Some people are technology junkies and love every electronic gadget they can get their hands on. And in the smartphone world, we’re lucky to have options like the Samsung Galaxy, BlackBerry devices, and every other make and model under the sun. But some people are extremely brand loyal, as is the case with iPhone users.
It’s no surprise that seeming endless lines queue up outside of Mac stores with each new version and release of the iPhone. The iPhone really helped pave the way for other smartphones, and is always loaded with the latest and greatest cutting-edge features. But like any other technology device, iPhones do have a few flaws.
One problem with smartphones in general is that they are incredibly easy for a thief to steal. Given their small, lightweight, and compact nature, thieves can swipe your phone in a fraction of a second. Also, if you don’t backup your data, you could lose everything by accidentally dropping your phone in a puddle or the toilet (it happens more than you might think).
As such, a lot of iPhone users seek a free or affordable backup solution. IDrive generously offers a 5GB free account (read the full IDrive review), which allows users to backup their contacts, photos, videos, and other information to prevent data loss. However, for $52.12 a year, users can get a whole terabyte of storage that can be used on up to 5 different devices. So, let’s take a quick look at how to install the app and backup your data.
Installation and Backup Process
Use the following steps to install iDrive on your iPhone:
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First, download and install the iDrive application on your iPhone
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Next, open the app and login to your account. If you don’t have an account, simply sign up for the free 5GB version (who doesn’t love free?)
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Next, navigate to the “Cloud Backup” section, and press the “Backup” button (alternatively, if you need to restore data, just press the “Access and Restore button instead)
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Now either click on the “Backup Now” option in the lower left hand corner after selecting which data you wish to backup or press the “Auto Camera Upload” slider
Concerning iCloud
Many iPhone users tend to inherently trust Apple with their data. And even though Apple makes some truly innovative products and services, don’t let your love for their devices cloud your judgment. You see, Apple isn’t quite as secure as everyone thinks. They have found themselves in the crosshairs of attackers and hacker in the past, and they’ve actually lost customer data. In fact, they have been targeted for phishing attacks and have had some authentication/certificate issues as well.
But that’s not the most worrisome factor concerning their services and devices. Apple has been forced to comply with the NSA in the past, and for all we know, they may have to do so again in the near future. Edward Snowden even admitted that there were hidden features on the iPhone that helps the government collect data about you. And there’s even been talk of adding special device access methods that would allow the NSA to access any phone in the name of combating criminal and terrorist activities.
The bottom line here is that even though Apple services are sleek, stable, and sexy, they may not be your best bet for backing up data. As always, use any service at your own discretion, but you may want to consider using iDrive instead of Apple’s iCloud.
Final Thoughts
One of the great things about iDrive’s iPhone application is that the interface is clean, intuitive, easy to navigate, and streamlined. There are so few options to configure that navigation is a breeze. However, if you want to check out other services that are compatible with the iPhone, just check out our other cloud storage and backup reviews.
