You can back up your files either to iCloud, your Mac, or your PC. Here’s how to backup your iPad to iCloud: If you’d rather save your backup on your computer, it is just as easy. Read our article below for complete step-by-step instructions on the “hows” and “whys” of performing an iPad backup. However, safeguarding that data doesn’t happen by accident. Knowing why and how to backup iPad is something every iPad owner should understand… and regularly do.
Where Should You Backup iPad?
When it comes to backing up your iPad, you have a couple of choices:
You can send your data to the cloud (iCloud) for the convenience of being able to restore a backup anytime and anywhere you have a Wi-Fi connection. If you prefer to avoid the security risks inherent with storing private information in the cloud, you can choose to save your backup data to your computer’s hard drive.
Of course, you can always do both. Saving a backup file in two different locations offers an added measure of safety.
How to Set Up Automatic iPad Backups to iCloud
Regularly backing up your iPad to iCloud is quite easy, and this is by design. Apple is renowned for making devices as simple as possible to use, and that includes letting users manage storage.
iCloud Backup: Pros and Cons
How to Backup iPad to a Computer
If you prefer to keep your backup stored on your computer’s hard drive, the process will vary depending on whether you have a PC or Mac. If you have a Mac, the process will also depend on the operating system you have installed. Each procedure is covered below.
Mac OS Catalina 10.15+ — Use Finder to backup iPad Mac OS Maverick 10.14 or earlier — Use iTunes to backup iPad PC — Use iTunes for Windows to backup iPad
How to Backup iPad using Finder
For Mac users with OS Catalina 10.15 or later installed, you use Finder to backup your iPad.
How to Backup iPad using iTunes
If you’re using a PC or a Mac with OS Maverick 10.14 or earlier installed, you use iTunes to backup iPad. You can find the backup files stored on your computer by choosing Edit > Preferences > Devices.
Computer Backup: Pros and Cons
Why You Should Back Up Your iPad
There are a number of reasons to regularly do an iPad backup. While some scenarios might seem quite remote, having a recent backup of your Apple devices makes the situation much less stressful.
You’re protected if you lose or break your iPad
Nobody plans to lose or break their expensive iPad. But if tragedy strikes, it’s better to have a copy of your important information. After all, the device can be easily replaced. But all the important photos, notes, and documents? Likely gone forever — unless you have a backup.
You want to simplify your backups
If you’re like most people, you use myriad apps on your iPad. Most promise to save your information to the cloud, and if you have to restore that data in the future, the apps make it relatively easy to do so. But what about device settings that aren’t sent up to cyberspace for safekeeping? Or files that are saved on your iPad itself? With a regular iPad backup schedule, you capture all the scattered data in a single place — your backup file. A file that can be easily restored with just a few screen taps.
Your data is safe in a cybercrime attack
While it seems like big companies and global enterprises are the usual targets of cybercriminals, regular people are just as much at risk to fall victim to scammers and hackers with bad intentions. If your iPad is infected with malware or a virus, or if you fell victim to a phishing scam, having your important data stored elsewhere can provide you some much-needed peace of mind. In situations like these, the value of regularly backing up your iPad becomes crystal clear.
How to Restore iPad Data from a Backup
If catastrophe strikes, restoring a backup file is easy.
Restore from an iCloud Backup
Since you will be prompted for your AppleID to continue the process, have that login information handy before you begin.
Restore from a Computer Backup
iPad Privacy Concerns
Using any device that connects to the internet raises privacy concerns for most users. An iPad is no exception. There are several ways you can protect your sensitive data and make your iPad more private.
Reconsider cloud backups. Anytime you send your data to the cloud, it inherently adds a level of risk not present when you save that same information to your local computer. iCloud uses AES-256 encryption, and it’s pertinent to mention that iCloud security has improved dramatically over the years. Review your iPad privacy settings. Whether you are concerned about exposing your kids to risk while they use an iPad or simply want to keep your activities as private as possible, periodically verifying your iPad privacy settings is always a good idea. Use a VPN. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is one of the best ways to ensure your safety online. When you use a VPN to access the web, you anonymize yourself online, encrypt all the data you send over the internet, and even bypass the geographic restrictions inherent to your actual location. Using a VPN is easy, and it costs very little to add this layer of protection to your daily internet use.
Final Thoughts
Nobody wants to imagine the worst happening to their expensive iPhone or iPad. Unfortunately, breaking or losing these devices happens with surprising frequency. To best position yourself for a speedy recovery in the face of a device tragedy, keeping a current backup of your data is a very sensible thing to do. Apple also takes iCloud security ver Whether you keep that backup in the cloud or on your computer, the important thing is that you have the information saved… just in case. With OS Catalina 10.15 or later installed, you use Finder. For Macs running earlier operating systems, you use iTunes to backup your iPad. For Mac users with OS Catalina 10.15 or later installed, you use Finder to backup your iPad. If you’re using a PC or a Mac with OS Maverick 10.14 or earlier installed, read our full article for step-by-step instructions on using iTunes to backup your iPad data. Be sure to check out our full article to find out how to backup iPad other ways, how to restore your valuable data, and the privacy concerns you should think about. Read our full article to find out how to backup iPad other ways, how to restore your valuable data, and privacy concerns you should think about. If it does and you still cannot do a backup, check to make sure you have enough storage space on your iCloud account to hold the backup. If not, you may need to buy additional storage from Apple. You can check how much available space you have and see how much you’ll need for your next backup file. From iCloud: You will be prompted for your AppleID to continue the process, so have that login information handy before you begin. Read our full article to find out how to restore your Ipad backup file from your computer.
