How do I stop my iTunes from backing up my ipad every time it syncs. This is an extremely time consuming process and is a major disincentive to syncing my ipad regularly. Any suggestions welcome and appreciated.
thx
iPad (3rd gen) Wi-Fi + Cellular, Windows Vista, backing up while syncing
You should be able to select back up to iCloud or to your computer in iTunes. Choose back up to iCloud.
For iCloud
Settings>iCloud>Storage and Backup>iCloud Backup>Off
For iTune
Only do manual backup on iTune.
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/Diavonex/Album%204/567f5273089f98ebd16 c1247ad0ee9d9.jpg
Thanks - does this mean that there is no way to switch off the back up process? i.e. is the choice simply one of either a backup to iCloud, or back up to my PC? I'd prefer to be able to switch off the backup altogether, and then just manually backup at my discretion - didn't that used to be possible? The problem is that the backup process takes so long, it means that if I just want to quickly change an iTunes/iPad setting (like adding a new photo directory to sync from) then I have to wait like 20 minutes for the backup process to finish before I can change anything. Maybe the iCloud backup will be quicker - I'll give it a try.
Thanks again.
If you set your preferences in iTunes to use the iCloud backup, then iTunes will NOT backup your iPad when you sync, you can deselect that option when you want to backup again. So in effect, by choosing the use iCloud for backup option, that "turns off" backing up with iTunes.
I backup with iCloud and with iTunes and there are times that I still have the iCloud backup turned on - but I sync with iTunes - and the iPad is NOT backed up with iTunes. It will sync only and not backup.
marschp wrote:
Thanks - does this mean that there is no way to switch off the back up process? i.e. is the choice simply one of either a backup to iCloud, or back up to my PC? I'd prefer to be able to switch off the backup altogether, and then just manually backup at my discretion ...
Yes, as others has stated, you can do this, but be warned that as soon as you choose to do this, you are then the responsible party if all of your content is lost and you do not have a current backup. It is amazing to see how many people post on these forums that Apple is irresponsible because they didn't do a backup and lost everything, so when I ready your post, I think of them.
Another point I would like to make for you. If you keep your device synced regularly, the backups should process quickly. If you let long periods go between backups they take longer to run. I remember some people needing to give their iPhones several hours to complete the backup when they upgraded from iOS 4 -> iOS 5 because they kept canceling the backups...
Thx - I changed settings now and its much quicker syncing.
Thx for pointing it out - I understand the risk and you won't find me complaining if I lose all my iPad content - I still have a pretty comprehensive local backup process.
I do that with some frequency...turn off the iTunes backup I mean. Sometimes I just want to transfer something from iTunes to my iPad or iPod Touch and I know that I had backed up earlier in the day or the day before and there is no need for me to backup again at that point.
You just have to do it when it makes sense to do it and not make a practice of not backing up - and you understand that already.
Disable automatic backups to your computer:
The picture link is broken...
The fate of all content, including your backup, on the web...
stop backing up my ipad
