By default, iTunes backups of iOS devices encrypt certain things with the device's unique hardware key, e.g. email and WiFi passwords. If you restore an iTunes backup of one device onto a different device (e.g. when upgrading from one iPhone model to another, or if you get a replacement device for one that has broken) you need to re-enter your email & WiFi passwords (and anything else that is encrypted this way).
But... what about iCloud backups?
I would have thought that it would be the same: certain crucial data would be encrypted and locked to the device that made the backup. That way, if someone somehow gained access to your Apple ID password and tried to restore your backup onto their device, they would at least not have your email passwords etc.
But I've seen reports of people restoring iCloud backups of e.g. their old iPhone 4 onto a brand new iPhone 5 and not having to re-enter *any* credentials at all. Which of course suggests that iCloud backups don't use any device-specific encryption, like iTunes backups do (or at least did).
Anyone know for certain?
Anyone know why it's been done this way, or able to hazard a guess?
Although I can see the convenience of it, I'd prefer it if critical info on my iCloud backups was tied to the devices that made the backups, just in case of any possible Apple ID compromise.
But... what about iCloud backups?
I would have thought that it would be the same: certain crucial data would be encrypted and locked to the device that made the backup. That way, if someone somehow gained access to your Apple ID password and tried to restore your backup onto their device, they would at least not have your email passwords etc.
But I've seen reports of people restoring iCloud backups of e.g. their old iPhone 4 onto a brand new iPhone 5 and not having to re-enter *any* credentials at all. Which of course suggests that iCloud backups don't use any device-specific encryption, like iTunes backups do (or at least did).
Anyone know for certain?
Anyone know why it's been done this way, or able to hazard a guess?
Although I can see the convenience of it, I'd prefer it if critical info on my iCloud backups was tied to the devices that made the backups, just in case of any possible Apple ID compromise.