ICloud
ICloud is Apple's own cloud-based storage and backup solution for Apple software. Like Microsoft's SkyDrive, iCloud comes included with your device and it's free to use for up to 5GB. It works with iPhones and IPad’s from iOS 5 and up, so make sure the phone is updated. You can also set up iCloud on your Mac or PC for full synchronization. Remember iCloud like every Apple service is limited only to iPhones and iPads.
Back Up iPhone or IPad Using iCloud
Prior you may be asked to log in to your Apple ID if that’s a new device or you've just completed the update, then:
Go to Settings > iCloud
Then you need to specify which of the apps and services you want to back up or sync in iCloud. Tap the on/off switch for the apps and services that you want to use in iCloud. You'll notice that not all your apps appear here, only the pre-installed Apple apps - Photo Stream, Documents, and Find My iPhone.
Go to Settings > iCloud
Then you need to specify which of the apps and services you want to back up or sync in iCloud. Tap the on/off switch for the apps and services that you want to use in iCloud. You'll notice that not all your apps appear here, only the pre-installed Apple apps - Photo Stream, Documents, and Find My iPhone.
If that’s all you want then tap Storage & Backup and turn on iCloud Backup (picture above) to finish the process.
Customize your settings
If you however want to back up more of your non-Apple apps:
Enter > Storage & Backup then choose > Manage Storage
If you however want to back up more of your non-Apple apps:
Enter > Storage & Backup then choose > Manage Storage
1. Under the heading Backups, select the entry for your phone. This one is named simply "Jill's Phone." The resulting page may take a moment or two to load.
2. You should now be on a page called Info. Under the heading Backup Options, you'll see a list of the top five storage-using apps, plus another button reading "Show All Apps." Press Show All Apps, and you can now choose which items you want to back up. You should back up apps that contain important information or files, as well as apps that you have taken a lot of time to customize. I personally wouldn't back up most apps that use a cloud service because all the app data you care about is already being hosted by the provider - not locally on your phone.
3. As you decide which of your apps you don't want to back up, toggle those to "off." A red button reading "Turn Off & Delete" will appear. If you click it, you'll still have the app and its data locally on your iPhone. All you're "deleting" is the data from iCloud's backup. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see how much space you have available. Apple gives you 5GB of iCloud storage free. Of course, if you want to back up more, you can pay Apple for extra storage space.
4. Connect your iPhone or iPad to a Wi-Fi signal, plug it into a power source, and leave the screen locked (in other words, don't use the device). Your iPhone or iPad will automatically backup once a day when it meets these three conditions. You can also run a backup to iCloud manually by connecting your iPhone or iPad to a Wi-Fi signal and selecting Back Up Now under Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup.
4. Connect your iPhone or iPad to a Wi-Fi signal, plug it into a power source, and leave the screen locked (in other words, don't use the device). Your iPhone or iPad will automatically backup once a day when it meets these three conditions. You can also run a backup to iCloud manually by connecting your iPhone or iPad to a Wi-Fi signal and selecting Back Up Now under Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup.
How to restore iPhone, iPad using iCloud
1. When launching a new (or newly wiped) iOS device, a Setup Assistant will automatically ask if you want to "Restore from iCloud Backup" Choose this option to restore your old iPhone's or iPad's data, apps, and settings.
2. Enter your iCloud username and password.
3. You'll see the three most recent backups to choose from. In most cases, you'll want the latest one.
4. From this point, the iPhone or iPad will pretty much do the rest. Enter passwords when prompted, and don't mess with your phone while that progress bar is still doing its thing. iCloud will restore your apps to the version you had rather than the most up-to-date version, unless the previously stored version is no longer available, in which case it defaults to the most recent.
What Will Be Backed Up
What Won't Be Backed Up
2. Enter your iCloud username and password.
3. You'll see the three most recent backups to choose from. In most cases, you'll want the latest one.
4. From this point, the iPhone or iPad will pretty much do the rest. Enter passwords when prompted, and don't mess with your phone while that progress bar is still doing its thing. iCloud will restore your apps to the version you had rather than the most up-to-date version, unless the previously stored version is no longer available, in which case it defaults to the most recent.
What Will Be Backed Up
- Music purchased through iTunes (but not in all countries)
- Apps
- Books purchased through iTunes
- Photos in the Camera Roll
- Videos in the Camera Roll
- Notes in the Notes app
- Device settings (for example, Phone Favourites, Wallpaper, and Mail, Contacts, Calendar accounts)
- Apps data
- Home screen and app organization
- Messages (iMessage, SMS, and MMS)
- Ringtones
What Won't Be Backed Up
- Media files synced from your computer aren't backed up, but can be restored by syncing with iTunes
- Apps, books, music, and TV shows that have been subsequently removed from the App Store, iTunes Store, and iBook store since you downloaded or purchased them.
- TV shows purchased through iTunes
Turn on iCloud on Mac
Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu on your Mac. Click iCloud, enter your Apple ID and select the services you’d like to enable.
To get the most out of iCloud on your Mac you should be on OS X Mountain Lion (v10.8)
To get the most out of iCloud on your Mac you should be on OS X Mountain Lion (v10.8)
Download the iCloud Control Panel for Windows PC
To enable iCloud on your Windows PC, first set up iCloud on your other devices, then install the iCloud Control Panel for Windows (Windows Vista with Service Pack 2 or Windows 7 required).
1. To download it go to > Apple.com > in the search box type “set up iCloud” and click “how to set up iCloud”.
1. To download it go to > Apple.com > in the search box type “set up iCloud” and click “how to set up iCloud”.
2. Then you would be directed to the second webpage, so click “for PC” and you’ll have the option to download and install Panel for Windows (remember only Windows Vista with Service Pack 2 or Windows 7 is downloadable and supported by Apple).
3. From the Windows Start menu, choose iCloud Control Panel. Enter the Apple ID you used to create your iCloud account and select the iCloud services you’d like to enable. For mail, contacts and calendars, you can use iCloud.com or Outlook 2007 or later.
4. To enable automatic downloads for your music, apps and books, open iTunes > Edit > Preferences > Store and select Music, Apps and Books (requires iTunes 10.5 or later.)