the cloud. But is the data there backed up to iCloud? Does that count as 'documents'?

 

[Steve28]

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My understanding is that iTunes backs up your iPhone the same way whether you choose to back it up to your local computer or iCloud. Do you have any reference to support your belief that it is done differently?

You can see that for yourself: With iCloud syncing turned off, sync your iPhone to iTunes - you will see "Backing up" as the first step in the iTunes window. Now turn iCloud backup on and sync your phone to iTunes again - the "Backing up" step is not performed.

Still don't believe? You can look at the time stamps for the backups in ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/. A new backup won't be created if iCloud backup is on.

 

[PNutts]

I too would like to know what the status is on encryption, etc.

Both what is backed up and the encryption is on Apple's site. Sorry, I don't have the links handy. IIRC it is on their front pages describing iCloud. It is also in the belly of their support pages. Backups are encrypted both in transit and in storage.

 

[daihard]

You can see that for yourself: With iCloud syncing turned off, sync your iPhone to iTunes - you will see "Backing up" as the first step in the iTunes window. Now turn iCloud backup on and sync your phone to iTunes again - the "Backing up" step is not performed.

Okay, it is finally starting to make sense to me.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1766

When the iCloud backup is turned on, the backup process happens once a day independently. It just does not show up as a "backup process" on iTunes when you plug your iPhone to your computer. The "backup" option available under the context menu (i.e. right-click your device) overrides the backup option so the local backup is performed regardless of the backup option you specify in iTunes.

The last part can be confusing. When I specify "Backup to iCloud," I expect the right-click --> back up option to perform an iCloud backup.

Thanks for giving me a motivation to look further. 🙂