Backup of multiple devices on the same storage

Question

Level 1

7 points

Backup of multiple devices on the same storage

Hi there, My question concerns creating a backup mainly of photos of my iPad Pro 12.9 inch, 5th Generation with 2TB memory and an iPad mini 5th gen probably has 250 or 500GB memory.

I have 200GB of Apple storage.

The question is, could there be a conflict in the backups, if I have both of them on backup? I don’t use them simultaneously but may change back and forth from day to day.

I am concerned about losing photos or quality of photos in the backup process. This past year I believe I had seen a message when I deselect iCloud for photos that says it may delete photos. Also, when shutting off iCloud backups it says that. (I’d rather shut off backups on my iPad mini (which I’m still using) and I have two terabytes of memory on my iPad pro.

What are suggestions on this? Does the backup storage combine the photos of each device? I am concerned that the combination would result in the device having the lesser number of photos would cause deletion of photos on the other. I wish there was an option for making backups of each device separately. Of course, the contents on documents would have to be made the same, if the apps are on the same account.

Thank you for your attention on this subject. Don

iPad Pro 12.9-inch Wi-Fi

Posted on Oct 5, 2022 9:23 PM

Reply

Answer 1

muguy

Level 10

81,799 points

Oct 6, 2022 4:23 PM in response to DEENELL

DEENELL wrote:

Thank you for your reply, muguy.

I am not sure what your saying. It appears that you are saying each device is an independent backup, but is all a single copy? Or is that a copy of each? I can’t make sense yet of this, neither from Apple, on their storage. I can’t see the point of using their storage backup if I am going to lose my files.

Each device makes its own backup. 5 devices means 5 different backups, reflecting the state of each device. However, if the devices use the same Apple ID and you use iCloud to sync some feature (eg. you have iCloud Photos turned on), then your photos have only the synced copy in iCloud.

his Apple forum should have a wiki on their home page that explains how to use the storage.

Might help to review: What does iCloud back up? - Apple Support

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

elling me I should have an alternate backup does not resolve the issue. I can still loose files in the intervals. Can’t somebody clarify all the options that can be selected on the Apple backup? It appears that if i discontinue their backup I loose my files.

See the links provided. You should still have backup copies of your most important data.

hat if I classify my storage as “family” or “group” and make a backup on each? Or at least separate the backups of photos, documents and system data that way?

Not sure what you mean by the "family" or "group" designation. Again, reference what does iCloud backup. iCloud is primarily a synchronization service but does feature device backup.

egards, Don

Reply

Answer 2

muguy

Level 10

81,799 points

Oct 7, 2022 7:31 PM in response to DEENELL

I’m don’t understand.

What part? You can learn what iCloud backs up at What does iCloud back up? - Apple Support. Essentially, anything that you sync with iCloud will not be contained in an iCloud backup. The iCloud backup backs up the state of your device. You have other backup options How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Anyway, it doesn’t sound like Apple storage is safe.

As safe as any other cloud service. It's always recommended to have 3 copies of your data made 2 different ways with 1 copy kept offsite.

Another problem, even if you don’t choose to purchase their storage, they can still delete your files if you have the wrong settings selected.

Apple has no access to your devices and therefore cannot delete anything. The options to backup or sync are yours alone.

I have included attachments that show the the possible paths of navigation. From my understanding, if you deselect iCloud backup or other the photos can be deleted. This I believe from the “synchronization” function.

Nope. From your images. P2 shows that you have iCloud Photos enabled. That's the synchronization part. Your photos are uploaded into iCloud and synced with all of your devices. The same is true for everything else that you have toggled on ... with the exception of iCloud backup. iCloud backup is enabled which simply means that your device is backed up to iCloud (status of your apps, app data, things not in iCloud, etc. Again, see What does iCloud back up for reference).

As it stands, if you turn off iCloud backup, your photos and other items that are enabled in iCloud, will continue to sync to the cloud.

As P3 shows, you have a device backup that uses almost 900 MB of space. And, you'll see that photos uses 21 GB of space. If you don't sync photos to iCloud, your backup would be much larger (by 21 GB).

Continuing. If you have a iPhone and a iPad and each is set to use iCloud Photos, your iCloud space would use 21 GB for photos. 900 MB for one device backup and some amount of space for the second device (likely close to the 900 MB but it depends on how much stuff you have on either device).

Reply

Answer 3

DEENELL Author

Level 1

7 points

Oct 7, 2022 5:47 PM in response to muguy

I’m don’t understand. Anyway, it doesn’t sound like Apple storage is safe. Another problem, even if you don’t choose to purchase their storage, they can still delete your files if you have the wrong settings selected. I have included attachments that show the the possible paths of navigation. From my understanding, if you deselect iCloud backup or other the photos can be deleted. This I believe from the “synchronization” function.

Reply

Answer 4

muguy

Level 10

81,799 points

Oct 6, 2022 4:20 AM in response to DEENELL

Each device has an independent backup. But, anything that you sync in iCloud (eg if you use iCloud Photos) will only sync one primary copy. iCloud Photos is a synchronization service and not a true backup. It’s recommended to keep a good backup of your photos elsewhere

Reply

Answer 5

DEENELL Author

Level 1

7 points

Oct 6, 2022 1:24 PM in response to DEENELL

Thank you for your reply, muguy.

I am not sure what your saying. It appears that you are saying each device is an independent backup, but is all a single copy? Or is that a copy of each? I can’t make sense yet of this, neither from Apple, on their storage. I can’t see the point of using their storage backup if I am going to lose my files.

This Apple forum should have a wiki on their home page that explains how to use the storage.

Telling me I should have an alternate backup does not resolve the issue. I can still loose files in the intervals. Can’t somebody clarify all the options that can be selected on the Apple backup? It appears that if i discontinue their backup I loose my files.

What if I classify my storage as “family” or “group” and make a backup on each? Or at least separate the backups of photos, documents and system data that way?

Regards, Don

Reply

Answer 6

DEENELL Author

Level 1

7 points

Oct 8, 2022 11:00 AM in response to muguy

Thank you for the reply, muguy.

Backup is system data and settings preferences.

Syncing should be only word processing documents that are common between the devices.

Photos is the problem - the different devices aren’t by the same camera anyway. if you don’t have enough storage space a device but the other does, removing the photos from the device shall delete them on all devices. This is why I asked about the family or group, to keep photos and all files separate. This could be a problem for the word processor.

The Apple links you suggested do say what files are backed up, but I think that their should be a step by step instructions on selecting the correct options, according to the number of devices, the limits of each device, etc. As shown by the attachments I posted, there are several options by the name “iCloud,” and “storage backup.”

Also, a problem with Apple is that often the file names of photos for example can not be read on non-Apple devices if used as alternate storage.

Then there is the problem if Apple fails in any of the its storage systems, or if alternate storage fails.

This is all that I have got time for this this weekend. I may have to go without using the iPad mini until I have time to figure this out. Regards, Don

Reply

Answer 7

muguy

Level 10

81,799 points

Oct 8, 2022 11:04 AM in response to DEENELL

Correct, if you sync with iCloud anything that you do on any device is reflected on all devices. It might be a good idea to optimize storage on your devices (which keeps originals in iCloud and lower-resolution files on your devices), or turn off iCloud Photos on select devices.

Reply

Backup of multiple devices on the same storage

Similar questions