How to Backup MacBook to iCloud? – [Guide 2026]

Know step-by-step process to backup MacBook to iCloud, keeping all the important files and settings protected in the cloud.

About MacBook

A MacBook is premium stylish laptop introduced by Apple Inc, including MacBook Air & Pro. It supports Mac OS and is highly popular among professionals and students due to its reliability and performance. The intuitive layout, extended battery life, Retina Displays, along with other various interesting features & functionalities make MacBook a top choice for those who are searching for a unique experience.

However, if MacBook contains some of your important files, then they should be backed up on a regular basis such as essential documents, videos, photos, music, emails, media, contacts, and more. So, how to backup MacBook to iCloud! Let’s discuss the ways to resolve the issue in the further segment.

What is iCloud?

iCloud is Apple’s cloud storage and synchronization platform that automatically backup data from Apple’s devices. The data that iCloud backup includes device settings, photos, app data, and videos. Messages and iMessage, HomeKit configuration, health data, voicemail, purchase history, call history, Safari data, and more.

It is essential to backup files on MacBook to avoid data loss. So, in the next section we have discussed some ways to backup MacBook to iCloud –

How to Backup MacBook to iCloud in 2 Powerful Ways?

Method 1. Backup MacBook Air to iCloud using iCloud Settings

Follow the below steps to backup MacBook to iCloud –

Step 1. Go to System Preferences from Apple menu.

Step 2. Tap Apple ID and then select iCloud.

Step 3. Sign-in to iCloud account if you are not signed in.

Step 4. Select the checkboxes appearing next to the items you need to backup such as emails, reminders, contacts, photos, Safari data, and more.

Step 5. If required, go to Options displaying next to iCloud Drive line to choose specific applications that can preserve the data in iCloud.

Step 6. To get the access of iCloud from Finder, just drag and drop files individually into iCloud folder. Anything you add in iCloud folder will be saved in iCloud Storage automatically.

Method 2. Backup MacBook Air to iCloud using iCloud Web

This is another way out to backup MacBook to iCloud. Simply navigate to icloud.com and follow the below steps –

Step 1. Login by specifying iCloud user ID and password.

Step 2. After logged in successfully, go to Drive and click the upload icon displaying at the top.

Step 3. Select the items you need to add to iCloud. Then all the files will be moved to iCloud successfully.

Can Time Machine Backup MacBook to iCloud?

 No, Time Machine cannot backup complete MacBook to iCloud by default and the reason lies in how these tools are designed.

Time Machine Backup is only suitable with physical drives such as external hard drive or SSD, network drives or NAS devices.

iCloud, on the other hand is primarily a synchronizing service which is definitely not a true backup solution. It keeps the files in sync across devices but cannot create system snapshots and full-disk images.

In case you need cloud-based backup for entire MacBook, then it is essential to go for a third party solution. If there are Mail apps and you are worried about the files, then try MacMister Email Backup Software for Mac. It provides over 30 email sources and help users saving the emails of a required email server into 15+ saving types with 100% accuracy. The friendly GUI and safe environment will make one of the reliable apps to backup MacBook emails to iCloud.

How to Ensure the Backup of MacBook?

After taking backup of MacBook Air or Pro, one can verify the backup by navigating to iCloud.com. Besides, it is recommended to create a new folder in iCloud Drive or iCloud Photos to preserve files from MacBook while backing up. Then, check the folder to verify if the data is backed up.

How to Restore MacBook from iCloud?

To restore MacBook from iCloud.com, go to icloud.com and follow the below steps –

Restore MacBook Photos & Videos from iCloud Photos

Restoring photos & videos from iCloud Photos allow restoring Mac files –

Step 1. Login to iCloud.com by specifying Apple ID & password on MacBook.

Step 2. Go to Photos.

Step 3. Tap Photos from the left side, choose necessary photos or videos and hit Download icon.

Step 4. Select Unmodified Originals, or Most Compatible, and then press Download for restore.

Restore MacBook from iCloud Drive

To restore MacBook from iCloud Drive, follow the below steps –

Step 1. Sign-in to iCloud.com, select Drive Card and open iCloud Drive.

Step 2. Choose files and folders and click Download icon appearing from the top menu.

Step 3. Wait until all the selected files from iCloud Drive downloaded to MacBook successfully.

Epilogue

How to backup MacBook to iCloud with complete safety? Make use of the above mentioned powerful ways to backup MacBook Air & Pro into iCloud showing the steps of how to restore MacBook from iCloud. Simply opt for a suitable method and backup of your MacBook effectively.