iCloud Backup

Automatically backs up device data to iCloud. Organizations often disable this on corporate devices to prevent company data from being stored in personal iCloud accounts.

What to Know

iCloud Backup creates significant data governance and security risks on corporate devices by automatically syncing device data—including app data, messages, photos, and settings—to personal iCloud accounts outside organizational control. Corporate emails, documents, passwords, and sensitive app data backed up to personal iCloud accounts cannot be audited, retained, or deleted by the organization. When employees leave, backup data remains in their personal accounts indefinitely, creating compliance risks and potential data breaches.

Disabling iCloud Backup is one of the most universally deployed MDM restrictions because it prevents corporate data exfiltration with minimal impact on user experience—organizations typically provide alternative backup solutions like corporate-managed cloud storage or local backups through corporate tools.

Common Scenarios

Enterprise IT: Corporate IT universally disables iCloud Backup on company-owned devices to prevent corporate data from being stored in personal iCloud accounts. Employees concerned about losing device data receive guidance on alternative backup solutions like corporate file storage, email retention, or MDM-based device configuration backups. IT may enable iCloud Backup on devices using Managed Apple IDs, where backups remain under organizational control.

MSP: MSPs disable iCloud Backup by default on all client devices as a baseline security measure. This restriction is nearly universal across industries and rarely contested by clients. MSPs should ensure backup restrictions are deployed before devices enter production to prevent corporate data from being synced to personal accounts during initial setup and usage.

Education: Schools disable iCloud Backup on student devices to prevent students from backing up school-owned content to personal or parent Apple IDs. Student devices use Managed Apple IDs which can have backup enabled while keeping data under school control. Teacher devices may allow iCloud Backup if the school permits personal use of teacher-assigned devices, though many schools disable it to maintain clear data boundaries.

In Addigy

Addigy’s Restrictions payload includes an “Allow iCloud Backup” toggle that prevents devices from backing up to iCloud when disabled. This restriction requires a supervised device and applies immediately upon profile deployment. Disabling iCloud Backup does not delete existing backups in personal iCloud accounts—users must manually delete backups if the organization wants to remove previously synced data. Addigy’s device inventory shows whether devices have iCloud Backup enabled, helping admins identify non-compliant configurations.