Backing Up an iPad Air 2 to a local Hard Drive

[robertdaleweir]

My wife uses an iPad Air 2 with a limited amount of space available. It is less than a year old and she does NOT want to use the iCloud backup restore process. She is adamant about this last point. I basically use Linux for all of my computing needs and I was wondering if I could (she is not tech savvy) back up her unit once in awhile for security and be able to restore it if it were to go west on her at some point. I have used Time Machine on iMacs and I am wondering if something could be done to allow me to backup to an External Hard Drive (I can create most File System Formatted Drives ) for this purpose on her iPad? Either a Wireless or Lightening connection would be fine. Any help would be appreciated...
Robert

 

[ferrarr]

Have you connected the device to your Linux PC? You may be able to copy some stuff manually, but iCloud will definitely be a better solution for her.

 

[robertdaleweir]

Have you connected the device to your Linux PC? You may be able to copy some stuff manually, but iCloud will definitely be a better solution for her.

Yes I have been able to backup photos and so on but she is very pedantic about her exact settings. As such she is constantly closing down many 'privileges' that programs require and really does not want to lose those settings. Even iCloud will re-establish those settings and p-ss her off (I suspect on any restore). I need a 'bit-4-bit' restorable image or possibly a process that allows such a process. I might be able to use 'dd' if I could somehow mount her Internal Drive on my Linux unit, somehow. Thanks for the post...
Robert

 

[ferrarr]

Unfortunately, Apple doesn't make anything to support that. Have you done a web search? I know businesses have the ability to push out to their devices, but I wouldn't know how or where to find that solution.

 

[MacInWin]

I need a 'bit-4-bit' restorable image or possibly a process that allows such a process.

Does not exist. What she is asking is simply not possible without the cloud.

I would suggest that she go through every setting she has made on her iPad and write it down so that when/if the settings are lost, she can reenter them.

Or you could silently backup to the cloud without her knowing and be a sort-of hero when/if she needs it. Risky, that, as the wrath of SWMBO is awesome to behold.

 

[ferrarr]

I would suggest that she go through every setting she has made on her iPad and write it down so that when/if the settings are lost, she can reenter them.

Could also take screen shots of each screen?

 

[robertdaleweir]

Does not exist. What she is asking is simply not possible without the cloud.

I would suggest that she go through every setting she has made on her iPad and write it down so that when/if the settings are lost, she can reenter them.

Or you could silently backup to the cloud without her knowing and be a sort-of hero when/if she needs it. Risky, that, as the wrath of SWMBO is awesome to behold.

Got it ; - ))

 

[MacInWin]

One other thought. You said you use linux. Do you have any Windows machines at all? You could use iTunes on Windows to back up to that machine (not the cloud). In fact, if she is that insistent on it, it might be worth buying a used Windows box for a few bucks and use it ONLY for that backup. In the interest of domestic tranquility, of course.

 

[robertdaleweir]

Could also take screen shots of each screen?

Thanks, I will give that some thought.

 

[robertdaleweir]

One other thought. You said you use linux. Do you have any Windows machines at all? You could use iTunes on Windows to back up to that machine (not the cloud). In fact, if she is that insistent on it, it might be worth buying a used Windows box for a few bucks and use it ONLY for that backup. In the interest of domestic tranquility, of course.

Yes, I like that idea. Thanks, I have always appreciated the tension between Apple and Microshaft ; - )))

 

[Lifeisabeach]

What about running Windows 10 in a VM and backing up to iTunes in that? Does anyone know if that will work? I haven't tried it myself but it will depend on whether or not plugging the iPad into a USB port will be "passed through" to the VM. It should be a tweak in the VM settings. The nice thing about Windows 10 is that, at least at this time, it can be used indefinitely without a license key.

 

[Slydude]

If you're going to run iTunes inside a Windows/Mac VM consider using iMazing instead. The demo is free and the purchase price is well worth it. It gives you a lot of control over where you store the backup and what you backup. You should be able to restore the settings from a backup if needed.

×

 

[chscag]

The nice thing about Windows 10 is that, at least at this time, it can be used indefinitely without a license key.

Where can we find more information about that? Apparently, that's something that is not advertised by Microsoft (which doesn't surprise me).

 

[MacInWin]

What about running Windows 10 in a VM and backing up to iTunes in that? Does anyone know if that will work?

That works, at least in Parallels, perfectly fine. But the OP is running Linux, so it would depend on the Windows emulator in Linux for how it handles that sort of connection.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Where can we find more information about that? Apparently, that's something that is not advertised by Microsoft (which doesn't surprise me).

They certainly aren't advertising it, but I can vouch for it. I have it installed in a VM on my MBA and iMac as well as Boot Camp on both and none of them are activated. I use them very rarely, though have been in them today dabbling in something. They work fine with no nags (although I do use some 3rd party tweaking software to tame down some of the more irritating aspects of Windows, so I think I'm avoiding some of that), but I'm not using any activation hacks or the like. I can't do any customization like wallpaper and a few other things, but for my limited needs it's ok. Here's an older article talking about it.
You Don’t Need a Product Key to Install and Use Windows 10

 

[robertdaleweir]

What about running Windows 10 in a VM and backing up to iTunes in that? Does anyone know if that will work? I haven't tried it myself but it will depend on whether or not plugging the iPad into a USB port will be "passed through" to the VM. It should be a tweak in the VM settings. The nice thing about Windows 10 is that, at least at this time, it can be used indefinitely without a license key.

Thanks Lifeisabeach
I do have a Win 7 VM running on one of my machines. I will try that. I have been able to run many programs on it and it sees the USB ports etc. It may take me awhile to get it done but I will try. : - )))
Robert

 

[robertdaleweir]

If you're going to run iTunes inside a Windows/Mac VM consider using iMazing instead. The demo is free and the purchase price is well worth it. It gives you a lot of control over where you store the backup and what you backup. You should be able to restore the settings from a backup if needed.

×

Thanks Slydude
I have never heard of that program. I will look it up. Cheers...
Robert

 

[robertdaleweir]

Unfortunately, Apple doesn't make anything to support that. Have you done a web search? I know businesses have the ability to push out to their devices, but I wouldn't know how or where to find that solution.

Thanks ferrarr
Yes, I have heard about some doing it but I am not aware of the commands/programs and breaches of corporate rules would be required. Cheers...
Robert

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Thanks Lifeisabeach
I do have a Win 7 VM running on one of my machines. I will try that. I have been able to run many programs on it and it sees the USB ports etc. It may take me awhile to get it done but I will try. : - )))
Robert

Oh well if you already have Win7 running in a VM, just stick with that then. No need to make a Win10 VM just for this.

 

[robertdaleweir]

I resurrected an old Win 7 and it did 'backup' the iPad.

One other thought. You said you use linux. Do you have any Windows machines at all? You could use iTunes on Windows to back up to that machine (not the cloud). In fact, if she is that insistent on it, it might be worth buying a used Windows box for a few bucks and use it ONLY for that backup. In the interest of domestic tranquility, of course.

Hi MacInWin
I managed, as stated in the subject line, that I was able to do a 'backup' using iTunes. What I do not know is, where did it puts its output? I suspect that it does a 'FULL BACKUP' and probably uses compression. When it saves it locally, do you know where it puts its output and/or what format is used. I have not tried to restore the iPad, as I am unsure of exactly what I have here.
Any insight would be welcomed...
Robert