If you're like most users, you've probably got more data stored in iCloud than you realize. Photos, contact information, notes — even your Health app information is stored in the cloud by default. Show
But it isn't always obvious how to access iCloud, or how to manage what data it stores. Luckily, it's easy to do both. How to access iCloud through the websiteAs long as you have a computer or phone that's connected to the internet, you can access iCloud. 1. Head to icloud.com and enter the email address linked to your Apple ID account. 2. Click the arrow icon, and then enter your password. 3. If you have two-factor authentication set up on your Apple ID account, a code will be sent to all your devices. Enter this code on the iCloud website to gain access. You'll be shown a list of icons and options — more icons will be available on the desktop version of the site than the smartphone version. Click any of these icons to see the data stored in your iCloud account. From there you can delete, move, or download nearly anything you've saved. The iCloud home page shows icons for the most important Apple apps. William Antonelli/InsiderHow to access iCloud on an iPhone, iPad, or MacAlternatively, you can go through the Apple ID menu. This menu is at the top of the Settings app on every device.
Once you've reached this page, tap or click the iCloud option. Open the "iCloud" page. William Antonelli/InsiderYou'll be shown how much storage space you have in iCloud, and what kind of data it's currently holding. Selecting the Manage option shows you exactly how much data each app takes, and lets you upgrade your iCloud storage plan. You'll also find an Apps Using iCloud section. Here, select which apps are allowed to save data to iCloud, and which ones have to keep their data stored only on your device. Turning off an option will erase its data from iCloud immediately.
William Antonelli Tech Reporter for Insider Reviews William Antonelli (he/she/they) is a writer, editor, and organizer based in New York City. As a founding member of the Reference team, he helped grow Tech Reference (now part of Insider Reviews) from humble beginnings into a juggernaut that attracts over 20 million visits a month. Outside of Insider, his writing has appeared in publications like Polygon, The Outline, Kotaku, and more. He's also a go-to source for tech analysis on channels like Newsy, Cheddar, and NewsNation. You can find him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher, or reach him by email at . Read more Read less
iCloud Drive is Apple's solution to document and file management across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. If you have an iCloud account, you can use iCloud Drive. You automatically get 5GBs of storage for free, but you can choose to increase your storage with a monthly subscription. Subscriptions range from free to $9.99 a month, depending on your storage needs. If you aren't sure where to start, we can walk you through the setup process and how to start using iCloud Drive! How to enable iCloud Drive manually on iPhone and iPadWhen you set up your iPhone or iPad for the first time, you should be prompted on whether or not you'd like to set up iCloud Drive. If you said yes, you don't need to do anything further and can continue to the next section. However, you can enable iCloud Drive later with just a few taps if you say no.
Remember, if you turn off iCloud Drive, nothing will save to it until you have re-enabled it. How to increase iCloud Drive storage space on iPhone or iPadBy default, iCloud Drive comes with 5GB of space for free. If you don't feel this is enough, you can subscribe to more storage. Or, if you are already paying for an iCloud subscription, you can change it to best fit your current needs. Not sure how much iCloud storage space you need? Check out our complete guide to choosing the perfect plan.
How to move files in the Files app on iPhone and iPadiCloud Drive is stored within the Files app on iPhone and iPad. The Files app opens up many possibilities for storage and file organization on iOS. You needn't stick to app-based folders for organizing content — you can treat the Files app like you would Dropbox or Box.
How to delete files in the Files app on iPhone and iPadIf you run out of space or want to declutter, you can quickly delete any files you don't need.
How to turn cellular data on or off for Files app syncingIf you store many documents in the Files app and you're on a limited data plan, you may want to prevent the app from using cellular data. Here's how!
This will make sure no cell data is used for iCloud Drive. Save your money! Learn how to iCloud DriveIf you're not using iCloud Drive yet on your Apple devices, it's time to get started. We hope this article helped you to begin the process of taking full advantage of this convenient service that's available for anyone with an Apple ID. You can also explore our iCloud Drive ultimate guide for more tips and tricks. Updated June 2022: Updated steps according to the latest version of iOS. Jaclyn Kilani is a content writer at iMore. She's a longtime Apple addict with a flair for creating (written works, design, photos; you name it!) on her devices. Jaclyn has also worked in the marketing sector for over 16 years, dabbling in a bit of everything from writing to graphic design and digital marketing. In her heart of hearts, however, she is a born writer and an avid reader who adores everything about the written word. Someday she may even churn out a book or two. Throughout her career, Jaclyn has also developed something of an addiction to all things Apple. Her professional and personal life is enhanced by an ever-growing collection of iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches, and even AirTags. Luckily, this expensive habit is of great use to her work at iMore, where she writes with authority on Apple products and the accessories that go with them. |