concerning the ios backup on itunes (using mac), do the photos get stored on the backup file itself or through the photos app? say if i don't back up my iphone photos via the mac photos app and i formatted my iphone, will i be able to retrieve them from restoring from itunes the normal back up file or do i have to have the photos backed up on their own from the photos app?
iPhone 6s
From the support document, key words highlighted.
iTunes backups
From your Mac or PC, you can make a backup of your device in iTunes. Syncing your device with your computer isn't the same as making a backup. An iTunes backup includes nearly all of your device's data and settings. An iTunes backup doesn't include:
etc.
If the photos are in the camera roll then they will be restored if you restore the backup. If they are in iCloud (an umbrella term for a number of features), or were uploaded from your computer they won't be. Extracting from the backup is possible but not straightforward. It would be better to make local copies either way. I say this having read multiple posts from users who found themselves unable to restore a backup when the time came. It doesn't happen often, but archiving your backups, spreading the risk with an additional backup to iCloud, and copying off all important data should be standard practice to minimise the chance of data loss.
tt2
From the support document, key words highlighted.
iTunes backups
From your Mac or PC, you can make a backup of your device in iTunes. Syncing your device with your computer isn't the same as making a backup. An iTunes backup includes nearly all of your device's data and settings. An iTunes backup doesn't include:
etc.
If the photos are in the camera roll then they will be restored if you restore the backup. If they are in iCloud (an umbrella term for a number of features), or were uploaded from your computer they won't be. Extracting from the backup is possible but not straightforward. It would be better to make local copies either way. I say this having read multiple posts from users who found themselves unable to restore a backup when the time came. It doesn't happen often, but archiving your backups, spreading the risk with an additional backup to iCloud, and copying off all important data should be standard practice to minimise the chance of data loss.
tt2
See About backups for iOS devices - Apple Support for details. Much depends on whether or not iCloud Photo Library is enabled. Ideally you would copy off your photos (into Photos or elsewhere if desired) on a regular basis rather than relying on being able to restore a backup to access them at a later date.
tt2
i don't use icloud, my preferred backup is through itunes on my macbook, but I'm sorry I'm still not getting it, so if i choose to restore my iphone (or set up a new iphone) without having a copy of my photos on the photos app, I'll still retrieve them via the itunes mac backup file??
got it! thank you so much!
You're welcome. 🙂
tt2
ios itunes back up for mac
