iCloud was launched in 2011 by Apple as a cloud storage service and computing service. The service is used by millions worldwide and offers many benefits. iCloud is a storage service that allows users to securely store important files, such as documents, photos and music, remotely from any of Apple’s server farms. This is also where your personal app data is stored. These files can be accessed from any Apple device if you log in with the same Apple ID.
Depending on the plan you have with iCloud, there might be no remote storage. There are several steps you can take in order to recover space.
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Although the Swiss-based company is more costly than others, the one-off payment will ensure that there are no renewal fees. This can make it very expensive. The cost of $350 per year is lower than the competition. $3 per month.
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Although the Swiss-based company is more costly than others, the one-off payment will ensure that there are no renewal fees. This can be extremely expensive. $3/month is lower than $350 for 10 year.
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Where can I find iCloud?
Apple’s iCloud service can be used on a variety of devices including Mac, iPhone and iPad as well as Apple TV and Apple Watch. iCloud Storage can be used on Windows devices via Apple’s file hosting service. You can also access iCloud.com from Safari or other browsers.
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iCloud storage components
Apple has increased the number of files that can be stored on iCloud over the years. These options can vary depending on the device. Apple iPhone and iPad users can use iCloud to automatically backup and restore data, but Mac users are not allowed. This is a big difference, but it makes sense, considering that some Macs have upwards of 8TB storage.
An iCloud backup can be used to quickly restore an iPhone or iPad or create a new device with the same credentials, files and installed apps. An iCloud backup includes device settings, app organization, messages (iMessages and text), photos and videos. It includes all purchases across all Apple devices including music, movies, TV shows, apps and ringtones.
You can also backup your photo library, iCloud keychain and iCloud mail on any device, including Mac. iCloud Drive allows you to manually move files and folders you can access anywhere. iCloud Drive content can be shared with family members, friends, and colleagues. Although files stored on iCloud drive can hold up to 50GB, your storage space can quickly exhaust.
Finally, iCloud stores most personal data. This includes native apps like News, Fitness+ and Notes as well as third-party apps. This personal data can be large. You might see large files containing video, drawing, and photo information.
Check out the current iCloud storage availability for Mac and mobile. (Image credit: Future)
Storage Check
Check how much iCloud storage your iPhone, iPad and Mac are using. Mobile devices: Click on the “Settings” app on your Home screen. Next, choose your name. Tap ‘iCloud’ from there. You will see your storage usage at the top.
Go to ‘System Preferences’ and select ‘Apple ID’. This will allow you to find iCloud storage information for your Mac. Next, choose ‘iCloud’ from the menu to the left. On the right-hand side, you will see your current iCloud storage.
There are many options available
Everybody with an Apple ID gets 5GB of iCloud storage free of charge, regardless of how many devices they have. Even for casual users, this is a small amount of storage. Additional storage can be purchased for a monthly, or yearly, fee.
iCloud+ has taken over the iCloud storage options since 2021. You can get more storage as well as other perks with an iCloud+ membership such as Hide My Mail and Custom Email Domain. There are many options available:
iCloud+ 50GB storage
– iCloud+ 200GB storage
– iCloud+ 2TB storage
Prices can vary depending on where you live. All membership levels now allow storage space sharing with Apple Family members. You can save even more money by subscribing Apple One. You have the option of iCloud storage along with other Apple services like Music, News and Arcade.
Removing iCloud Storage
There are many ways to delete iCloud storage. Some methods are easier than others. Before you consider any solution, make sure the files are not needed. If they are, make sure you back them up before you remove them.
1. Modify your storage plan
The best way to avoid running out of iCloud storage is to buy a new plan. Apple will notify you before your storage is exhausted. Automatic backups will cease until there is more space.
Go to the ‘Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad and tap your name. Next, choose ‘Manage Storage’ and then ‘Change Storage Plan. Follow these additional instructions.
The steps for Mac are identical. Go to ‘System Preferences’ and click on the Apple ID icon. Next, click on ‘Manage’ in the bottom right and follow the additional instructions.
The change takes place immediately on the device that was changed when you select a new iCloud+ Plan. It might take longer on other devices, such as those belonging to Apple Family members, but it will happen.
It is a smart idea to delete iCloud backups from devices that you don’t use anymore. (Image credit: Future)
2. Remove old backups
If you have more than one Apple mobile device, there is another way to regain iCloud storage. You can delete your old backups. These backup files are one-time backups of devices that you don’t use or no longer own.
