iCloud Backup and Restore

The number one question I am asked on a day to day basis is, "Does iCloud backup really save all of the information on my iPad?"  Up until a few days ago all I could do was quote the websites and forums that I had read about iCloud backup.  But that didn't seem good enough, I needed hard proof.  So, I took the big plunge. I made sure my iPad had recently performed backup to iCloud and then I erased it down to zero data.  For a few moments my iPad was just like new it had nothing on it.  Then I restored from iCloud ... and do you know what happened?  My iPad reappeard.  Every app, every note in all of my various note taking apps, all of my e-mail accounts, my iBooks, even my game scores.  They were all there.  My folders and app organization came back just as if nothing had happened.  I could resume playing Words with Friends and not miss a turn.  The only thing that did not restore to its form configuration was my Kindle app.  I had to restore my books from archive, but that took a matter of minutes.

How can you ensure iCloud backup will work as well for you?  Follow these easy steps.

1. Go to Settings > iCloud.
2. Click on Storage & Backup
3. Ensure that iCloud Backup is set to ON.
4. On that same screen click on Manage Storage.
5. Select your iPad device by tapping on it.
6. Under Backup Options you will see a partial list of your apps.  Click on Show All Apps located at the end of the list.
7. Turn on backup for every app for which you want to save data.

That is all there is to it.  I visit Settings > iCloud from time to time to ensure that a backup has recently been run.