Recently, it has only been heard about “cloud” technologies. More and more users are abandoning the local storage of large amounts of data, transferring them to the "cloud" storage, which turned out to be extremely convenient when used at home.
Of course, Apple couldn’t stay away from this “celebration of life”. Moreover, due to its own "clouds" the operation of many devices from this manufacturer is provided. Of course, we are talking about iCloud. What it is? This article will be discussed in our article.
Basic concepts
Apple iCloud (what we’ll tell you now) is a free 5 GB cloud storage that stores files of all the happy owners of technology from the glorious city of Cupertino. Now we’ll take a closer look at the service’s work, finding out in passing how it makes all work with Apple devices easier and more productive.
Practical functions
As in many cases, one way or another connected with the creation of the late Steve Jobs, the real purpose of the "cloud" is to connect all the used gadgets into a single ecosystem. In fairness, it is worth noting that in many respects this linking is artificial, but it does not cancel convenience and irreplaceability.
In addition, the iCloud locked option is of great importance (what it is, we will talk later).
Examples of using
Imagine that you photographed something very interesting on your iPhone ... and the photo at that very moment (well, almost at the same time) appeared on your iPad or Mac. If you know something about the “clouds”, then you yourself have guessed about the mechanism of such a wonderful phenomenon: the smartphone sent the photo to iCloud, from where other devices downloaded it. Of course, all participants in this network should be connected to the Internet, and it is desirable to have the quality of the channel as acceptable as possible.
But do not assume that such a convenient synchronization applies only to photographs. It is just as simple and fast with respect to the history and bookmarks in the Safari browser. But even better is the fact that even application settings are synchronized. At this point, Windows and Android users can only dreamily breathe, since in these OSs such actions are supported by only a small number of programs.
What will be synchronized using the "cloud"?
Let’s give a complete list of content that can be used on all devices thanks to the capabilities of Apple iCloud (what you already know):
- audio and video files, as well as books and recordings of TV programs;
- videos and photos that you took on the camera of your iPhone / iPad;
- all settings of your devices;
- full data and application settings, including saving to games and other minor trifles;
- even the iOS desktop (more precisely, its settings) is stored in the "cloud";
- Messages from all your devices
- ringtones.
It was not by chance that we mentioned saves for games, since the possibility of synchronizing them became a huge joy for mobile game lovers. They can easily start playing some Minecraft on the iPhone in the subway, pause the application, and then continue crafting, settling in at home with the iPad.
Important differences from other similar services
You can probably ask a question about why all this is necessary. After all, now there are a huge number of similar services. The same Dropbox, for example. The fact is that working with them is convenient, but for each program you have to manually set preferences for saving the results of work in the Cloud. If you want to do something similar for the results in games or other applications, then you can’t do without dancing with a tambourine.
iCloud (what we already learned) works according to a completely different algorithm. You generally do not have to think about where the application will save its files. In the case when the utility developer has included the possibility of using Apple’s “cloud” in his program (which is almost always the case for iOS and OSX), it will automatically send all its data there. Thus, you no longer need to think about the safety of the fruits of your efforts.
We give an example. If approximately a month after the launch of the iCloud project, its support was announced only in a few percent of applications, then only six months after that it was already available in almost all new versions of programs. Once again, it is worth recalling that the project owes much to this result not so much with the enthusiastic support of the developers, but with the artificial policy of the Apple leadership.
Where to download iCloud?
iCloud does not need to be specifically downloaded, as this service is already integrated by default in all new Apple OSs. If for some reason you have not yet updated, just download all the currently available updates, with which iCloud will definitely come to you. What kind of program is this, you now know. Is it possible to use it if you prefer a PC running Windows?
Windows users
If you work with “windows”, you will have to perform a little more body movements. You need to download iTunes for Windows so that you have the opportunity to sync data with your Apple gadgets.
How to register?
In this case, everything is as simple as possible. You don’t have to go through a separate registration procedure, so lazy users will surely like iCloud. Logging into your account is as simple as possible: use your Apple ID with which you go to the App Store.
How much disk space does the company allot?
Note that by default, each user receives a modest 5 GB. Important! This amount is reserved exclusively for every little thing, like program settings, save games and other minor data. Your photos are not at all constrained, there are no restrictions on the place for their storage in principle. But! Only the last thousand photos of the last 30 days are stored in this way.
If you are not satisfied with the default 5 GB, then at any time you can buy more. Funds will be automatically debited from your bank card, which is tied to a specific Apple account.
Mobile setup basics
As in other services and programs for Apple devices, the setup is not difficult. We go along the path "Settings / iCloud". Of course, then you will need to enter your Apple ID. Double check that the data is entered correctly, because in case of any errors you will not be able to use the service!
