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iCloud Backup

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What iCloud Backup is

iCloud Backup is Apple’s service for backing up and syncing files and other data across devices. It supports mobile and video backup, file restoration, and storage of photos in their original quality. Users can search photos by face, create shared albums and use family sharing. The free iCloud plan provides 5 GB of storage. Paid iCloud+ plans offer more storage and include additional features that depend on the tier. The 50 GB plan costs $0.99 a month and includes iCloud Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domain and HomeKit Secure Video for one camera. The 200 GB plan costs $2.99 a month and adds HomeKit Secure Video for five cameras. The 2 TB plan costs $9.99 a month and supports unlimited HomeKit Secure Video cameras. The 6 TB and 12 TB plans cost 29.99 USD and $59.99 a month, respectively, and include the features of the tier below. iCloud is listed for iOS, and a desktop app is available. Its backup scope is files, with file restoration. The service supports mobile backup but not computer or server backup, and ransomware protection is not included.

Who it suits

iCloud Backup suits iOS users who want mobile file backup and syncing, photo storage, and file restoration. Its paid tiers may also suit people who need more storage or the listed iCloud+ features, including HomeKit Secure Video at different camera limits.

What it does well

Free plan includes 5 GB of storage.
Supports mobile and video backup with file restoration.
Photos can be stored in original quality and searched by face.
Includes shared albums and family sharing.
Paid tiers include iCloud+ features and additional storage.

What to know first

Computer backup is not supported.
Server backup is not supported.
Ransomware protection is not included.
The listed supported platform is iOS.

Limits

The free iCloud plan includes 5 GB of storage. The 50 GB iCloud+ plan costs $0.99 a month and includes HomeKit Secure Video for one camera; the 200 GB and 2 TB tiers support five and unlimited cameras, respectively.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
iCloud free	5 GB storage	Free
iCloud+ 50GB	monthly · 50GB storage · Private Relay · Hide My Email · custom email domain · one HomeKit Secure Video camera · family sharing up to five people	$0.99 a month
iCloud+ 200GB	monthly · 200GB storage · includes 50GB features · HomeKit Secure Video up to five cameras	$2.99 a month
iCloud+ 2TB	monthly · 2TB storage · includes 200GB features · unlimited HomeKit Secure Video cameras	$9.99 a month
iCloud+ 6TB	monthly · 6TB storage · includes 2TB features	$29.99 a month
iCloud+ 12TB	monthly · 12TB storage · includes 6TB features	$59.99 a month
iCloud 5GB	5GB storage · backup and sync	Free

As apple.com lists them, read 21 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit Apple’s iCloud website.
Use the free iCloud plan with 5 GB of storage, or select a paid iCloud+ tier.
Use iCloud on iOS to back up and sync data across devices.
Use the desktop app if you want desktop access.

Verdict

Choose iCloud Backup if you use iOS and want mobile file backup, photo features and file restoration, with a free 5 GB tier and paid storage options. Look elsewhere if you need computer or server backup, or ransomware protection.

Questions

Is iCloud Backup free?

Yes. The free iCloud plan provides 5 GB of storage.

How much do the paid plans cost?

iCloud+ 50GB costs $0.99 a month, 200GB costs $2.99 a month, 2TB costs $9.99 a month, 6TB costs $29.99 a month, and 12TB costs $59.99 a month.

Which platforms does iCloud Backup support?

iOS is the listed supported platform. A desktop app is also available.

What kinds of backup and restore does it support?

It supports mobile and video backup, with files as its backup scope and file restoration as its restore mode. Computer and server backup are not supported.

Does iCloud Backup include ransomware protection?

No. Ransomware protection is not included.

What do the iCloud+ tiers add?

The 50 GB tier includes iCloud Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domain and HomeKit Secure Video for one camera. The 200 GB tier supports five cameras, and the 2 TB tier supports unlimited cameras; higher listed tiers include the features of the tier below.

Facts from iCloud Backup's own pages

Advanced security: Advanced Data Protection makes most iCloud categories, including backups and photos, end-to-end encrypted with keys held by trusted devices. · support.apple.com, 21 Oct 2026
Apple Invites: iCloud+ subscribers receive full Apple Invites access for creating invitations and managing events. · apple.com, 21 Oct 2026
Automatic backup: iCloud Backup can run automatically when an iPhone or iPad is locked, connected to power and on Wi-Fi. · support.apple.com, 21 Oct 2026
Backup contents: Backups contain device information and settings that are not already synchronized to iCloud. · support.apple.com, 21 Oct 2026
Backup scope: file · apple.com, 19 Sept 2026
Browser support: On PC, Apple lists Firefox 128 or later, Chrome 130 or later in desktop mode, or Edge 130 or later for iCloud. · support.apple.com, 21 Oct 2026
Chrome extension function: The iCloud Passwords extension fills iCloud Keychain passwords in Chrome and can generate verification codes. · chromewebstore.google.com, 21 Oct 2026
CloudKit JS: CloudKit JS uses container IDs and API tokens to connect web apps to iCloud containers in development or production environments. · developer.apple.com, 21 Oct 2026
Company founding: LinkedIn lists Apple as founded in 1976. · linkedin.com, 21 Oct 2026
Company headquarters: LinkedIn lists Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California. · linkedin.com, 21 Oct 2026
Company size: LinkedIn lists Apple as having more than 10,001 employees. · linkedin.com, 21 Oct 2026
Computer backup: No · apple.com, 19 Sept 2026
Developer API: CloudKit provides framework interfaces for moving structured app and user data between apps and iCloud containers. · developer.apple.com, 21 Oct 2026
Documentation depth: Apple publishes setup guidance for enabling the iCloud capability in Xcode and configuring CloudKit containers. · developer.apple.com, 21 Oct 2026
Family sharing: Every iCloud+ tier can be shared with up to five other family members at no extra charge. · apple.com, 21 Oct 2026
File storage: iCloud Drive stores files and makes them accessible from Apple devices and the web. · apple.com, 21 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · apple.com, 19 Sept 2026
HomeKit integration: HomeKit Secure Video supports one camera on 50GB, five on 200GB and unlimited cameras on higher tiers. · apple.com, 21 Oct 2026
iCloud launch: Apple announced iCloud on October 4, 2011 and scheduled public availability for October 12, 2011. · apple.com, 21 Oct 2026
Licence: Apple's iCloud terms describe the service software as proprietary and owned by Apple or its licensors. · apple.com, 21 Oct 2026
Limit: cross-platform use: Capterra reviewers describe Windows compatibility and synchronization as less smooth than Apple-device use. · capterra.com, 21 Oct 2026
Limit: free storage: Capterra reviewers frequently say the included storage fills quickly, especially with photos, videos and backups. · capterra.com, 21 Oct 2026
Limit: pricing: GetApp review summaries identify limited free capacity and recurring upgrade costs as common complaints. · getapp.com, 21 Oct 2026
Messages: Messages in iCloud synchronizes conversations across devices and supports end-to-end encryption. · apple.com, 21 Oct 2026