What does iCloud and iTunes Back Up (2024)

FAQs

What does iCloud and iTunes Back Up? ›

Backups from your computer

In most cases, Apple recommends iCloud Backup. When is iCloud Backup the best choice for me? iCloud Backup provides an easy and reliable backup solution. Use iCloud Backup if you want to back up your iOS devices wirelessly and automatically without connecting your device to a computer.

Any data on your device that isn't regularly synced is stored in your iCloud Backup. With Backup turned on, iCloud takes periodic snapshots of this data to make sure that it's easy to restore any time you get a new device. Between syncing and backing up, all of your data is kept safe in the cloud.

Your iTunes backup includes: 1. Purchased music, apps, and books, 2. Photos and video in the Camera Roll, 3. Device settings (for example, Phone Favorites, Wallpaper, and Mail, Contacts, Calendar accounts), 4.

Here's how it works: When you purchase items from the iTunes Store, they're stored in iCloud and can be downloaded on demand to any of your computers and devices that are connected to the internet and set up to use iCloud.

Backing up means copying certain files and settings from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your computer. Backing up is one of the best ways to make sure you don't lose the information on your device if it's damaged or misplaced.

Back up iPhone using your Mac

To use the Finder to back up iPhone, macOS 10.15 or later is required. With earlier versions of macOS, use iTunes to back up iPhone. At the top of the Finder window, click General. Select “Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.”

However, if you have enabled iCloud Photos (previously known as iCloud Photo Library), deleting a photo from your iPhone will also remove it from iCloud and all other devices connected to your iCloud account. This ensures that your photos are synced across all your devices.

iCloud offers a valuable safety net for your text messages, ensuring they aren't lost forever during a device mishap. By enabling backups and utilizing synced devices, you can keep your conversations accessible across your Apple ecosystem.

What doesn't an iTunes backup save? ›

A computer backup of your device, which is not the same as a sync, includes almost all of your device's data and settings. A backup from a computer doesn't include: Content from the iTunes and App Stores, or PDFs downloaded directly to Apple Books.

During backup, iTunes will store your photos in a backup folder that is not viewable, meant for security reasons. Also, the pics do not get regularly synced or saved to your computer device. Instead, you have to import them on the computer and include them in the computer's backup.

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.

iTunes is an application. It resides on your computer or your iOS device. iCloud is a place to store your digital stuff. Your music can be on iCloud, but iTunes plays it.

iCloud backups don't include: Data that you already store and sync in iCloud, like Contacts, Calendars, and Notes. Photos, if you turned on iCloud Photos. iMessages, text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messages, if you sync messages with iCloud.

If you're looking to move photos, contacts, and messages over to your new phone, using iCloud is your best bet. First, you'll need to back up everything from your old phone—follow the instructions on how to backup to iCloud above. Follow the prompts to set up your device until you reach the Apps & Data screen.