When you purchase any Apple device, you will be invited to create an ID that you will need to access iCloud. The ID and the iCloud account you create allow you to log in on the device. It then can access data stored on the cloud and will enable you to transfer it to the new device. While Apple has various elements, iCloud is a distinctive one and a vital piece that ensures your digital business is stored in the cloud and synced to any other device you might have.
Nevertheless, there has been a lot of confusion surrounding this technology. Therefore, if you need to learn more about iCloud, we are here to help. This article will clear up the confusion on iCloud to educate you on its importance when using an Apple device.
Explaining iCloud and What It Does
There is a common misconception that iCloud is like any other cloud storage solution. While it keeps data in the cloud, iCloud does more work. It has been designed by the Apple Company to unify all Apple devices seamlessly. Consider a service like DropBox. This technology helps store and share files. You will need to upload your pictures, videos, and documents on DropBox manually to keep them safe. You can sync the files on other devices for ease of accessibility when you need them.
On the other hand, iCloud takes another approach. It is a single technology that integrates all your Apple devices. Whether a Mac, iPad, or iPhone, you can have the same experience and access the same data. It is more convenient with videos and photos. When you take a picture with your iPhone, iCloud is in the background, backing it up automatically and syncing it with all other Apple devices you might have. iCloud eliminates the manual effort of backing up or accessing your files. Yet, it is crucial to keep in mind that when you delete a file from iCloud on one Apple device, the file is also deleted on all other devices.
What Can You Store on iCloud?
One advantage of iCloud is that it offers versatility. You can store almost anything. Some people store their files on an external device before uploading them to iCloud. It is still a method of keeping your data safe. You can learn how to back up iphotos to external drive and the process is simple. All you need is to plug in the external drive and follow the prompts. Once you open the Finder window on your device, select the external drive from the Location bar. Open the Photos app from the Dock folder and move it close to the Finder window. You can then highlight the photos and drag and drop them on the external drive.
If you keep your files on iCloud, here is what you can store:
Videos and Photos: iCloud will store all videos and pictures from your Apple device.
Messages, contacts, mail, and calendar: It also syncs all these services to give you a unified experience.
Health data: iCloud also stores your health data. If you are on a fitness journey, you can use iCloud to keep track.
iCloud Drive: iCloud stores all documents, from PDFs to Pages, reports, etc. Just remember that the files should not exceed 50GB.
Device back-ups: You can also store all essential back-ups on iCloud.
iCloud keychain: Secure your login information and passwords on iCloud
Third-party apps: Your third-party apps are also safe and secure on iCloud
Browser information: Everything you browse or save in your browser is stored in iCloud.
The Difference Between iCloud and iCloud Drive
There is a confusion between iCloud and iCloud drive, where people use them interchangeably. iCloud drive is like a vault for your files. You can view it as a Photo app for your PDFs, spreadsheets, documents, etc. You can also store some videos and photos on iCloud Drive. The point where iCloud Drive differs from iCloud is that the former gives you options when you want to delete a file.
If you want to get rid of a file, you can put it in the bin, and it will be deleted forever. You can also choose “Remove Download,” where the file is deleted from your device but safe in the cloud. You can also access the file from other devices. The computer will learn about the files you use frequently and keep them on the device and synced with the cloud. It also removes the files you rarely use.
Understanding How iCloud and iCloud Drive Back-Up Data
If you have lost your iPhone and acquired a new one, you can still access your data, thanks to iCloud. It backs up your device data, allowing you to transfer it to the new device. It is important to note that iCloud drive and iCloud photos are separate. An Apple ID has 5GB of free iCloud storage space. Once you fill the storage, you can upgrade to more for a monthly fee. You can also delete files to manage the storage.
The Bottom Line
You can see from the information that an iCloud account does more than storing data; it offers more services such as storage, sharing and streaming that helps you manage your data and maintain privacy. With this guide, we hope understanding iCloud is no longer confusing. This technology has been designed to give you a seamless and smooth experience when using Apple devices.
