How To Manually Select What Apps Can Be Backed Up

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Understanding iCloud Backup and App Selection

When using iCloud to back up your iOS device, it's essential to know how to manage which apps are included in the backup process. This can help you save storage space, enhance security, and ensure that only necessary data is backed up.

Why Select Specific Apps for Backup?

There are several reasons why you might want to choose which apps are backed up to iCloud:

  • Storage Space: By selecting which apps to back up, you can control how much storage space is used. This is particularly important if you are on a limited storage plan.
  • Security: Some apps may contain sensitive data that you prefer not to store in the cloud for security reasons.
  • Speed and Efficiency: Smaller backup files can be restored more quickly, making the process of setting up a new device faster.

How to Manually Select Apps for iCloud Backup

To manually select which apps can be backed up in iCloud, follow these steps:

  1. Access iCloud Settings:

    • Go to Settings on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
    • Tap your name at the top of the screen.
    • Select iCloud.

  2. Navigate to iCloud Backup:

    • Tap iCloud Backup.
    • Under All Device Backups, choose the device backup you want to manage.

  3. Manage App Backups:

  • You will see backup information for your device, including the latest backup date and size.
  • To view all apps, select Show All Apps from the bottom of the screen.
  1. Toggle App Backup:
    • From the list of apps, toggle off the apps you do not want to back up in iCloud.
    • You will be prompted to confirm that you want to turn off backups and delete the data currently in iCloud. Tap Turn Off to proceed.

Important Considerations

  • New Apps: By default, new apps you download will be included in the next iCloud backup. Periodically review and adjust your backup settings to prevent newly downloaded apps from being backed up unnecessarily.
  • App Data: Most apps back up user settings and preferences. However, some apps may store significant amounts of data, such as photos or documents. Be cautious when turning off backups for apps that store important data locally on your device.
  • Server-Side Data: Apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter store their data on their servers, so backing up these apps to iCloud is generally not necessary.

Viewing and Managing Storage

  • Check Storage Usage: Each app's storage usage is displayed below its name in the list. This helps you identify which apps are using the most storage space.
  • Photo Library: The photo library often uses a significant amount of storage. Turning off backup for your photo library can free up a lot of iCloud storage space, but ensure you back up your photos elsewhere.

By following these steps and considering these factors, you can effectively manage which apps are backed up to iCloud, optimizing your storage usage and ensuring that only essential data is backed up.

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