Michael Spencer

Q: iPhone backup and passwords

Until recently I thought that backing up an iPhone to the computer via USB/ iTunes/ encryption was the only way to get  passwords and other confidential data synced between the phone and my Mac.

 

Isn't this true?

 

I'm asking because I saw a piece on a Mac-oriented web site extolling the virtues of back up via iCloud, which I don't do because I want to have the aforementioned data on my phone.

 

Is this the case or not? That turning on iCloud sync disabled encryption and hence disables syncing Keychain data?

 

[I'm using a new iPhone 6+ and El Capitan].

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iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11), iMac late 2014

Posted on Mar 7, 2016 7:17 AM

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Q: iPhone backup and passwords

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Demo,Helpful

    Demo Demo Mar 7, 2016 7:57 AM in response to Michael Spencer
    Level 10 (95,464 points)
    iPad
    Mar 7, 2016 7:57 AM in response to Michael Spencer

    iCloud backups are encrypted automatically. As you know, you have to set a passcode to encrypt an iTunes backup on your own.

    iCloud security and privacy overview - Apple Support

  • by Michael Spencer,

    Michael Spencer Michael Spencer Mar 7, 2016 8:09 AM in response to Demo
    Level 2 (266 points)
    Apple TV
    Mar 7, 2016 8:09 AM in response to Demo

    Thanks for that link. It would be a lot simpler if Apple would simply say that either choice has the same result: both are encrypted.

     

    I guess this is a bit of a rant but it's frustrating:

     

    If you click "iCloud", for instance, you read that 'the most important data' copies to iPhone. What does that even mean? Does it mean that everything on your phone with the exception of music and apps are copied to iCloud? Who decides what's 'most important'? Does it mean only recent stuff? What about love letters to my wife? Are they important? And not a word about encryption (which is covered in the link you provided but ought to be here).

     

    If you click "This Computer", you read that a "full backup" is made on your Mac. Sounds good! But this isn't true either, not in the sense that anybody understands 'backup'. And since the phrase doesn't appear when you choose iCloud, what is included in this 'Full Backup' that's not in the iCloud option?

     

    Argh.

     

    Yea, I know what it means. I think. It means I can choose either one, depending on what's most convenient for me. Backups are encrypted either way. Why not just say so?

     

    /rant

     

    (oh: and to complicate things further, a recent restoration to a new iPhone neglected to retain screen arrangements or wallpaper choices. Things I can setup myself, but when this happens, people wonder what else was left behind.).

  • by Demo,Solvedanswer

    Demo Demo Mar 7, 2016 8:17 AM in response to Michael Spencer
    Level 10 (95,464 points)
    iPad
    Mar 7, 2016 8:17 AM in response to Michael Spencer

    I Will make my response short and sweet. I agree with everything that you said. I will add that I find many of Apple's support articles to be rather cryptic and confusing.

  • by Michael Spencer,

    Michael Spencer Michael Spencer Mar 7, 2016 9:23 AM in response to Demo
    Level 2 (266 points)
    Apple TV
    Mar 7, 2016 9:23 AM in response to Demo

    Good to know I'm not crazy.

     

    Or we are both crazy. Who knows?

  • by Lawrence Finch,

    Lawrence Finch Lawrence Finch Mar 7, 2016 9:27 AM in response to Michael Spencer
    Level 8 (37,982 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 7, 2016 9:27 AM in response to Michael Spencer

    Apple does have more information if you can find it: About backups in iCloud and iTunes - Apple Support

  • by Demo,Helpful

    Demo Demo Mar 7, 2016 9:37 AM in response to Lawrence Finch
    Level 10 (95,464 points)
    iPad
    Mar 7, 2016 9:37 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

    Lawrence Finch wrote:

     

    Apple does have more information if you can find it: About backups in iCloud and iTunes - Apple Support

    If you can find it being the key phrase. One would think that you could find the information here. Isn't encryption an important part of the overview? If it shows in this article, I can't find it.

    iCloud: iCloud storage and backup overview

  • by Michael Spencer,

    Michael Spencer Michael Spencer Mar 7, 2016 9:47 AM in response to Demo
    Level 2 (266 points)
    Apple TV
    Mar 7, 2016 9:47 AM in response to Demo

    Thanks. It does show a bit more, but as you say not a word about encryption. and with all of the energy around Apple regarding iPhone safety you'd think this would be available info.

     

    I draw one more conclusion:


                      THERE IS NO WAY TO FULLY BACKUP AN IPHONE.

     

    Not in the sense that anybody understands backup, which means a timestamped copy of your iPhone with no exceptions. EVERYthing, including Apple Pay, and including where your icons are and your wallpaper and every other single thing. Touch ID. And what about the dozens of MP3 audio books on my iPhone? What about gigabytes of data on my phone that's used by Filemaker?

     

    Anybody remember the days when Finder wouldn't copy those 400k disks? And then somebody invented a bit-by-bit method that copied everything including the copy protection? The situation with the iPhone seems similar, in some ways (and different).

     

    I can't remember ever being this ****** off at Apple. Since 1984. Then add the confusing mess that is Photo Stream and iCloud and Photos. What a mess.

     

    (and apologies to everyone for the ranting).