In the main dialog box that opens after this, you can see a list of those applications that are allowed to save all their files and settings in the “cloud”. By the way, if someone is interested in mail on the @ me.com domain, then the corresponding mailbox is easily created in the same window: just enter a free nickname. You do not need to invent a password. The fact is that as such will be used identification data from Apple ID.
In general, this ID is your virtual “keychain”. iCloud (what we already know) is no exception to this.
Among other things, in the same window you can see statistics on the distribution of 5 GB of free disk space allocated to you. Here, additional space is also acquired if all the previously allocated space has already been occupied.
By following the path: “Settings / iCloud / Storage and backups / Storage”, you can select any device. Clicking on its icon will open you with a list of all programs that synchronize their settings with the cloud. By default, almost all applications do this, and therefore it makes sense to disable unnecessary ones, thereby saving free space on the server.
Important! The developers have provided that all backup procedures are performed only when your device is idle (the display is locked) and is within the Wi-Fi network. Of course, this process can be started manually at any minute.
Setup on Macs
There are no differences from the above procedure. All transitions are made in the same way. You can also configure permissions for specific programs. Given the size of the backups for some "large" applications, this is justified.
By the way, how do i change iCloud? Suppose you transfer your tablet to a friend, and that one needs to connect to your account. It is very easy to do. Go to "Settings", go to iCloud, and then select "Change iCloud account." How to change the account, you now know.
Do not forget only that you should not give access to your device to unauthorized users, as they can gain access to your personal data.
"Photostream"
The Photo Stream feature is likely to be extremely useful for active users of Apple's gadgets. If anyone does not know, then it is designed to automatically synchronize all photos and screenshots taken using your iPhone or iPad. To activate this option, go to the "Settings / Photos" path.
Important! If you decide to disable “Photo Stream” after the files have been downloaded to the device, all of them will be deleted. True, and copies remain in iCloud.
By the way, is it possible to make sure that all the films and music you bought immediately appear on all your devices? Implementing this is extremely simple. To do this, just go to "Settings / Shop", and then check the necessary items with checkboxes. To do the same on the PC, you need to open iTunes, go to Settings, then go to the Store. As in the previous case, it is necessary to note the corresponding points.
ICloud Web Version
By going to the official website of the service, you can use the web version of the application. To access your files, you will again need to enter your Appe ID, which will be verified on iCloud.com. What does it mean? Just the application will contact the central server, and then verify the authenticity of your credentials.
It often happens that web-based versions of computer applications have significantly less functionality when compared to “large” releases. I am glad that in this case this is not at all the case. On the contrary, all programs are almost identical to those used in the iPad and iPhone. And this concerns not only their appearance, but also functionality. By the way, there is one function that should be discussed in more detail. It's about the Find My iPhone option, thanks to which attackers have recently blocked thousands of Apple devices around the world.
Find My iPhone Service Description
Go to Settings / iCloud on your mobile device or Mac. Look carefully at the list of options: if there is a checkmark on the “Find iPad / iPhone” checkbox, then through the web service you can monitor the location of your smartphone or tablet at any time. This is the best solution for those people who often travel on business, and therefore often risk losing their equipment and data as a result of their intentional theft.
The real salvation may be just the same iCloud locked function. What it is? Information about the position of the gadget is taken from the GPS sensor. In addition, the location can be determined by any Wi-Fi point that is within reach. If your device has been stolen or lost, you can either send a message asking to return the smartphone, or completely block it.
But how to unlock iCloud if you become a victim of intruders? In this case, we recommend that you contact Apple technical support immediately. They respond instantly, and control of the device is returned subject to answers to some control questions.
Important! Even if the device is not currently online, you can send a request for blocking. When an attacker goes online, the smartphone or tablet will be blocked. You will receive a notification in your mail about the successful completion of the device lock. That's what the iCloud locked option is for. What it is, you already know.
ICloud innovations
Only the lazy in recent years did not reproach Apple for excessive conservatism. And there were reasons for this. The main reason that irritated users was the company's unwillingness to allow access to the file system of its devices. It happened! In a recent presentation of iOS 8, support for the normal file system was finally announced, which will include the fact that iCloud files will now be laid out freely, without any connection to a specific program.
It is too early to talk about the prospects of such an innovation, but users will obviously like it.
Can i uninstall iCloud?
To conclude this article, let's talk about this. Suppose you are no longer a user of Apple products. Accordingly, there is no need for iCloud. Delete an account in this case is not difficult.
Go back to “Settings”, go to iCloud, look for the item “Delete account”. You need to understand that in this case you completely erase not only the settings of the applications you used, but also all your personal files.