Why Disable iCloud Backups for Most iPhone and iPad Users

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ICloud Backup is actually a paid service for all iPhones and iPads.

The main reason why Apple is trying in every possible way to force us to back up in iCloud is the user’s transition to a paid data plan.

For a novice iPhone user (mostly girls), getting this message even on a new iPhone can be confusing:

iPhone (iPad) – Backup Failed… ICloud does not have enough free space to back up iPhone data.

Moreover, this notification is specially placed everywhere. Judge for yourself. This is indicated on the lock screen, on the home screen (icon on the Settings icon), a banner on the main screen of the Settings application, a message in the backup settings.

It would seem that after all, the new iPhone, and there is already not enough space … In most cases this is due to the enabled automatic creation of backups in iCloud or the active option ICloud Photo…

The thing is that, by default, Apple provides only 5 GB of free iCloud space for free (and this is 2020). And given the fact that on our smartphones or tablets most of the available space on the drive is taken up by photos and videos, it is not possible to fit them into a free backup up to 5 GB in size.

And the more internal memory iPhone or iPad, the more expensive you will have to buy a tariff plan to create a backup copy.

In other words, the free 5GB of available iCloud storage doesn’t allow you to back up all your iPhone or iPad data, including photos and videos. This can be done only by purchasing additional space in the cloud storage.

And people buy … thinking that it is really necessary (in fact, you can do without buying, more on that below).

Current prices for a seat in iCloud (price in rubles per month):

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An iCloud backup clutters up free iCloud storage that you can use to your advantage

iCloud is a very convenient cloud storage for iOS (iPadOS) and macOS, and with skillful use, even those 5 GB of free space will be more than enough.

For example, I have been an active user of one iCloud account on 4 devices (iPhone, iPad, MacBook and iMac) for many years. At the same time, I do not see the need to purchase additional space in the Apple cloud. My Free 5GB iCloud Over the Years daily uses are occupied by only 2 GB. How does this happen?

Since iCloud (iCloud Drive) is the standard cloud storage on Apple devices, first of all, for convenience, I use it not for storing all sorts of junk, but really for files (folders) that I may need every day during the day.

What’s stored in my iCloud account?

Firstly, all those data that are simply synchronized (instructions) with my devices (contacts, notes, calendars, etc.). I disable some items on purpose, for example, Photo and ICloud backup…

Secondly, iCloud Drive contains folders with documents (text files, scans, screenshots, photos, music files and videos), which I use regularly from all my devices.

Thirdly, iCloud Drive stores cloud-based application folders (they are created automatically when installing some applications that support iCloud sync) that I use on Mac, iPhone and iPad, for example, Pixelmator, Pages, TextEdit, iMovie, etc. …

I always turn off automatic backups on iPhone and iPad, because they clutter up all the free space in iCloud.

You ask: “how can I back up photos and videos”?

My photos and videos are always safe. For this I use 3 tools at once.

1. Google Photos – until 2021, the service was unlimited free cloud storage for photos and videos (provided that fphotos and videos up to 16 MP and 1080p HD).

Download Google Photos for iPhone, iPad, macOS (Free)
Google Photos for the web

2. Yandex.Disk – Free unlimited cloud storage for photos and videos (subject to synchronization from mobile devices only).

Download Yandex.Disk for iPhone, iPad, macOS (free)

3. External storage. All the above restrictions, for example, storing original videos in 4K (it cannot be placed in Google Photos for free), are leveled by the use of an external SSD or HDD, which is also used to collect all kinds of photo and video garbage before processing.

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The iCloud backup doesn’t actually store the most important data (contacts, photos, etc.)

To iCloud backup not included the following data:

• Contacts;
• Calendars;
• Notes;
• ICloud Photos *;
• Messages from iMessage *;
• Voice memos;
• Text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messages *;
• Health data;
• Data stored in other cloud services such as Gmail and Exchange;
• Apple Mail Data;
• Apple Pay information and settings;
• Face ID or Touch ID settings;
• Content from the iCloud Music Library and App Store.

* If options are enabled in iCloud settings ICloud Messages and ICloud Photothen iMessages, SMS, MMS, photos and videos are automatically synced to iCloud. However, they are not included in the iCloud backup.

Some of this data is also available to Apple, even if it’s not included in the iCloud backup. If the information is present on the Internet: it can be photos, notes, contacts, etc., then Apple is able to access it. This means that the company can transfer data to law enforcement agencies.

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ICloud backup isn’t the only way to transfer data from old iPhone to new one

Don’t worry if you disable this feature, you can always create local backups on your Mac or PC using iTunes or, in macOS Catalina (and newer), in the Finder (instructions).

In addition, with the release of iOS 13, it became possible to wirelessly transfer data from old iPhones or iPads to new ones. To do this, you just need to bring the devices to each other.

In addition, there are third-party apps like iMazing that can also be used to automatically back up and restore your devices.

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Personal data from an iCloud backup can be shared with law enforcement upon request (Apple planned to implement encryption)

In early 2020, it was revealed that Apple had scrapped plans to implement encryption of user-created backups in iCloud. According to Reuters, Apple made this decision after the FBI complained that the move would complicate future investigations.

This news unpleasantly surprised users. After all, Apple has repeatedly emphasized guaranteed data protection and confidentiality. But while the iPhone or iPad is locked, most of the information in iCloud, including the correspondence in iMessage, is available to Apple. The only way to prevent companies and government agencies from accessing this data is to disable iCloud backups altogether and instead make local backups via a computer (instructions).

Currently, law enforcement can request data from iCloud backups. Apple periodically reports how many such requests it receives from governments. The company can transfer decrypted iCloud data at the request of the court. If Apple introduced its new approach, this would be impossible.

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How to turn off iCloud backups on iPhone and iPad

Disabling iCloud backup is a very simple task, it boils down to pressing one switch. Just go to the app “Settings”, click on the icon with your name, and then click on iCloud…

Now scroll down to the “Backup“And click on it.

Deactivate the switch to turn off iCloud backup.

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How to Delete Old iCloud Backups to Clean Up Space

Before deleting cloud backups, you need to make sure you have made at least one local copy of your data. To delete previous backups, go to Settings → <Ваше имя> → iCloud → Storage Management…

Wait for the page to load completely, and you will see what exactly you have stored in iCloud. Click item “Backups” and you will see a list of backups for all your devices. Click on one of them to view additional information and delete it.

You can also find old backups for unused devices here. It is worth removing them.

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