Backup to iCloud Manually from an iPhone or iPad

Nov 6, 2011 - 20 Comments

Backup to iCloud Once you have iCloud set up, it becomes easier than ever to keep recent backups of your iPhone and iPad. With iCloud backup enabled, remember that the backup starts automatically any time the device is connected to a power source, and the synced computer is turned on and connected to the same wifi network. These automatic backups are great, but if you want to be absolutely certain you have the most recent backup stored in iCloud before you do something like an iOS restore, software update, or even a jailbreak, you’ll probably want to do a manual backup first.

Manual backups are also highly recommended to use on a regular basis if you don’t use the automatic backup feature, because otherwise you won’t have a backup of your device stored anywhere.


Whatever your situation, we’ll show you exactly how to initiate a backup to iCloud instantly on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:

Start a Manual Backup to iCloud from an iPhone or iPad

You’ll need a recent version of iOS and iCloud, and a Wi-Fi connection for this to work, then it’s just a simple three step process:

  1. Launch the “Settings” app in iOS
  2. Tap on “iCloud” and scroll to the bottom, then tap on “Storage & Backup”
  3. Navigate down and tap on “Back Up Now” *

Back up to iCloud

* Note: iCloud Backups must be turned on, if they aren’t yet you will have the option to turn them on at this same settings screen. Just toggle the switch to the ON position to enable iCloud backup for your iOS device.

iOS will give you an estimated time before the backup is complete, and there’s a progress bar to watch too. It’s generally fairly quick but since it’s uploading to iCloud the overall time to completion is largely dependent on your internet connection speed.

Remember that you can also backup from iTunes to a desktop computer as well, which is a perfectly reasonable solution for those without broadband access or if iCloud storage is over capacity, just keep in mind that won’t save to iCloud.

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Posted by: Paul Horowitz in iPad, iPhone, Tips & Tricks

20 Comments

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  1. Miah ali says:

    Can remove all 5c iCloud I’d and password forgot all the information when I register the icloud on the apple software

  2. Alfeussimon says:

    Someone get and finish my aple id and now I’m not sign in

  3. Hafeezullah Mir says:

    Hi,

    i forgot my iphone 4s pass code and then i put it in lost mode and now i was trying to connect itunes but after i connect its showing me massage that it cant be restored because its in lost mode, so i when i am going to icloud.com there i used to click on find my phone and tried a lot to disable lost ipone option but i am not able to do it can you help me on the same i will be thankful to you.

    Thanks,

  4. Didi says:

    Someone had my iPhone and I can’t delete the account as someone hacked into my phone and I don’t know their password they’ve settled on my phone and my Apple ID doesn’t work it’s frustrated

  5. abduragman says:

    I am looking for a reset code for iphone4s

  6. […] iTunes to the computer, which is often faster since you’re already connected through USB, or with iCloud if you […]

  7. […] to backup to iTunes or to iCloud before […]

  8. […] data. If you are looking to avoid that data loss, you will want to backup the iPhone with iTunes or back up to iCloud beforehand, that way you can restore personal data after the reset if you want […]

  9. […] idea to perform a manual backup, this lets you easily undo the jailbreak without losing anything. Use iCloud to backup manually or go the traditional route with iTunes, but don’t skip this […]

  10. Derek says:

    Every time I try and backup it doesn’t complete. Therefore I have never backed up.
    I do not have a computer to plug iPad into

    Can anyone help

  11. […] Everything in iCloud will be found here, whether it’s from Mac OS X or iOS, apps, files, manual backups, games, or whatever else is stashed online with the […]

  12. […] of how you decide to upgrade to iOS 6, just remember to back up first. The likelihood of something going wrong is slim but it’s better safe than sorry. […]

  13. […] Before beginning any iOS update, it’s a good idea to back up your device. The easiest way is with iCloud, which can be done through Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup > Back Up Now, but you can […]

  14. Barbara says:

    I don’t have the “Back Up Now” option on my iPad2. How can I get it?

  15. […] that if you backup exclusively through iCloud you won’t have this option because the apps will not be stored locally. You can always backup […]

  16. […] it also serves as a backup for your iOS gear. If you decide to turn this off, get in the habit of manually backing up to iCloud or manually backing up to the computer through iTunes itself, otherwise you will be lacking a […]

  17. Manasy says:

    Great tutorial, well put.

  18. Joshua says:

    You guys should add the Google +1 feature to your site! I found this article really useful because I couldn’t find out how to backup on demand…. I wanted to support it by +1ing it but I can’t! Come on, let me thank you!!!

  19. Brad says:

    I use iCloud instead of iTunes now…just easier. The backup manually feature is useful.

  20. Korey says:

    You are talking about 2 different back ups which only confuses people. Backing up to iTunes via WiFi is not the same thing as backing up to iCloud. I recommend keeping a back up on the computer but if you are going to use iCloud to sync and back up, don’t also use iTunes to sync to also, that will only duplicate information. If you are syncing to iCloud only use that, make a manual back up on the computer by right clicking on the iOS device name under “devices” and selecting back up. This will save plenty of hassles.

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