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3 Ways to Back up Your iPad

Don't take a chance on losing your valuable data

By Sam Costello Sam Costello Writer Ithaca College Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on November 29, 2019 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Apple iPad Macs All computers encounter trouble, and having a backup can be the difference between successfully recovering files and losing days, months, or years of data. Backing up your iPad is just as important as backing up your desktop or laptop computer. You have three options for backing up your iPad.

Back up iPad With iTunes

If you regularly sync your iPad with iTunes, back up your iPad to iTunes. With the right settings, you can sync your iPad to your computer with just a click in iTunes. If you need to restore earlier data, choose the backup in iTunes. Connect the iPad to a computer using a USB cable. If iTunes doesn't open automatically, open it. Tap the iPad icon in the upper-left corner of the iTunes window to open the iPad Summary screen. In the Backups section, select This Computer. Optionally, select Encrypt local backup to generate a backup that includes account passwords, and data from the Health and HomeKit apps. This backup is password protected. Select Back Up Now to make a backup. Verify the backup is complete by checking the date under Latest Backup. In the Options section, select Automatically sync when this iPad is connected. Backing up your iPad to iTunes doesn't back up your music. Instead, this backup contains pointers to where your music is stored in your iTunes library. Because of that, also back up your iTunes library with another type of backup such as an external hard drive or a web-based automatic backup service. This option also doesn't back up your apps. Apple removed apps from iTunes, but you can re-download apps from the App Store at any time at no cost directly from the iPad.

Back up iPad With iCloud

You don't have to back up your iPad using iTunes on a computer. Instead, back it up to iCloud directly from the iPad. Apple's free iCloud service makes it easy to automatically back up your iPad. To turn on iCloud backup: Tap Settings on the iPad Home screen. In the left panel, tap your name. In the right panel, select iCloud to open the iCloud settings screen. Scroll down and tap iCloud Backup. Turn on the iCloud Backup toggle switch. Tap Back Up Now for an immediate backup. With this setting, your iPad automatically backs up wirelessly daily whenever the iPad is connected to Wi-Fi, plugged into a power source, and is locked. All the data is stored in your iCloud account. iCloud comes with 5 GB of free storage, which is sufficient for most backups. If that isn't enough, upgrade to 50 GB for $0.99 per month, 200 GB for $2.99 per month, or 2 TB for $9.99 per month. Your iCloud backup contains your photo library, documents, messages, ringtones, accounts, home configuration, and settings. An iCloud backup does not back up information that is already stored in iCloud, including Contacts, Calendars, Bookmarks, Mail, Notes, voice memos, and shared photos. Like iTunes, the iCloud backup doesn't include apps or music, but you have options: For apps, re-download any of your apps free from the App Store at any time. Music that was purchased through the iTunes Store can be re-downloaded. Music that was obtained elsewhere can be restored from a backup using a hard drive or web-based service For $25/year, iTunes Match adds every song in your iTunes library to your iCloud account for later re-downloading.

Back up iPad With Third-Party Software

If you want a complete backup of everything, you need third-party software. The same programs that transfer music from an iPad to a computer can also, in most cases, create a complete iPad backup. How you do that depends on the program, but most back up more data, apps, and music than either iTunes or iCloud. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Transfer Messages from iPhone to iPhone How to Back up Your Mac to an External Hard Drive With Time Machine How to Back Up iPhone 5 How to Restore Your iPhone From a Backup How to Recover Deleted Text Messages on Any Phone How to Set up and Use iCloud on the iPad How to Restore an iPad to Factory Default Using iTunes How to Transfer Contacts From iPhone to iPhone Sync Your iPhone and iPad in a Few Simple Steps How to Reset Restrictions Passcode on an iPhone Downloading Music to Your iPad is Easy Do You Have to Use ITunes With an IPhone or IPod? How to Factory Reset an iPhone (All Models) How to Reset Your iPad and Erase All Content iPad iCloud: How to Back Up and Restore How to Back Up Your Android Phone to a PC Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies