iPhone: The Missing Manual, 12th Edition

Chapter 16. iCloud & Apple Pay

The free iCloud service stems from Apple’s brainstorm that, since it controls both ends of the connection between a Mac and the Apple website, it should be able to create some pretty clever internet-based features.

This chapter concerns what iCloud can do for you, the iPhone owner.

Note

To get a free iCloud account if you don’t already have one, sign up in Settings → iCloud.

What iCloud Giveth

So what is iCloud? It’s the suite of services available to anyone who signs up for a free Apple account. Mainly, it’s these things:

• iCloud Sync keeps your calendar, address book, reminders, notes, messages, passwords, web bookmarks, credit card numbers, and documents updated and identical on all your gadgets: Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch. Also your settings and preferences: For AirPods (wireless earbuds), News, Stocks, Home, Books, Health, Wallet, Siri, and so on. It’s a huge convenience—almost magical.

• Find My iPhone. Find My iPhone pinpoints the current location of your iPhone (or iPad, or Mac, or AirPods) on a map. It’s great for helping you find your gadgets if they’ve been stolen or lost.

  You can also make a lost device make a loud pinging sound for a couple of minutes by remote control—even if it was silenced. That’s a blessing when your phone has slipped between the couch cushions.

• Automatic backup. iCloud can back up your iPhone—automatically and wirelessly (over Wi-Fi, not over cellular connections). It’s a quick backup, since iCloud backs ...