iCloud is a set of Internet-based services that keeps data in sync between Apple devices and also makes most of it available online. iCloud is also a secure backup destination for iOS devices but not for everything on a Mac.

Intro to iCloud

iCloud enables enhanced productivity on one or more Apple devices by syncing data between the various applications you normally use. You rarely if ever have to “go to iCloud” to access your information. Instead, just open each app on your device and there it is.

The iCloud pane of System Preferences lets you enable or disable any of the standard iCloud services and sometimes set additional options, noted below. You can also manage your iCloud storage plan and set up an Apple Family. Contact me to learn more about these.

Separate Services

A few iCloud services are a bit more complex. iCloud Photos can conserve storage space on a device by replacing original picture files stored in iCloud with “optimized” versions. This is useful for an iPhone with limited space but not ideal for a Mac where local backup is important.

iTunes has a hidden affiliation with iCloud. You can store your iTunes music library in iCloud by subscribing to Apple Music or iTunes Match, which does not count against your iCloud storage capacity. And, Find My Mac isn’t even a syncing service. It helps locate lost devices.

Everything But…

Don’t assume that iCloud syncs everything, though. While it does handle many data types and also sync other files via iCloud Drive, it is not designed as  a whole Mac backup solution.

You’ll see iCloud Backup as an option on an iPhone or iPad but can only fully restore such a backup to an iOS device. Unlike Time Machine, these backups are not designed for picking and choosing data for recovery.

For most users, iCloud is an amazing way to ensure they have access to their important files and information. I trust Apple’s data privacy standards more than most technology corporations and feel comfortable allowing my stuff to flow seamlessly among my Macs, iPad, and iPhone.