[BBlarat]

is it required to have an iCloud backup when using iOS? Or is it something that can be opted out of? I'm just curious.

[smackfu]

Just have more than 5 GB of data and you can't backup to iCloud without paying monthly.

[hutattedonmyarm]

Photos are not included, Apps aren't (only their data), I'm not sure about music. It's gonna be hard to exceed the 5GB this way

[smackfu]

Photos may be included.

"Here’s what iCloud backs up: Photos and videos on your iOS devices, unless you turn on iCloud Photo Library on your iOS device (iOS 8.1 or later)."

https://support.apple.com/kb/PH12519?locale=en_US

The photos hit the same 5 GB limit, so it's not like excluding or including them really changes anything. Photos are the #1 reason people hit the backup limit.

[hutattedonmyarm]

Thanks, didn't know that (I use iCloud Photo Library), but IIRC you can disable stuff from backing up, even photos

[knd775]

I currently use 18 GB with only a single iPhone. 14.6 GB of this is my iCloud Photo Library.

[dantiberian]

You can opt out, but I think it will be the default.

[hutattedonmyarm]

Not required. You can choose between iCloud backup, iTunes backup (even encrypt if you want) and no backup at all. iCloud is the most convenient though