Q: Question about icloud and drive

Assuming I understand your question and the description of the information you are seeing, the 1.6 GB is the back size should you choose to back up. I fI remember correctly, automatic back up does not start until you have actually backed up once (but may be mistaken - its has been a while since I set one up from scratch. Also, automatic back ups only occur when the device is plugged in, connected to the internet, and the screen is off.

As for how the back up works, it only backs up changes each successive time, and it does NOT keep a delta (i.e. the only back up available for restoration is the last one you did. Once you delete data (say a Pages file) it is removed the next time the device backs up. You will not have multiple copies of the same file.

The total available iCloud storage is impacted not just by the back ups, but by any data synced though it (Photos, and app content).

More than likely, the 5 GB free space will suit your needs, at least for the immediate future. I would wait until you actually need any additional storage before purchasing it.

this might be of some help: https://www.apple.com/support/iphone/backup/

Here is how backups to iCloud should work:

How to back up your devices using iCloud or iTunes - Apple Support

iCloud: iCloud storage and backup overview

iCloud: Back up your iOS device to iCloud

If you ever need to restore from an iCloud backup, here is what you need to do:

iCloud: Restore or set up your iOS device from iCloud

Backup/restore is an all or nothing process.  You cannot pick and choose individual files.

As for your other questions, my experience is that iCloud only keeps your most recent backup and backups after the first one seem to be incremental.  I would not buy extra storage until you know you need it.  My experience is that extra storage is generally not needed for only doing backups unless you have many devices.  iCloud is a syncing device and generally cannot be used simply as extra storage.  Some other uses are:

iCloud Drive FAQ - Apple Support

iCloud Photo Sharing FAQ - Apple Support

If you use one of the above and have many photos, then you may need the extra storage.

_Madara wrote:

 

should you choose to back up. I fI remember correctly, automatic back up does not start until you have actually backed up once

No i didnt backed up manually , not even once

You should, at least once.

_Madara wrote:

 

 

automatic back ups only occur when the device is plugged in, connected to the internet, and the screen is off.

By plugged in do you mean connected to PC ? Havent done that either

 

Btw thank you for the quick response btw my 1st question still isnt resolved even after reading links you posted

as i said before i have not backed up yet and still somehow 1.6gb of my icloud is being chewed up..i just wanna know what is in it

because excluding apps my photos and vids are of 2gb , including apps it may be 2.5 so even if the backup was of my phone as it shows on my device

shouldnt it be more than 2.5gb ? unless of course it uses some compression algorithim

 

No, if you wish to use auto back up, I mean plugged in to charge. Optionally you can back up using i?tunes.

As I stated previously, iCloud storage is not just your back up ups. Anything you are syncing through iTunes - contacts, photos, app contents - will also use part of that 5GB. iCloud storage amounts are estimates and adding up the individual amounts may not equal exactly 5 GB.

If it shows you have a previous back up, I would suggest you have backed up at least once. If it is a back up from another device, you can always delete it. Perhaps I'm missing something. Posting a screen shot might help.

_Madara wrote:

 

(i.e. the only back up available for restoration is the last one you did. Once you delete data (say a Pages file) it is removed the next time the device backs up

Can you elaborate this in simple terms, as English is not my first language

Each time you do a back up to iCloud, the previous back up is overwritten. It doesn't keep multiple copies of anything, just what is on the device at the time of the most recent back up, and removes files you have deleted from the device.

javaliga has also provided links to some other article that would be well worth exploring.

Photo Stream is a syncing process, not a back up. Different functionality and different purpose (for example, if you delete a photo from any device using it, it is deleted on all of them).

You are quite welcome.