The European Union's privacy regulations (GDPR) has forced all major tech companies to revisit their privacy and data collection policies. One of them is Apple. The company recently announced a new way for the users to download their data locally. Not only this, if you wish to leave Apple’s ecosystem for good, Apple will also allow you to delete all your data before closing your account.
With high profile hacks on the rise and tech giants using and abusing user data for their gain, users are left with little to no choice. You can’t really live without these services and a world without them seems no longer possible.
Let’s see how Apple has responded to the EU’s request and how you can download and delete your data from the Apple servers.
Drag files from the desktop or a folder window on your computer to the iCloud Drive window or a folder icon in the iCloud Drive window. If you drag to a folder icon, it becomes highlighted to confirm that the item you’re dragging will go into the folder. Use the latest version of macOS. Update to the latest version of macOS. Go to Apple menu. Sign in to iCloud to access your photos, videos, documents, notes, contacts, and more. Use your Apple ID or create a new account to start using Apple services. Jun 25, 2019 If you want to download iCloud backup photos, simply select the photos you want to download to PC/Mac, and click the download button on the top right corner on the screen. Except for photos, if you want to download other iCloud backup files, like notes, reminders, contacts and calendar, you are only allowed to preview and copy the specific.
1. Be Selective
Apple has millions of users around the world. That's why Apple may have concealed the options so that you can’t download your data immediately. You have to request it. More on that later.
The first thing you have to do is visit the new Privacy site by clicking on the link below. Once you are there, login using your Apple ID. Forgot your password? No problem.
Visit Apple Data & Privacy Site
Once in, a few options will greet you right away. You can request to download a copy of your data. Also, you can update (edit) your data if you believe there are some errors like address or credit card details, deactivate your account in case you longer need it, and even delete your account if you wish to leave the Apple ecosystem for good.
I am happy to see how Apple has made it easy for anyone to do it. We will be focusing on the first option. Under Obtain a copy of your data, click on Request a copy of your data.
Now, as an Apple MacBook or iPhone/iPad user, Apple has collected a lot of data on you over the years in different file formats like PDF, JSON, CSV, and so on. Apple will share a list with you.
Most of those files are from the apps that you have been using like browsers, notes, gaming center, maps (location data), contacts, and so on. Some are unexpected like AppleCare and support history, Retail Stores activity, and Apple Pay. In the next screen, you get to choose which data would you like to download. You can pick any or all.
I would suggest you to simply click on the Select all button if you are planning to delete or deactivate your Apple account. Even if that is not the case, having a copy of your data on a secured local hard drive is a good idea.
Some items on the list have a More link next to them. Clicking on them will reveal additional info on the kind of data that will be downloaded with it. You can choose individual items from the list.
At the bottom, there is another list with only three items. If you are using an Apple device, you are most probably using iCloud for photos, emails, and documents. If that is the case, you will have to select any or all here. You must wonder why they are listed separately. Well, Apple notes that these files can be huge and may take time to download.
Once you are done selecting the type of data that you wish to download, click on Continue.
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2. Choose a Size
In the next screen, Apple will ask you to choose a ‘maximum file size.’ That confuses most users so I will break it down for you. If you select 1GB here and the size of your total data is 4GB, then Apple will divide and create 4 downloadable files, each of 1GB.
Why? Because Apple understands that not everyone has access to a high-speed Internet connection and downloading huge files may get difficult. Having to restart the download just before it was about to complete is the worst thing that could happen to anyone. So you get five options between 1GB to 25GB. Choose one based on how much iCloud storage you are using.
When done, click on Complete Request. There are total 16 apps and services, just in case you are wondering.
3. Downloading Data
Apple will now tell you to wait for an email that it will send to your registered email ID. The process may take up to seven days to complete. That is done ensure that you indeed initiated the request. There is a handy link to track the status of the request.
Here is how the request looks like. It will tell you the exact date and time of placing the request, and the categories of data you selected.
Now, we wait for the email that notifies — your data files are ready for download. For security reasons, you won't receive the files via email. Instead, you get a download link that takes you back to the Apple Privacy site. As requested, the files will be available to download based on data type and requested file size.
Each item will have its separate file that you can download within 30 days from the date when the request was submitted, and not the day when your download was ready and mailed to you.
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Peace of Mind
Downloading your data from the servers of any tech giant, be it Apple or Instagram, gives you a sense of control over your data, if nothing else. You own it (or a digital copy of it) now. In case of a hack or a security lapse, you can use it to restore the said data to your Apple account.
Next up: Want to take a backup of your Mac data too while you are at it? Click on the link below to learn how to do it now.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read NextHow to Backup Your Mac and Keep it SecureAlso See
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As one of the most useful and important services for iOS device users, iCloud allows you to automatically sync all the data and content on all your iOS devices. It is a useful service that helps you save your data from loss. However, we sometimes need the data on iCloud for further use. How can we make it?
In this article, we are going to focus on how to download iCloud on your MacBook.
1 How to Set up iCloud on Mac
To set up iCloud on a Mac, you need to be running Mac OS X 10.7.2 or later. So, if your Mac is not up to date, download and install the latest version before you continue. If it is, follow these simple steps to set up iCloud on your Mac.
Step 1: Open System Preferences from the Apple Menu
Step 2: Under the “Networking” section, select “iCloud”
Step 3: Enter your Apple ID or create one if you don’t have one yet.
Step 4: Choose the apps and items you want to sync with iCloud.
2 How to Download iCloud Data through iCloud.com on MacBook
If you want to download content from your iCloud account to a MacBook, the easiest way would be to log in to iCloud.com from your browser and the select the content you want to download . Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Log in to iCloud.com using your Apple ID and password.
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Step 2: Click on the type of data you want to download for example, Photos
Step 3: Select the individual photo you want to download
Step 4: Once the photo is loaded on to the screen, click on the download icon on the upper right corner of the browser window and the photo will be downloaded to your computer.
Repeat the process for all the other content you want to download.
3 How to Download up to 20 File Types from Your iCloud Backup on Mac
The above process could take a while especially if you have a lot of content to download. Also, you may not be able to see all the content on iCloud.com. There is therefore the need to have a more effective way to quickly download all content from an iCloud backup.
How To Set Up Icloud Backup On Mac
Lucky for you, we have that solution in the form of iMyFone D-Port data exporter which is an iCloud backup viewer and downloader that will allow you to gain access to any iCloud backup file and download up to 20 different types of data. The following are some of its features.
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Key Features:
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It can extract nearly all types of data including messages, contacts, notes, videos, voice memos and even third-party app data such as WhatsApp/Kik/WeChat/Viber/Line messages.
It is ideal for you to extract only the data you need instead of restoring the whole backup with iTunes/iCloud.
It can also be used to view and extract data from an iTunes backup or an iOS device.
It comes with a preview function that allows users to selectively download data and it is very easy to use.