Q: How to delete photos etc when backing-up several devices to icloud

Question

lynndiane

Level 1 (4 points)

iCloud

Q: How to delete photos etc when backing-up several devices to icloud

I have an iphone5s, an ipad2 and an ipad mini but when I last deleted many old contacts on my iphone, they all reappeared after a back-up to my icloud account. I am therefore confused as to how backing-up to icloud works when each device may have different documents/photos/contacts stored on them. Can someone please explain this and whether I should delete these on my icloud account.

iPhone 5s, iOS 9.2.1

Posted on Aug 24, 2016 8:52 AM

I have this question too

Solved

Winston Churchill

Level 10 (103,351 points)

Apple TV

A:

Your back reinstalls only the data that it's backed up which isn't everything.

It's important you understand the difference between iCloud photo library and back up before jumping into doing something you might regret.

Posted on Aug 25, 2016 12:43 PM

Q: How to delete photos etc when backing-up several devices to icloud

All replies

Helpful answers

by zinacef,Apple recommended

zinacef Aug 25, 2016 8:00 AM in response to lynndiane
Level 4 (3,149 points)

Applications

Aug 25, 2016 8:00 AM in response to lynndiane

In answer to your first question/issue, make sure you are using/logged in to the same iCloud account across all devices if/when you're trying to deleting your contacts.

In response to your next question, these links should help explain how iCloud backups work --

iCloud: iCloud storage and backup overview

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

Link to this post

by Winston Churchill,Helpful

Winston Churchill Aug 25, 2016 7:52 AM in response to lynndiane
Level 10 (103,351 points)

Apple TV

Aug 25, 2016 7:52 AM in response to lynndiane

I have to ask if you really mean back up, I suspect you mean sync with iCloud.
Reply options

Link to this post

by lynndiane,

lynndiane Aug 25, 2016 8:00 AM in response to zinacef
Level 1 (4 points)

iCloud

Aug 25, 2016 8:00 AM in response to zinacef

Thank you for the links but I already know how the devices back-up to my iCloud account. My query is whether when each device is backed-up, and they each have different sets of photos stored, does the iCloud account end up with all the photos from each device but the individual devices remain with whatever they currently held OR is the iCloud account also backing up to the device too with everything it has stored? Sorry if this sounds silly but this is why I am asking because, as I said previously, I deleted several contacts on my phone but when I backed-up to my iCloud account all the deleted contacts reappeared on my phone!
Reply options

Link to this post

by Eric Root,

Eric Root Aug 25, 2016 12:37 PM in response to lynndiane
Level 9 (69,881 points)

iTunes

Aug 25, 2016 12:37 PM in response to lynndiane

Your backup reinstalls the data that was on the phone when you backed up.
Reply options

Link to this post

by lynndiane,

lynndiane Aug 26, 2016 12:52 PM in response to Winston Churchill
Level 1 (4 points)

iCloud

Aug 26, 2016 12:52 PM in response to Winston Churchill

Many thanks everyone for your help and your time!
Reply options

Link to this post

by lynndiane,

lynndiane Aug 26, 2016 12:53 PM in response to zinacef
Level 1 (4 points)

iCloud

Aug 26, 2016 12:53 PM in response to zinacef

Thank you for sending the links and for taking the time to reply.
Reply options

Link to this post

Accepted Answer · Aug 25, 2016 12:43 PM

Winston Churchill

Level 10 (103,351 points)

Apple TV

Aug 25, 2016 12:43 PM in response to lynndiane

Your back reinstalls only the data that it's backed up which isn't everything.

It's important you understand the difference between iCloud photo library and back up before jumping into doing something you might regret.

Q: How to delete photos etc when backing-up several devices to icloud

All replies Helpful answers

by zinacef,Apple recommended

by Winston Churchill,★Helpful

by lynndiane,

by Eric Root,

by Winston Churchill,Solvedanswer

by lynndiane,

by lynndiane,

All replies

Helpful answers

by Winston Churchill,Helpful