I'm new to iCloud, and just wondering about the backup size. I have 4.5 GB of apps on my iPad, however when i back the iPad up to iCloud, it only shows a total backup size (including everything) of 150 MB. Isn't this supposed to backup app data as well as the base app itself? Or do I need to flick an option somewhere? Thanks.
Hi rjltj55,
Yeah, you need to go to Settings>iCloud and make sure you turn on anything in the list on the first page you see that you want backed up. Then click on Storage & Backup and just make sure that your iCloud Backup button is also on (sounds like it is).
Cheers,
GB
Hey gail from maine,
Yeah i've done that, but the backup file size is still extremely small. I have it set to backup everything.
Yeah, sorry - I'm not sure. Go to Settings>iCloud>Storage & Backup, then click on Manage Storage. Then, click on the backup for device you are using to look this up. It will provide a detail of exactly what is in the Backup for that device (if you are backing up other devices, and click on them, it will only show you the last backup date and size).
See if you can tell where the discrepancy lies by looking at exactly what is going to your backup.
Cheers,
GB
The discrepancy lies with nearly every app. On my actual iPad under usage, for instance, Simpsons Tapped Out is listed as being 1.1 GB in size. However, when I go into Manage Storage under iCloud, that same app is listed as only backing up 121 KB. Which I would assume is simply the base application, and none of the data. So is there an option somewhere I'm missing to not only back up the base app, but also all accumulated data? Or is this an entirely different problem?
Yeah - I compared what I was seeing on my device vs. the backup sizes, and the backups were all smaller for me too. I looked around to see if there was anything out there that explains this, but couldn't find anything. I'll see if fellow community member randers4 is on tonight. He knows a lot about the nitty gritty of iCloud - maybe he can shed some light on this....
Stand by....(it could be a bit before we get more info, but keep an eye out for further details!)
Cheers,
GB
Okay thanks.
I'm wondering if maybe iCloud automatically zips all app data into a smaller file when it backs up. Although i can't believe Apple has a way of compressing a file that much.
You're right. For example, if you had a 32GB iPad and filled it up, the backup would not be 32GB in size. It's compressed, as you said. If you are worried, you can make a backup in iTunes to ensure everything gets backed up (like having a backup backup), then as an experiment, restore from your iCloud backup and see if your app data is there.
Interesting. I didn't think it was possible to go from 1GB down into the 100KB range. I guess I'll have to trust it though. 🙂
Thanks stevejobsfan for coming to the rescue! I sent an SOS to randers4, but looks like he is off tonight. I should have known that you would know!!! 🙂
GB
iCloud Backup does not backup what can be downloaded from iCloud again,
see: iCloud: iCloud storage and backup overview http://support.apple.com/kb/PH12519
Your iOS device backup only includes data and settings stored on your device. It doesn’t include data already stored in iCloud, for example contacts, calendars, bookmarks, mail messages, notes, shared photo streams, My Photo Stream, and documents you save in iCloud using iOS apps and Mac apps.
So if your app stores all data in iCloud, it will count against your cloud storage, but not use backup storage. An backup to iTunes will include more items.
Just to add to what's all ready been said since the OP appears to be discussing backing up the apps themselves.
There's no way you can compress 4.5 GB into 150 MB, not only isn't data stored in the cloud such as photos, tunes etc (incidentally, I'm not convinced contacts etc aren't, but that's another matter) stored in the back up, neither are the apps themselves, since they too can be redownloaded at will.
iCloud backup size?
