Forma
Browse the guide

Guide › Your data

iCloud backup and restore

Your own private iCloud, and what to do if it is off.

Forma keeps a copy of your data in your own private iCloud, and keeps the previous copy too. A lost phone or a mistake does not cost you your history. Everything works with no connection, and the backup catches up when you are back online.

When to use it

  • You want to check that your data is being backed up, or run a backup now.
  • You have a new iPhone and want to bring your history with you.
  • You deleted something by mistake and want to go back to an earlier copy.
  • Forma shows a small dot on the gear at the top of Today. It appears when backups have failed or been missing for three days.

Step by step

To check or run a backup

  1. Open Forma, then open Settings.
  2. Tap Data & backup.
  3. Read the iCloud status line. It says whether you are backed up and when, or what is in the way.
  4. If you want a backup now, tap Back up now.

The status line can say:

  • On · last backed up [time] — the last backup succeeded. Everything on this phone as of that moment is safe in iCloud.
  • Backing up… — Forma is copying a snapshot to iCloud right now.
  • On · waiting for a connection — everything is saved on this phone. The backup runs the next time you are online.
  • On · not backed up yet — your first backup runs on its own the next time you open Forma, or tap Back up now.
  • iCloud is full — this appears as a message under the status line: there is no room left in your iCloud storage for the backup. Your data is safe on the phone. Free up space in Settings > Apple Account > iCloud and Forma will carry on.

To restore on a new phone

  1. Install Forma and sign in to the same Apple Account.
  2. On the first screen, tap Restoring a backup?.
  3. Tap Restore from iCloud. Forma downloads the latest copy; the screen says how many records were downloaded when it is done.
  4. Force-quit and reopen Forma. The restored data is now in place.

If Forma is already installed (no first screen), open Settings, tap Data & backup, then Restore from backup.

To restore an earlier copy

  1. Open Settings, then Data & backup, then Restore from backup.
  2. Choose either Latest backup or Earlier copy. Each row shows its date and how many entries it holds.
  3. Tap Download and apply at next launch.
  4. Force-quit and reopen Forma.

Good to know

  • Your data lives on this phone. The copy in iCloud is yours, in your own iCloud account. Forma works with no connection; the backup catches up when you are back online.
  • Restoring replaces what is on the iPhone with what is in that backup. Anything logged since then is replaced. Your current data is kept aside, not deleted.
  • The earlier copy is the backup from before the latest one. It is kept so that one bad backup cannot leave you without copies.
  • Forma never overwrites a fuller backup by itself. If a backup is refused, the app asks you which side is right.
  • Offline is a normal state. If the backup cannot reach iCloud, Forma says so and tries again later.

If a backup message says iCloud is off, see the next steps:

  • Sign in to iCloud to back up: open the iOS Settings app, sign in with your Apple Account, then return to Forma and tap Back up now.
  • iCloud is turned off for Forma: iCloud is restricted on this phone, often by Screen Time or a device-management profile. Ask whoever manages the phone.
  • iCloud is full: free up space in Settings > Apple Account > iCloud. Your data stays safe on the phone.
  • "Can't check iCloud right now" or "iCloud is busy": temporary. Forma tries again the next time you open it.

Something unclear or missing? Write to and say which page.