How exactly does iCloud backup?

[AMSOS]

Hi. I tried keeping track of all the changes that have been made to iCloud these past few years, but looks like I am a bit lost at this point.
If I switch on E2E on iCloud, can I just setup my friend's phone number as a recovery number, so I can get access to my iCloud data in case I forget the relevant password?

Can you point me to a web link that clearly indicates all the apps-system or otherwise-that use iCloud storage space? e.g., I can see that any app on my iPhone tries to allot its own space on iCloud, but it's unclear if iCloud Drive also uses this space.

Do any of you still prefer the old way of backing up to your computer, and mostly avoiding the cloud? Other than the obvious issue of convenience, is there any other disadvantage with backing up like this?

 

[Bigwaff]

so I can get access to my iCloud data in case I forget the relevant password?

Yes. You can have multiple trusted phone numbers.

Do any of you still prefer the old way of backing up to your computer, and mostly avoiding the cloud? Other than the obvious issue of convenience, is there any other disadvantage with backing up like this?

iCloud not backup service. It is a file syncing service. So, yes, one should backup local or to cloud using backup software, e.g. Time Machine (local) or Arq (to cloud).. examples but there are many others.

Note: Hasty post as I was obviously thinking macOS. For iOS, examples one can use iMazing to backup iPhone,iPad,to local disk or to mounted cloud storage.

 

[NoBoMac]

Can you point me to a web link that clearly indicates all the apps-system or otherwise-that use iCloud storage space? e.g., I can see that any app on my iPhone tries to allot its own space on iCloud, but it's unclear if iCloud Drive also uses this space.

Link? No such thing as it gets complicated and it's really on a per-app basis, i*OS and MacOS. Apps can create their own containers in iCloud for syncing but are generally invisible to the user. Or can be visible. Bottom line, per user/case basis and what they've got installed.

(If you have a Mac, see: ~/Library/Mobile Documents to see all the hidden folders/containers that iCloud via Finder on Mac will not show)

As @Bigwaff said, iCloud is syncing, Drive is an app that uses iCloud to sync, but so do Reminder, Contacts, Calendar, etc. So all sharing same space. And iCloud Backups do as well.

And to add more variables to the mix, apps can declare whether or not their data can be backed up.

Closest you'll get to a list is the general rules for backups that Apple support pages have.

Backup methods for iPhone or iPad - 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

What does iCloud back up? - Apple Support

iCloud Backup helps keep your data safe by making a copy of the information on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro that isn't already synced to iCloud.

support.apple.com

iCloud data security overview - Apple Support

iCloud uses strong security methods, employs strict policies to protect your information, and leads the industry in using privacy-preserving security technologies like end-to-end encryption for your data.

support.apple.com

Configuring iCloud services | Apple Developer Documentation

Share user or app data among multiple instances of your app running on different devices.

developer.apple.com

Optimizing Your App’s Data for iCloud Backup | Apple Developer Documentation

Minimize the space and time that backups take to create by excluding purgeable and nonpurgeable data from backups.

developer.apple.com

 

[AMSOS]

Link? No such thing as it gets complicated and it's really on a per-app basis, i*OS and MacOS. Apps can create their own containers in iCloud for syncing but are generally invisible to the user. Or can be visible. Bottom line, per user/case basis and what they've got installed.

(If you have a Mac, see: ~/Library/Mobile Documents to see all the hidden folders/containers that iCloud via Finder on Mac will not show)

As @Bigwaff said, iCloud is syncing, Drive is an app that uses iCloud to sync, but so do Reminder, Contacts, Calendar, etc. So all sharing same space. And iCloud Backups do as well.

And to add more variables to the mix, apps can declare whether or not their data can be backed up.

Closest you'll get to a list is the general rules for backups that Apple support pages have.

Backup methods for iPhone or iPad - 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

What does iCloud back up? - Apple Support

iCloud Backup helps keep your data safe by making a copy of the information on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro that isn't already synced to iCloud.

support.apple.com

iCloud data security overview - Apple Support

iCloud uses strong security methods, employs strict policies to protect your information, and leads the industry in using privacy-preserving security technologies like end-to-end encryption for your data.

support.apple.com

Configuring iCloud services | Apple Developer Documentation

Share user or app data among multiple instances of your app running on different devices.

developer.apple.com

Optimizing Your App’s Data for iCloud Backup | Apple Developer Documentation

Minimize the space and time that backups take to create by excluding purgeable and nonpurgeable data from backups.

developer.apple.com

Thanks, this is quite helpful! I'll look through these in detail and hopefully it helps me manage all this better.

I tried to look up the mobile documents but my Mac Sequoia doesn't seem to have this. I looked in my home folder-library, then by pressing Alt while in the Go button on the menu bar. Perhaps it's not there on every Mac?