Open the ‘Settings” app on your iPhone/iPad to view your iCloud backups. Next, choose your account at top. Next, click on ‘Manage Storage’ and then ‘Backups. On the next screen you will see a list with all your backups, beginning with the one that is currently being used. The backup size is included for each device. Clicking on a backup will show you the date and time it was last run. Every evening, automatic backups are performed whenever a device has power and is connected to Wi-Fi. The last backup date is affected when this happens.
It’s possible to delete a backup of any device that you see. To delete the file from iCloud, click on it and then choose ‘Delete’. It may take several minutes to delete the file depending on how large it is.
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3. Reduce the size of your iCloud backup
You can also modify what is backed up on iCloud to keep things moving forward. This will allow you to reduce the size and complexity of your iCloud backup. Go to Settings on iPhone or iPad. Next, choose Profile at the top of your screen. Select ‘iCloud’ and then ‘Manage Storage’. Next, select ‘Backups’ and then choose the device to be changed. Last, turn off any app that you don’t want to backup.
App content is stored in iCloud so that it can be synced across multiple devices. This happens with compatible apps for Mac and mobile. You are asked whether you want to delete all personal content when you remove an app from a device. If you do not, the files will remain on iCloud regardless of whether or not the app used them was removed. Depending on what type of file is being stored on iCloud this content may take up a lot.
You should make sure to check iCloud frequently to delete any app content that you don’t need. It’s just taking up space.
This information can be found on iPhone and iPad by tapping on the “Settings” app. Next, choose your account. Next, choose ‘iCloud’ and then ‘Manage Storage’. This page will display a list (large-to-small) of apps that are taking up space. Click on any apps that you don’t need and then click ‘Delete Documents and Data’. Once you confirm your selection, the files will be deleted from iCloud.
Apps can be removed from iCloud storage on Mac and mobile. (Image credit: Future)
This information is also available on Mac. Open ‘System Preferences’ and then choose ‘Apple ID. Click the Manage button in the top right. The left side of this page lists apps that have data stored on iCloud. Select the files you want to delete and then click ‘Delete All Files …’.
App content can be deleted to free up iCloud storage. It can be time-consuming because each app content must be deleted individually. To regain maximum storage space, delete large app content files.
You can also delete any apps that you don’t wish to back up.
4. Photos and other files can be deleted
Photos and videos occupy a lot of storage space in iCloud, and elsewhere. If you use iCloud Photos, it is important to delete any media files that are not necessary. Video takes up more space than audio, so this is particularly important.
A word of caution: Photos app deleted content isn’t really deleted for 30 days. It’s instead placed in the Recently Deleted folder of the Photos app. The content on your device will be permanently deleted if you delete it.
You can choose to delete media files from your Photos app on Mac or mobile device. iCloud allows you to make changes on one device and have them reflected on the other.
You can modify the length of Messages stored on iCloud. (Image credit: Future)
Messages
When they contain media files, text messages (including iMessages) can take up a lot of space. To save space, you can delete individual messages or modify your overall Messages settings.
Right-click the file in the conversation on macOS and choose Delete. iOS/iPadOS: Press and hold on a message to delete, then choose More from the menu. Tap the trash icon to remove the messages.
You can opt to do nothing and go to the Settings app on your smartphone. Next, choose Messages. Scroll down to decide how long messages will be kept. There are three options: 30 days, 1 year, and forever.
Email attachments
You should also remove unnecessary attachments from emails that you use with iCloud. Start with the sent mail folder, as these files may already be on your device. Open the Mail app on Mac and select the Send Mail folder. Next, select View > Sort by > Attachments from your menu bar. Delete attachments from messages. If you want to delete attachments from received mail, repeat these steps. In such cases, you will need to choose between the Inbox, Trash or Achieved folders.
You can also search for and delete attachments from your mobile devices using the Mail app. Next, select the Sent mail folder and then click on the Search box. Next, select Messages with Attachments to narrow down your email list. Then, delete any attachments that you don’t want to keep.
5. Delete files from iCloud Drive
Unneeded files can be deleted from the iCloud Drive to regain storage. Mobile users can access the Files app by clicking on Files, then select Delete. You must be aware that files deleted immediately after you click Delete.
You can delete files from the iCloud Drive using macOS by selecting Finder from Dock and then choosing Go > iCloud Drive in the menu bar. You can delete the folders and files you don’t need.
