Outside of Apple’s default backup and sync options, there are 3rd party apps to help you backup critical data on your iPhone. Acronis True Image Cloud is one of them, and we are going to show you how to backup and restore data with it. The same instructions are also valid for iPads. We will cover what’s different, and use step by step instructions to guide you through the process.
Overview
What is being backed up, and where to?
First of all, it is important to understand exactly what is being backed up. Acronis True Image for iPhone can backup and protect Contacts, Photos, Videos, Calendar data and Reminders data. This is the most common data users want to backup, and that is also what is accessible to iOS 3rd-party backup applications.
The data is backed-up (copied) to the Acronis cloud (read what is the cloud if you are not familiar with the term), which is a set of servers that is managed by Acronis to keep a secure copy of your files.
Why is it different from the iTunes backups?
Using a 3rd party cloud backup makes it possible to save data without the help of a computer. It also offers a centralized way to manage backups for different devices. You will be able to browse, view and restore specific files, directly from your current phone, but also from another mobile device linked to the same Acronis account.
Why is it different from the iCloud backups?
iCloud backs-up the same set of data, and more, but the two most important differences are:
- iCloud requires the user to manually start a backup when not connected to a power-source.
Acronis lets you set things up so that backups happen automatically at all times, and in near real-time if you want to. - iCloud’s storage pricing is more expensive because Acronis has an unlimited storage option with its yearly subscriptions.
- Acronis works on multiple platforms, including Android
Perform an Acronis cloud backup
I’ll assume that you have already downloaded the Acronis app for iOS, but if you haven’t, just head to the Apple Store, and search for the Acronis True Image Cloud.
If you don’t have an Acronis account, you need to create one on the web before using the app. You can do so and start a trial if you just want to test the features.
While you may be asked for your credit card information, you will not be charged unless you actually take action to buy the product. The trial period will simply stop after 30 days, and you will not be charged anything.
You will receive a temporary login via email, and can view your new account on Acronis’ website. I recommend changing the password right away, to follow best security practices.
Step 1: Download the “Acronis True Image Cloud” app and sign in
Step 2: In the Backup section, choose what you want to backup. I recommend selecting all the options, but that’s up to you.
Step 3: Tap the “Back up now” button to start the process. As a one-time setup, Acronis will ask for permission to access each data type you selected. Tap “OK” for each. The iOS system is enforcing this step.
Step 4: The backup will proceed from 0% to 100%… how long it actually takes will depend on how much data you have. Feel free to use your phone as you would normally do, the backup will continue in the background. I personally prefer to start the first of these at night to give the phone plenty of time to upload content, while being connected to a charger.
Step 5: The backup is over! Your data has been securely copied and stored in the Acronis Cloud.
Your backed-up files are also accessible from multiple devices now. You can restore any, or all of them on a different device.
How to restore data from a backup
Restoring data is the most important part of any backup operation. In case you lose data due to a device loss/failure, or due to human error, here’s how to do it:
Step 1: if restoring to a new device, re-install the Acronis True Image Cloud app from the App Store, and sign in. Go to “Access and Recovery” and you should see your device in the list. Tap on the device where the files were backed-up from.
Step 2: on a new device, you can simply tap “Recover All” to copy all the previously backed up data to your device.
If only a few files were lost, you can simply navigate the files in the Acronis app until you find the missing ones. For example, if I accidentally deleted a photo, I can tap on Photos, and look at a gallery of all saved photos.
Tapping on a specific photo will open a photo in a screen with a “Restore” button at the bottom. Just tap, and this file will be copied from the cloud backup to your device. That’s it.
Repeat as many times as necessary until you get all the files that were previously lost. Well done!
Best settings for Acronis for iOS
Now that you know how to backup and restore your iPhone data with Acronis, there are ways to tweak the settings to best fit your needs. If you go to the Settings page from the main menu, there are a number of options, and I’ll go over all of them:
Continuous Backup
This term describes the idea that the app will backup data as soon as it is added, or modified. Most operating systems have the ability to notify apps when files have been modified, added or deleted.
Always: keeps an eye out for changes, and backup when they happen. This is the most “secure” for your data since the selected data will be backed-up, even if you lose your phone before going home.
Only when charging: the “Always” mode will use more power, so if battery life is an absolute priority, you can pick this option. It works well for people using wireless charging, or those who plug the phone at the office.
Never: doesn’t backup when data changes, but waits for the user to initiate the backup instead.
Back Up Using
Wi-Fi only: as the title suggests, this would only send data to Acronis over a WiFi connection. You should choose that if your mobile broadband plan is limited, or if you want to save battery because cellular connections tend to consume more power than WiFi. Your backups may not happen for a while until you come back home, or are connected to a WiFi network.
Wi-Fi and cellular connection: This option allows the phone to use its cellular mobile broadband connection to send data to the Acronis cloud. Data could be saved in near real time when used in conjunction with Continuous Backup>Always.
I’ll make it simple for you: if you want to maximize battery life, configure your Acronis backup as follows:
- Continuous Backup: Only when charging
- Back Up Using: WiFi only
If you want your data to be as secure as possible, do this:
- Continuous Backup: Always
- Back Up Using: WiFi and cellular connection
Most people will do just fine with these settings, but tweak according to their situation, data plan price, broadband speed, etc.…
I hope that this article will help you protect your iPhone data quickly and efficiently with Acronis for iOS. If you have questions, or if some options are unclear, leave a comment, and I will do my best to answer.
