For the first time when you sign in to the IDrive app, the 'Backup' screen appears. You can backup all your device contacts, calendar events, photos, and videos, to your IDrive account by tapping on 'Backup Now'.
You can also customize your selection of items considered for backup and then tap 'Backup Now'.
The Background Upload option lets you continue your uploads in the background and perform other activities without having to continuously monitor the upload process. Background upload in iOS will stop within a few minutes after the application is closed; however, the application resumes the upload process whenever the IDrive app detects a change in device location. This is designed to let your camera uploads work more efficiently.
You can enable the 'Background Upload' option from the 'Settings' tab. Select 'Allow'/'Always Allow' option in the confirmation popup, while enabling background upload to continue uploads in the background.
Note: The app will ask for permission to access your photos as Apple privacy settings for photos and location services are different. In both cases the app will not be able to upload photos and videos to your account, unless permitted.
When the Background Upload option is enabled, you'll see the location services arrow appear at the top of the screen.
This icon indicates that an app (such as a mapping app) is using your iPhone's GPS system to keep track of your precise location. It also consumes a lot of battery in the process. However, IDrive's background upload feature uses a low-power version of Apple's location services.
With 'Auto Camera Upload', you can automatically backup all the photos and videos from your device Recently Added to IDrive account. Additionally, all live captures are also automatically backed up.
On your first sign in, the 'Auto Camera Upload' option is set to OFF.
To enable it,
On the IDrive app home screen, tap 'Backup' under Cloud Backup.
Tap 'Auto Camera Upload' to enable.
All the photos and videos automatically backed up are stored in 'My iPhone Backup'/'iPad Backup' > 'Photos'/'Videos' > 'Recently Added' folder in your IDrive account.
I started backing up my photos a few hours back. Why isn't it backed up yet?
If you have a large number of files to be backed up, make sure you keep the application open till the backup is complete. If you close the app, upload may pause.
To complete backup without interruption, we recommend you to connect your device to a charger and leave the application open.
Photos, videos, contacts and calendar events are uploaded incrementally. This means that after initial backup, following backups will upload only newly added or modified files.
IDrive links all of your devices such that whenever a file is updated, it is instantly available on all linked devices. For syncing files, IDrive creates a unique folder on every linked computer and provides separate cloud storage. You can sync files using the Sync folder on linked desktops, or directly via IDrive.com and mobile apps.
Can I access my mobile backup data through the web?
Yes, you can access your mobile backup data through the web by signing in to your IDrive account via any web browser. Select the folder with your phone name, and access Calendar, Contacts, Photos and Videos backed up to your IDrive account.
To view shared files and folders, open the link shared with you using the IDrive app. The shared files and folders appear in the 'Shared With Me' tab of the app.
Note: You can also view the shared files/folders using a web browser.
The Timeline displays all the photos and videos backed up from multiple mobile devices, sorted by date and location. Using Timeline, you can share, download, and delete your photos/videos, backed up with IDrive.
To view a list of your photos and videos, on the IDrive app home screen tap 'Timeline'.
Can I use my Apple ID to sign in to IDrive desktop application and web interface?
The IDrive mobile application allows you to create an account using your Apple ID. However, in case you want to use the same account for signing in to the IDrive desktop application or web interface, you need to set the password using the 'Forgot password' option. This is because IDrive only stores your Apple ID and not the password. Hence by using the 'Forgot password' option you can create a password for your IDrive account (if you already don't have one).
IDrive provides a centralized location for all your shared files. You can view the files that you've shared with others and the files shared with you by other IDrive users. The shared files pinned to your IDrive account does not impact your account's quota.
To view the shared files,
On the IDrive app home screen, tap > 'Manage Sharing'.
Tap 'Shared by me' or 'Shared with me' to view the shared files.
When you sign in to the IDrive app, you will have the option to backup all your device contacts, calendar events, photos, videos, music, SMS, call logs, and other files to your IDrive account by tapping on 'Backup Now'.
You can customize the selection based on your requirement and tap 'Backup Now'.
For subsequent backups, tap 'Backup' under Cloud Backup from the home screen and choose the contents for backup.
How do I backup other file types, such as my SD card, from my Android device?
To backup other file types,
On the IDrive app home screen, tap 'Backup' under Cloud Backup.
Tap 'Add-ons' -> 'Other Files' and tap 'Backup Now', to backup all the files from your SD card.
To backup specific files,
Tap the 'Other Files' folder and then navigate to the files.
Select the files using .
Tap 'Done' and then tap 'Backup Now'.
