If you have recently picked up an iPad to pair with your iPhone or vice-versa, to make the most out of your devices, you must keep them in sync. For Apple products, this involves using iCloud, which allows you to do this wirelessly.
Introduced in 2011, iCloud allows you to sync data — contacts, browser history, notes, calendar entries and reminders, etc. — to Apple’s servers which can then be accessed on any of your other devices provided they have been set up correctly.
The service also plays a significant role in using Continuity and Handoff, which are notable features of Apple’s ecosystem.
Follow the steps listed in this guide to keep your iPhone and iPad synced with the help of iCloud.
This guide has been written with help from a device running iOS 14.2. Except for some UI differences, these steps can be replicated on devices running iOS 11 or later.
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Step 1: Set up iCloud
Go to your iPhone or iPad’s settings and follow the steps mentioned below.
- Tap on your name card to access Apple ID Settings.
- Select iCloud.
- Now toggle on activities which you want to keep in sync via iCloud.
Step 2: Activate Keychain
Go to your iPhone or iPad’s settings and follow the steps mentioned below.
- Tap on your name card to access Apple ID Settings.
- Select iCloud.
- Scroll to Keychain and activate iCloud Keychain.
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Step 3: Login into Accounts
While the steps mentioned at the beginning of this article keep application data in sync; to ensure your various email accounts run in parallel on both devices, follow the steps listed below.
- Open Settings and scroll down to Mail subsection.
- Tap on Accounts and then Add Accounts.
This setting also helps sync contacts, calendar entries, emails and notes between your devices.
On iOS 11 or 12 this section can be found under Passwords & Accounts subsection in Settings.
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Step 4: Sync iTunes and App Store purchases
Sync App Downloads and App Updates
Go to your iPhone or iPad’s settings and follow the steps mentioned below.
- Scroll down to App Store.
- Toggle on Automatic Downloads for Apps and App Updates.
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Sync Music Purchases
Go to your iPhone or iPad’s settings and follow the steps mentioned below.
- Scroll down to Music.
- Turn on Show All Purchases.
- Toggle on Automatic Downloads under Downloads subsection.
Sync Book Purchases
Go to your iPhone or iPad’s settings and follow the steps mentioned below.
- Scroll down to Books.
- Under Automatic Downloads subsection, toggle on Purchases from Other Devices.
If you’re running iOS 11 or 12, these options can be found under iTunes and App Store subsection.
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