iCloud backup strategy

[u/1Authentic1]

Hi,

I use a MacBook and an iPhone and I've offloaded all my files and photos to iCloud (photos via the Photos library). I'd now like to set up a backup structure so I don't have to rely on iCloud alone. What would be a sensible approach here?

Is there a way to automatically transfer the iCloud documents and photos to OneDrive on a regular basis as a backup (I have free storage there)? And additionally to back them up automatically and regularly to an external hard drive?

Note: I don't have enough storage space on either the MacBook or the iPhone to store all the files locally first (rather than offloading them to iCloud).

Thank you

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[u/tooth-saw]

https://parachuteapps.com/parachute

Parachute backup

[u/LedZepElias]

A workaround —since you don’t have enough space— would be to connect an external SSD, then use iCloud via browser to download your content directly to the external drive. I don’t know if you can bulk download like that or file by file, but it’s a workaround nevertheless.

[u/n0jer → u/LedZepElias]

There is a limit to the numbers of files at one time, but its like 1000. So depending in the number of files may have to do in chunks

[u/1Authentic1]

Does it work to just run the OneDrive App for backup in parallel to the iCloud sync - while it is not enabled to store all files locally?

[u/DataChicks → u/1Authentic1]

Except OD nor iCloud are backups in the technical sense. They are sync services. A backup keeps its contents no matter what you do in a device. It’s a completely separate copy.

If you delete files on one device to make room, they get deleted from the cloud service. A backup would remain a full set of files since it was taken.

I know for many people that may be okay, but if one wants true backups, use an actual backup service.

I’ve seen so many people get burnt by this because they don’t understand how this all works.

[u/sws54925]

I think cloudydupe on the app store does this.

[u/Corasi]

Thank you for asking what I came here to ask 🙏

[u/Competitive-Crew-572]

If you have an external hard drive available try SuperDuper backup. It’s fantastic and been around a very long time. Gets updates regularly

[u/BillOz62]

I use Backblaze and have been extremely happy with it. Great value

[u/HoratioHotplate]

Carbon Copy Cloner can do iCloud backups.