Data Backup Digest

iOS 11 is the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system, announced at their Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2017 and released a few months later in September.

The operating system supports everything from the iPhone 5S onwards, the 6th generation iPod Touch, along with everything from the iPad Air onwards. One of the good things about using Apple’s devices is that they do support the hardware for a long time, unlike many Android manufacturers who will only support a couple of versions on their flagship devices.

This eleventh major release of the operating system brings with it a host of new features. The lock screen and Notification Center have been combined, making for a more unified experience. The same thing goes with the different pages of the Control Center. The App Store has been revamped to focus more on editorial highlights. A new Files application allows users to manage their local and cloud files in a centralised location. Siri can now translate between different languages. And much more.

Understandably, users of their Apple devices are keen to upgrade to the latest version as soon as possible. If that’s you, just pump the breaks a bit. You first need to make sure that all your data is backed up.

Although theoretically your data should survive the upgrade untouched, it’s best not to leave things to chance. Spending a small amount of time now to protect your data can save a huge headache if something does go wrong. Think about all the data you have stored on your mobile device: texts, emails, photos, and more. Do you want to risk losing that?

One method of backup is to use iTunes. If you’re in the Apple ecosystem then you probably already use this. Hook your iOS device into your computer, load iTunes and then select Back Up Now. This will initiate a manual backup of all your data, which you can then later use to restore from if necessary.

Another approach would be to use iCloud. Note, however, that it does have a data limit if you’re not paying for extra space and it won’t back up everything. To use this, go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud and then turn on the iCloud Backup. If your iPhone is plugged in, locked, and connected to WLAN, an iCloud Backup will initiate. Tap Back Up Now if you want it to run immediately. To verify the backup, go to Settings > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage.

There are also third-party programs out there that will back up your data for you. Some of these work well, but it’s always advisable to use Apple’s own methods where you can to make the process as smooth as possible.

With all that complete, it’s time to go forth with the upgrade to iOS. This might take a bit of time, so make sure your device is plugged into a charger before you begin. You should find your data safe and sound when you get on the other side, but now you have a completed backup of it if not.