There is no alternative really as only iCloud can back-up your settings, saved networks, and apps data.

Other apps like Nextcloud, can only backup documents (those not in apps) and pictures, because there's an API for this.

iTunes backup is an option, but it's not automatic and convenient.

Is that true? Only iCloud can back up an iPhone? They dont provide any way to even extract an encrypted archive so you can keep it safe for yourself?

I get more and more amazed at Apples lock in tactics. This is why I own nothing Apple, and have complete control over everything in my digital world.

iTunes backup is perfectly reasonable alternative to iCloud that retains e2ee, I don't know why they were dissing it. It can back up everything that iCloud can and it's automatic, you just plug your phone in, no lock in tactics.

No, you can use iTunes to make a local backup too. It was a thing long before iCloud.

Fair enough, however iTunes is also Apple software no?

So your choice is use Apple software to make your backups, or....?

Interacting with any device running iOS requires Apple software (or reverse engineered hacks) for many features.

However, in this case, the point is that you can use Apple software to make a local backup (and you can enforce the "local" part by doing so offline), and then use whatever you want to encrypt and stash away the resulting files.

well, yeah, iphones could be bit more open, and I wish they were. But there's no real way for UK to force Apple into adding backdoors into that.

It encrypts your entire phone backups as well