All backed up files will be available in 'My Device Backup' folder. When you select the 'Other Files' folder, you should see all of your backed up data here with the exception of Photos, Videos, and Music. These will be located in their respective folders.
With 'Auto Camera Upload', you can automatically backup all the photos and videos from your device gallery to your IDrive account. Additionally, all live captures are also automatically backed up. On your first sign in, the 'Auto Camera Upload' option is set to 'OFF'.
To enable it,
On the IDrive app home screen, tap 'Backup' under Cloud Backup.
Drag the 'Auto Camera Upload' slider to switch it ON.
All the photos and videos automatically backed up are stored in 'My Device Backup' > 'Photos'/'Videos' folder in your IDrive account.
Photos, videos, and music files are uploaded incrementally. That means that after the initial backup is done, following backups will upload only newly added or modified files. Contacts, Calendar, SMS, Call logs, and Documents (Other files) are not incremental and will re-upload each time a backup runs and creates versions. So, for example, Call Logs can be easily restored from a backup that took place on a certain date.
IDrive links all of your devices such that whenever a file is updated, it is instantly available on all linked devices. For syncing files, IDrive creates a unique folder on every linked computer and provides separate cloud storage. You can sync files using the Sync folder on linked desktops, or directly via IDrive.com and mobile apps.
Can I access my mobile backup data through the web?
Yes, you can access your mobile backup data through the web by signing in to your IDrive account via any web browser. Select the folder with your phone name. Now, you can access Calendar, Contacts, Photos, Videos, SMS and Call Logs backed up to your IDrive account.
To view shared files and folders, open the link shared with you using the IDrive app. The shared files and folders appear in the 'Shared With Me' tab of the app.
Note: You can also view the shared files/folders using a web browser.
Timeline displays all the photos and videos backed up from multiple mobile devices, sorted by date and location. However, to categorize your photos according to location, ensure Location is turned on in the device settings and also in the camera application while taking pictures and recording videos.
Using Timeline, you can share, download, and delete your photos/videos, backed up with IDrive.
To view a list of your photos and videos, on the IDrive app home screen, tap 'Timeline'.
Can I create and edit text documents through the IDrive app?
Yes, you can create text documents (.txt files) and even edit existing text files using the IDrive app.
To create text documents,
On the IDrive Online app home screen, tap 'Access and Restore' > 'My Device Backup'. Or tap > 'Sync'.
Tap .
Tap 'Create Text File'.
Add your text in the created file, and tap .
Enter a name for the document and tap 'Save'.
To edit text documents,
In 'My Device Backup' or ‘Sync’ tab, navigate to the desired text document and tap it open.
Tap and select the latest version.
Tap 'IDrive Text Editor'.
Make the edits needed and tap .
The changes will be saved as a new version. Tap a file to view the list of all the versions. You can share or delete the text document by tapping or respectively.
Can I use my Apple ID to sign in to IDrive desktop application and web interface?
The IDrive mobile application allows you to create an account using your Apple ID. However, in case you want to use the same account for signing in to the IDrive desktop application or web interface, you need to set the password using the 'Forgot password' option. This is because IDrive only stores your Apple ID and not the password. Hence by using the 'Forgot password' option you can create a password for your IDrive account (if you already don't have one).
IDrive provides a centralized location for all your shared files. You can view the files that you've shared with others and the files shared with you by other IDrive users. The shared files pinned to your IDrive account does not impact your account's quota.
To view the shared files,
On the IDrive Online app home screen, tap > 'Manage Sharing'.
Tap 'SHARED BY ME' or 'SHARED WITH ME' to view the shared files.
Why does the IDrive mobile app need to access my personal information?
The IDrive mobile app requires access to your information to backup and restore your data efficiently. Access to certain information also allows IDrive to provide simplified features for your improved use. To access this information a list of permissions has been defined. These permissions are described as follows:
Permission
Purpose
Read and Edit your text messages
To backup and restore text messages.
Network access, network and wi-fi connections
To reach wi-fi and cellular network for backing up your data.
Read, add or modify Calendar Events
To backup and restore calendar events.
Read/Write Call Logs and Contacts
To backup, access, and restore your call history and contacts.
Read Phone
To get the device ID which helps distinguish your device.
Accounts
To access the Play Store for making In-App purchases.
Can I use the IDrive mobile app without giving access to the required permissions?
No, Play Store requires that you accept all the requested permissions for an app during the installation or when updating. Android doesn't allow individual or optional permissions.
Therefore, all permissions must be accepted for successful download and use of the app.
Note: For Android 6.0 and above, users will not be asked to accept any permission during installation of an app. However, while performing backup, restore, or any other action user will need to accept the required permissions.