How to Use iCloud Storage

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This wikiHow teaches you how to access and use Apple's cloud-based storage platform from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or over the Web.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using iPhone or iPad

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  1. It's an app that contains gears (⚙️) and is typically located on your home screen. [1]
  2. It's the section at the top of the menu that contains your name and image, if you've added one [2]
    • If you are not signed in, tap Sign in to (your device) , enter your Apple ID and password, then tap Sign In .
    • If you are running an older version of iOS, you may not need to do this step.
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  3. It's in the second section of the menu. [3]
  4. Do so by sliding the buttons next to the apps listed under "Apps Using iCloud" to the "On" (green) or "Off" (white) position.
    • Scroll down to see the complete list of apps that may access iCloud.
  5. It's near the top of the "Apps Using iCloud" section. [4]
    • