How to backup Mac to iCloud: Try these 3 methods

If your Mac holds your entire life — personal photos and work files (and alike) — you want to ensure you never lose them. But catastrophes can happen without notice. Results? You may end up losing it all.

Yet, most Mac users often overlook the simplest solution to backup their data safely — iCloud. It stores all your Mac data, like photos, files, contacts, calendars, and large media files in the cloud. On top of that, you can access this data on any device anytime, anywhere.

But that isn’t all! I’ll share surprising reasons (you might not be familiar with) to back up your Mac to iCloud. I’ll also show you how to back up your MacBook to iCloud in simple, easy steps. So, let’s get started.

Reasons to Backup Your Mac to iCloud?

Besides storing your Mac’s data, Apple’s iCloud does much more for you. The following are some top and irresistible reasons why you MUST back up your MacBook to iCloud.

1. Real-time syncing and accessibility across devices

Any changes to iCloud data are updated instantly on all devices connected to your cloud storage. This helps maintain data consistency (the most up-to-date version of your data) without worrying about version control. 

2. Find My

iCloud’s Find My feature lets you track the location of your Apple device. Lost your device, or is it stolen? Using this feature, you can even lock down a device remotely or reset all the data.

3. Easy recovery

Mac stolen, lost, or damaged? Don’t worry! You can quickly restore your data by just signing into your iCloud account. Learn more on how to access iCloud on Mac.

4. Save space on your Mac

Move your data, including large files, photos, and backups, to iCloud and free up storage on your Mac. Read on how to upload photos to iCloud.

5. Data security

Apple states that it protects all data transfers to and from iCloud with privacy-preserving security technologies, such as end-to-end encryption. Security protocols like these make data highly secure and difficult for unauthorized users to decipher. Features like Advanced Data Protection extend end-to-end encryption to more data categories, including photos and notes. 

iCloud Keychain (Apple’s password manager) securely stores and syncs passwords and other sensitive information across your Mac, iPhone, and other Apple devices.

How to Backup Mac to iCloud

Now, let’s check out step-by-step methods for how to backup a Mac to iCloud. Please note that the steps may vary slightly depending on your Mac model. Let’s begin.

Way 1: Through iCloud settings

This manual method of backing up Mac to iCloud lets you automatically sync important data such as documents, photos, and apps to iCloud, saving precious space on your device. 

To do this:

1. Click the Apple icon > System Settings.
2. Click your Apple ID > iCloud.
3. Click See All under Saved to iCloud.
4. Click iCloud Drive > Turn on Sync this Mac.
5. If necessary, click Apps syncing to iCloud Drive > Turn on the ones you need to back up.
6. Click Done.

Note that iCloud offers only 5GB of free storage, so you may need to upgrade your storage plan for larger backups.

Way 2: Through the iCloud web

This is another easy and manual method! Simply go to icloud.com and then follow these steps:

1. Log in using your iCloud username and password.
2. Once logged in, click Drive > Click the upload icon at the top.
3. Choose the items that you want to add to your iCloud. All the selected files get moved to iCloud. 

Common issues with iCloud backups on Mac and how to fix them

Here are the possible reasons why you’re having problems with your iCloud account and how to fix these issues.

1. iCloud storage full 

Every iCloud account comes with 5GB of free storage. You can pay for additional storage, or you can free up some space by deleting duplicates, unnecessary files, large-size attachments, or anything else not needed.

To ensure no duplicates to my iCloud storage, you can use CleanMyMac, an excellent app that eliminates duplicates and frees up space. That isn’t all; the app can also help optimize your device’s performance and remove malware.

2. Slow backup speed 

Speed is another problem when trying to back up a MacBook to iCloud. If the backup takes time to complete, try boosting Wi-Fi signal or closing bandwidth-hungry apps that aren’t required to complete the process.

3. Certain files are not backing up 

This error can be fixed by restarting your Mac or updating your macOS to the latest version.

4. Syncing errors

Improper syncing between your Mac and iCloud account can also cause backup issues. Resetting sync settings may resolve the error. 

Alternatively, use ChronoSync Express. The app ensures that your office and personal data is safe and updated. You can also remotely sync your data with other Macs, iPhones, and iPads. Plus, you can schedule backups and syncing daily, weekly, or monthly.

How to backup Mac to iCloud: Solutions revealed

So, as you see, to back up MacBook to iCloud is pretty straightforward. You can have better control over it by using apps and tools mentioned in this blog. For example, using Get Backup Pro, you can conduct full and incremental backups of only necessary folders and files while avoiding catastrophic data loss. The ChronoSync Express utility lets you sync your files and data between Macs, iPhones, and even iPads. 

Then, you can use the CleanMyMac app to free up space on your device and to ensure that your iCloud saves meaningful and necessary data only, with no clutter. The good news is you can access all these apps with a single subscription to the Setapp platform. Take the 7-day free trial for this and dozens of other powerful Mac apps and see how it can change your life as an Apple user.