Cloud data storage is a new word in Internet technologies. Mobile collaboration allows you to work with large volumes of documents anywhere in the world and share photos and videos with your friends. In this article, you'll learn what cloud storage is and how to create an iCloud account in minutes.
What is iCloud?
iCloud storage was launched in 2011 along with the new operating system for iPhone iOS 5. After testing for six months, the service became available to all users of Apple products.
iCloud is created on the principle of a cloud storage of personal data, access to which is open only to registered owners of Apple products. The service allows you to save not only photos, music tracks and videos, but also backup application data. The new technology is designed to securely place personal data off the device, but to have constant access to them anywhere in the world.
The advantage of the service is the synchronization of all gadgets that support the iOS operating system. In other words, if a person purchases an iPhone, iPad, Mac and iPod Touch, he has the ability to register a shared account and have access to any cloud files from each device. The main requirement for using iCloud is constant access to the Internet via Wi-Fi.
This innovative approach to data storage can significantly save time and minimize the use of flash drives. Now anyone with an iPhone or MacBook can create an iCloud account.
Apple iCloud plans
Each registered user has access to the basic free plan, which provides 5 GB of cloud storage. This volume is enough to store personal photos from your phone and copies of important documents. However, if the purpose of using iCloud is to host larger files, such as, for example, movies or graphic sources, then there is always the opportunity to use paid plans and increase the amount of storage provided. Before creating iCloud, the user will be prompted to select a suitable tariff plan.
| 20 GB | 200 GB | 500 GB | 1TB |
| 39 rubles per month | 149 rubles per month | 379 rubles per month | 749 rubles per month |
Tariff plan can always be changed in your personal accountiCloud. In addition, it is much more convenient and profitable for Apple customers to pay with a bank card for a whole year of cloud storage operation at once.
How do I create an iCloud account?
To create an iCloud account, you need to make sure that your Apple device has the latest version of the iOS operating system, namely iOS 8. If the version is outdated, the system will first ask you to go through the update procedure.
In order to create an account, you need to go to the "Settings" section and select the "iCloud" tab. The system will ask you to enter the Apple ID number that was assigned when you activated the device, and a password. Before creating iCloud on iPhone, you need to check if the device has been activated on the Apple service.
For the most convenient operation of cloud storage, you should set it up in the same way on all available devices. After a simple account creation, you can start working with the service.
However, if the device is not yet activated, then the user needs to create a mail. Icloud.com allows any owner of Apple technology to register absolutely free of charge.
Setting up iCloud
For the initial iCloud setup, you can use the startup service. To do this, go to the iTunes application and select the "Startup" tab, after which all media files from the device will automatically be copied to the cloud storage. When setting up the device, you must firstcheck the Internet connection and its correct operation.
For data security, you can copy the entire phone book, reminders and notes from the calendar and all incoming letters to the cloud in the same way. In addition, the storage has many features that make it easy to transfer files between devices and secure your data.
For example, the user is away from home, but he urgently needs a certain file from his MacBook. To do this, it is absolutely not necessary to have a device with you. So, it is enough to synchronize its work with a mobile phone and download the necessary data at a distance using cloud storage. That is why it is recommended to create iCloud on all Apple devices at once.
What is family sharing?
The iCloud Family Sharing feature allows multiple family members to share the same account. At the moment, family sharing can be opened for up to six people, and for this it is not necessary to register a new account. Anyone in the family can access storage files and use the shared account to pay for apps.
You can set up a family sharing group as you wish. For example, choose the head of the family, who will act as an administrator and control family expenses. Children will be able to buy their favorite apps and games only with the permission of the parent, and all their actions can be carefully controlled. You can create iCloud for family in cloud settings. Such a function would be veryuseful if all family members use Apple devices.
iCloud Keychaining
For the convenience of using social networks and e-mail in iCloud, there is a keychain function. This is relevant if the user has several devices that support the iOS operating system and many accounts on various popular resources.
For a keychain, just go to the "Settings" section, select "iCloud" and mark the keychain item by moving the toggle switch to the "On" mode. After such a simple setup, logging into the accounts of frequently visited sites will be available both from a smartphone and from a tablet PC. This will save the user from having to enter a login and password each time they log in and make access to accounts as fast as possible.
iCloud: How do I back up?
No one is immune from system failures or technical device failures. In this regard, many users are wondering how to create a copy in iCloud.
In order to be able to recover data from your mobile phone or tablet PC in the future, the storage has the function of creating a backup copy of all settings and documents. This can be done with just a few simple steps:
- Go to the "Settings" section and select the "iCloud" tab;
- In the window that opens, select the "Backup" option;
- Activate the feature by clicking "Copy to iCloud" and then "Back Up".
Thus, all phone settings will be saved in the cloud storage, which can be easily restored in case of failure. After activating the function, the screen will display the date when the last backup was made. All copies ever made will be stored in the cloud until the user decides to destroy them.
iCloud Contacts
The system allows you to create a backup copy not only for your phone settings, but also for your contact list. This will allow you to restore the necessary numbers and addresses in a matter of minutes in case of technical problems with the device or transfer them to another Apple user.
To save contacts to the cloud, it is recommended to install the iCloud Contacts application, which is downloaded from the AppStore. It can also be used to sort contacts already in the phone by groups and importance. The advantage of using contacts in iCloud is the convenience of syncing with a personal computer, which allows you to find the email addresses you need in a few seconds.
However, you can save important contacts in the same way as creating a copy in iCloud. To do this, it is not necessary to install the application.
Other cloud storage options
Another useful feature of iCloud is synchronization with the iTunes application, which is designed to download music. When a user registered in the system buys a track through the application, it instantly becomes available on all devicesApple.
The iCloud Drive application allows you to store and view data in any format (PDF, doc, and so on). In other words, any uploaded file, be it a picture or a scan of a document, will automatically adjust to the screen resolution, regardless of the type of device.
The structure of the cloud allows you to create folders and categories, sort downloaded files by date and name, which vaguely resembles the well-known Explorer program in the Windows operating system. The only difference is that downloading and opening files requires constant Internet access. Therefore, any owner of an Apple device should take care of the availability of Wi-Fi or a favorable tariff plan provided by the used telecom operator. Otherwise, it will be impossible to access your data on the cloud.
Mass iCloud hacks in 2014
Users questioned the security of iCloud cloud storage after a massive hacking of accounts of a number of celebrities took place in August 2014. Personal photos and correspondence of some stars became available to the public. In addition, scammers have begun to auction personal files, demanding impressive amounts of money for them.
Apple, however, has not pleaded guilty to the iCloud hack. Therefore, the FBI immediately launched an investigation, which is still ongoing. Celebrity lawyers opened criminal cases against attackers with a demand to remove compromising evidence from the network andcompensate moral damage.
After this event, the popularity of the service fell significantly, as users began to worry about the security of files uploaded to the cloud. Many have opted to go back to more secure flash drives that don't require constant Internet access and maintain complete privacy.
Can I delete my iCloud account?
Deleting an account is as easy as creating an iCloud mail. Moreover, you can completely destroy your personal data on the cloud service of the service in just a few seconds. To do this, in the "Settings" tab, go to iCloud and select "Delete account". The system will warn you that all files stored on the cloud will be permanently deleted. The user only needs to confirm his consent to the destruction of data by entering the Apple ID and account password.
Cloud storage is definitely a technological advancement in data transfer and storage. Like any system, iCloud has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, deciding whether to trust your personal data to a remote service or use a hard drive that has been proven over the years is a purely individual matter. In any case, before you create a new iCloud, you need to weigh the pros and cons.
