I am technically illiterate and more.
I'm thinking of buying an iPad Air.
I presently have an iPad3.
I'm told by an Apple shop person, not really very good on detail, that I can use 'I Cloud'
to transfer my iPad3 data to the new iPad Air.
It would mean transferring my iPad3 data to my PC, then transferring this data from my PC to my new iPad Air.
So, what is meant by data? All my present Apps and all other data on my iPad3?
I presume I set up my existing 'I Cloud' account on my PC.
How do I actually do the transfer?
Also, and lastly, is there a security risk in putting 'I Cloud' on my PC?
Thanks.

iCloud is an Apple service that allows you to sync content between devices and also backup your device. If you have iCloud setup (it'll be in settings on the iPad), it will automatically backup the contents of the iPad to Apple's servers when charging and connected to WiFi. You can also plug it into your computer and right click on the device in iTunes and select backup. This will copy Apps and the other content onto your computer. If you purchase an iPad Air, you can restore the backup from iCloud (if your internet speed is good) or from the one made in iTunes (far quicker and nothing to do with iCloud).

Thanks Mystic Eddy.
You mean plug my iPad3 into my PC and right click on the desk top icon for iTunes on my PC and then select 'back up?
Thanks

Why not take your iPad 3 into the Apple store when you buy the iPad Air and let them help you with the back up to iCloud and restore to the new iPad? That way you'll have an expert show you how to do it.

Have iTunes open on the computer and when you plug the iPad in, it will appear in the left hand pane. Right click on that and select backup.

Many thanks, Mystic Eddy.
Fully understand.
Sorry to be thick-headed.

Nearest one some way away.
Not impressed by their customer services.
Always a long wait.
And they'll charge me!,

...and Mystic Eddy, I didn't fully understand that iCloud was an Apple server-based facility.
I do now.

All this techno speak can be like a deer in headlights to people not used to it, so it's good to see you're now on the right track . Hopefully you should be able to backup/setup the new iPad if you get without any problems. If you do get one and get stuck, come back here and we'll help and won't charge .

Hello Mystic Eddy,

This is taken from Apple's Support pages; and uses iCloud to solely back up and restore (without using iTunes.)

Does this help at all?

http://support.apple.com/kb/PH12521?...S&locale=en_US

Thanks, also, iGeek.
I've now successfully backed up my iPad3 on my PC and, so, in place for loading it onto my new iPad Air if and when I decide to get one.
Above will help.

No problem! It is annoying when you fork out a substantial amount of hard earned cash for the company you are purchasing from to be less than helpful!

...and finally , as my speed is good, I shall simply restore the back-up to my new iPad Air from i Cloud rather than from my PC.
Meantime, it's also now on my PC.

How good is your speed, and do you have a lot of apps?

Restoring an iTunes backup involves all the settings etc. being restored and the apps etc. being synced back on.

Restoring an iCloud backup involves all the settings etc. being restored and the apps etc. being re-downloaded.

Went like a dream.
Got a very good exchange deal this morning from 'Game' - exchanged my 2 year old iPad3 for a brand new 16GB iPad Air, £399, Cost me £187.
Got home and restored from iCloud all my Apps and data onto my new iPad.
I have 4 pages of Apps, it has meant signing in again on some.
Excellent service from 'Game', everything properly documented etc. They erased all the data from my old iPad and gave me a Report detailing the various checks they had done on it.
Many thanks all for above help etc.
The iPad Air is so light, faster, brighter display and very easy to hold etc.

Yep, it's a lovely bit of kit


The reason you need to sign in again on certain apps is because the sign in details for them kept in the backup were tied to the specific device that made the back up. It's a security measure.


Once you have registered your new iPad with Apple, I would also go to the Apple Support Profile and *unregister* the old iPad:

https://supportprofile.apple.com/MySupportProfile.do