While you can backup iPhone using both iTunes and iCloud, there is a crucial difference between iCloud and iTunes Backup of iPhone that you need to understand.
A major difference between the two is that iCloud backups are saved to Apple’s iCloud servers, while iTunes backups can be saved locally to the hard drive on your Windows computer or MacBook.
What is Included in iCloud Backup?
According to Apple, a typical iCloud backup consists of the most essential data on your iPhone as deemed necessary by Apple.
In general, a typical iCloud Backup includes iMessages, Text Messages, Voicemail, Device Settings, App Data, Purchase history and the Photos stored on your device.
What is Not Included in iCloud Backup?
An iCloud Backup of iPhone does not include Apps, Music, Books, Movies and other purchases on your device.
Also, iCloud Photos and Photos downloaded from WhatsApp and other Apps are not included in an iCloud Backup.
The primary reason behind omitting these items is to make iCloud Backups fast and efficient and also because these items are already available on iCloud.
This means that you will have to re-download all your App Store purchases, in case you end up Restoring iPhone from an iCloud Backup.
How to Setup iCloud Backup on iPhone?
All that is required to setup your device to automatically backup to iCloud is to enable the iCloud Backup option on your device using steps as provided in this guide: How Backup iPhone to iCloud.
Once iCloud Backups are enabled on iPhone, it will start automatically backing up its data to iCloud, whenever it is connected to Wi-Fi network and is plugged-in for charging.
What is Included in iTunes Backup of iPhone?
When you download an iTunes Backup of iPhone to computer, the downloaded file will have almost all the data as available on your device, including all your Apps, Music, Books, Photos, Videos and the list of all your Contacts.
For this reason, it is preferable to download a complete backup of iPhone to Mac or PC, before performing a Factory Reset on your device.
For more information, you can refer to these guides: How to Backup iPhone to Mac and How to Backup iPhone to Windows PC.
iTunes Backup of iPhone can be Encrypted
iTunes provides the option to download regular, password protected and encrypt backups of your device to computer.
Encrypted iTunes Backup of iPhone includes additional data that is not included in a regular backup like all your passwords, Wi-Fi Network Settings, Health Data and Website History.
When you download an encrypted Backup of iPhone to computer, you will be required to setup a password and won’t be able to restore your device using the encrypted back, without entering the password.
Get Used to Both iCloud and iTunes Backups
While iCloud Backups are automatic and easy to setup, it is always a good idea to get used to downloading a complete backup of iPhone using iTunes on your computer.
Ideally, you should get into the habit of making an iTunes backup at-least once every alternate month to ensure the security of your data.