ICloud Sync Vs. Backups: What's The Difference And Which Is Better?

Video: ICloud Sync Vs. Backups: What's The Difference And Which Is Better?

2023 Author: Gordon Kinson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-06-01 01:17

Despite the apparent simplicity, the problem is very relevant for many iPhone and iPad owners. Often, when purchasing a new device, the user restores it from a backup, even when it is not necessary. You can transfer data from your old iPhone to a new one without creating backups.

So, in order to understand whether you need to make a backup or you can limit yourself to syncing via iCloud, you should understand these two concepts, because “Backup to iCloud” and “Synchronizing with iCloud” are completely two different processes.

Back up to computer or iCloud

There are two ways to back up your iPhone - to your computer using the iTunes app (Finder for macOS Catalina and later) or wirelessly to iCloud. Let's consider both methods.

In iTunes (Finder for macOS Catalina and later)

This procedure is carried out through the iTunes application (or Finder for users of macOS Catalina and newer software versions) on a computer and, accordingly, requires a wired connection of devices (instructions).

At the same time, iTunes creates an image of the copied iPhone or iPad, storing almost all user data into it - Contacts, Call history, SMS, Photos, Calendars, Notes, applications from the App Store (along with data, for example, Skype or WhatsApp correspondence), music etc.

Having protected the backup with a password, you can also transfer the "Keychain" containing passwords for Wi-Fi connection, data for authorization on web resources, etc.

ICloud

Similarly, you can back up your data through the iCloud cloud. It can be done automatically (to do this, you need to activate the corresponding option in the Settings → Apple ID (your first and last name) → iCloud menu) or in manual mode (the “Create a backup” button in the same menu).

You can view rates for additional Apple Cloud Storage here.

How to back up to iCloud.
How to restore iCloud backup on iPhone and iPad.
How do I delete backups stored in iCloud?

ICloud sync

Despite the fairly extensive backup options, users are usually advised to set up a freshly purchased iPhone or iPad as a "New Device" (item "Do not transfer software and data").

In this case, you can also recover most of the information through the iCloud cloud service by synchronizing the data stored in your account's cloud storage.

For example, you can check the presence of contacts, reminders, calendars, etc. in iCloud on the icloud.com website (you only need to log in from a computer).

How do I check if my contacts are saved in iCloud?

Available for synchronization: Contacts, Notes, photos and videos, Calendars, Reminders, browser bookmarks, e-mail.

The main advantage of the method is its simplicity; you don't even need to connect the iDevice to your computer. It is enough to go to Settings → Apple ID (your first and last name) → iCloud and specify the Apple ID account data for synchronization, after which all marked content will appear on the iOS device automatically.

What's the difference between syncing with iCloud and creating backups (on computer and iCloud)

However, it is important to understand the difference between backup and sync. In case of creating a backup copy, the user transfers a lot of additional data to a new device, it can be correspondence in instant messengers, progress in game applications, history of visits to websites in the browser, etc.

Synchronization affects only the information that was saved directly by regular Apple services - notes, reminders, contacts, etc. At the same time, only the data that was added immediately after activating the Apple ID account in iCloud is available for synchronization. In addition, almost all of this data is available in the web version of iCloud, even without a mobile device.

In other words, you should not use backups if, for example, you only need to transfer Contacts, Notes and Reminders from your old iPhone to a new one.