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If you own various iOS and macOS devices, iCloud is a highly useful cloud-based software for backing up and syncing your data. However, some users prefer additional local backups for added peace of mind. So, how do you get all your iCloud data from the cloud? Discover how to back up your iCloud data, including photos, videos, contacts, documents, calendars, and notes.
Backing Up iCloud Data: Photos and Videos
Backing up all the photos and videos stored in iCloud is a rather easy process if you use a Mac with macOS and Photos app. Learn how:
1. Open Photos, select “Photos” from the menu bar, then click “Preferences,” select “iCloud” and ensure that you’re logged in to your iCloud account.
2. Wait for all new photos and videos to sync with your Mac.
3a. To create local backups of your library, go again to Photos preferences, select “iCloud,” choose “Download Originals to this Mac,” and wait until the backup is complete.
3b. If you want to back up select photos and videos, select those items in the Photos app, press CMD+A to choose all, and drag them into a folder on your desktop or a specified folder. Photos will export your entire library one by one.
If this tutorial doesn’t work for any reason, download your library to your iPhone or iPad (if there’s enough storage). Go to “Settings,” select “iCloud,” “Photos,” and choose “Download and Save Originals” to import the media onto your Mac through the Image Capture app.
Backing Up iCloud Data: Contacts
To export your iCloud contacts via your Mac, you’ll need OS X Mountain Lion or above, or access iCloud.com through a web browser. Here’s how:
1. Open “Contacts,” click “View” in the menu bar, select “Show Groups,” and choose “All Contacts” from the Group list. Press CMD+A to select all contacts.
2. Select “Export,” select “Export vCard,” choose where to save your backup, then click “Save.”
You can also log in to iCloud.com, open the Contacts app, select a contact, and press CMD+A to choose all. Click the gear icon in the top-right corner and select “Export vCard.”
Backing Up iCloud Data: Calendars
Backing up your calendar is possible via iCloud.com. This method can be done through a Mac or PC, but not an iOS device. Follow these steps:
1. Log in to iCloud.com using your Apple ID and password.
2. Open the “Calendar” app and click the “Share” icon beside the calendar you want to back up.
3. Select “Public Calendar,” copy the generated URL, and paste it into a browser’s address field. Replace “webcal” with “http,” and press enter. If done correctly, an ICS file with all of your calendar events will download to your computer.
4. Save this file as a backup file or open it in another Mac app, like Calendar or Outlook.
Backing Up iCloud Data: Documents
Backing up your iCloud documents is a relatively simple process if you’re using OS X Mountain Lion or later. If possible, it’s best to use OS X Yosemite or a later version, as this includes iCloud Drive. Here’s how:
1. If you’re using an older version of OS X, open the app containing the document you want to back up, select “File” and click “Open,” then click “iCloud.” Browse to the file you want to back up, select “Open.”
2. Hold down the Option key and click “File” and “Save As.” Specify where to save the backup and click “Save.”
If your device has access to iCloud Drive, it’s even simpler:
1. Open Finder, select iCloud Drive on the sidebar.
2. Choose the documents you want to back up and drag them onto the desktop or a local folder. The files will then be downloaded and stored locally on your device.
Backing Up iCloud Data: Notes
Unfortunately, iCloud doesn’t offer a built-in solution to back up Notes. You’ll need to manually copy the contents of each note and paste them into a document in Word or Google Docs for safekeeping.
FAQs
1. How do I check what’s in my iCloud backup?
Go to “Settings” on your iOS device, click on your name, select “iCloud,” and then select “Manage Storage.” You’ll see what data is backed up to iCloud and how much storage space it uses.
2. How do I delete an iCloud backup?
Again, go to “Settings,” click your name, select “iCloud,” “Manage Storage,” then select the backup you want to delete. Scroll down and click “Delete Backup.”