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iCloud backs up when you plug in your phone at night without any configuration. Requirements to back up to your own computer include... - Owning a computer -

iCloud backs up when you plug in your phone at night without any configuration. Requirements to back up to your own computer include... - Owning a computer - Plugging your phone into your computer - Having iTunes always running (if it's not a Mac) Additionally, Apple provides a very convenient API where you can store files and have it show up on related devices after calling a sync function. Many apps which store user data use this, and it requires iCloud if you want to sync between Mac and iOS or iOS to iOS. It's a very common pattern, some popular apps that use it: GoodNotes, Studies, Notability, WhatsApp, Linea, and every Apple-made app.

reaperducer 7y ago
Owning a computer You mean I have to own a computer to back up my phone to a computer that I own? Scandalous! Next thing you know, you'll tell me that I have to own a phone in order to back up my phone. Plugging your phone into your computer If an iPhone is charging and on the same wifi network as the computer, it will automatically sync at night. There's a checkbox for it. Having iTunes always running Or you just fire up iTunes when you want to sync. Once a week, or month, or whatever works for your schedule.
- ReverseCold 7y ago
  > You mean I have to own a computer to back up my phone to a computer that I own? Many people only own an iPhone and nothing else. > If an iPhone is charging and on the same wifi network as the computer, it will automatically sync at night. Even fewer people have a computer that stays on all night. > Or you just fire up iTunes when you want to sync. Sure, something you have to remember to do. The main point though is that many apps that have sync capabilities require iCloud. iTunes backups do not work for sync.
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scarface74 7y ago
Before iCloud, apps were doing this using Dropbox APis. It can be done without iCloud.

reaperducer 7y ago

Owning a computer You mean I have to own a computer to back up my phone to a computer that I own? Scandalous! Next thing you know, you'll tell me that I have to own a phone in order to back up my phone. Plugging your phone into your computer If an iPhone is charging and on the same wifi network as the computer, it will automatically sync at night. There's a checkbox for it. Having iTunes always running Or you just fire up iTunes when you want to sync. Once a week, or month, or whatever works for your schedule.

ReverseCold 7y ago
> You mean I have to own a computer to back up my phone to a computer that I own? Many people only own an iPhone and nothing else. > If an iPhone is charging and on the same wifi network as the computer, it will automatically sync at night. Even fewer people have a computer that stays on all night. > Or you just fire up iTunes when you want to sync. Sure, something you have to remember to do. The main point though is that many apps that have sync capabilities require iCloud. iTunes backups do not work for sync.
- deleted 7y ago
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scarface74 7y ago

Before iCloud, apps were doing this using Dropbox APis. It can be done without iCloud.