iCloud: Backup and restore overview

Summary

This article outlines how iCloud Backup works, what data is backed up, and how Backup uses your iCloud storage.

Products Affected

iCloud

Backup overview

iCloud automatically backs up the most important data on your iOS 5 device. Once you have enabled Backup on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch in Settings > iCloud > Backup & Storage, it will run on a daily basis as long as your device:

  • is connected to Internet over Wi-Fi
  • is connected to a power source
  • is screen locked

You can also back up manually whenever your device is connected to Internet over Wi-Fi by choosing Back Up Now from Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup.

 

What is backed up

You get unlimited free storage for:

  • Purchased music, TV shows, apps, and books *


You get 5GB of free iCloud storage for:

  • Photos and videos in the Camera Roll
  • Device settings (for example: Phone Favorites, Wallpaper, and Mail, Contacts, Calendar accounts)
  • App data
  • Home screen and app organization
  • Messages (iMessage, SMS, and MMS)
  • Ringtones

 
You can select which applications back up their data and see how much storage space each application is using:

  1. On your Home Screen, tap Settings
  2. Tap iCloud
  3. Tap Storage & Backup
  4. Tap Manage Storage
  5. Select the device you want to manage

If you need more iCloud storage, you can purchase additional iCloud storage from your iOS device, Mac, or PC.

 The following items are not backed up to iCloud. You can sync these items with a computer using iTunes:

  • Music and TV shows not purchased from the iTunes Store
  • Movies, podcasts, and audio books
  • Photos that were originally synced from your computer

 

How content is restored to a new device

When you go through Setup Assistant on a new iOS 5 device, choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" and enter your iCloud account and password. You will see the three most recent backups for each of the devices on which you enabled Backup. Choose which backup to restore from.

After your device restarts, your settings and accounts are restored and Backup starts downloading your purchased music, TV shows, apps, books, Camera Roll, and other content.* You may be prompted to enter the passwords for all accounts enabled on your device.

A progress bar will appear underneath the apps that are being downloaded. To prioritize the restore of a specific app, tap its icon. Restore will attempt to download the same version of the app that you had installed previously. If that version is no longer available, the latest version of the app will be restored.

If you are using iTunes Match (U.S. only), you can download any of your songs, albums, or playlist from iCloud after the restore is complete.

To check if the restore is complete, go to Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup.

 

Troubleshooting Backup

  • For information about error messages that appear when your device is trying to back up your data, read this article.
  • For information about error messages that appear when you are trying to restore to a new device, read this article.

 

* Backup of purchased music is not available in all countries. Backup of purchased TV shows is U.S. only. Previous purchases may not be restored if they are no longer in the iTunes Store, App Store, or iBookstore.

Important: Information about products not manufactured by Apple is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute Apple’s recommendation or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.
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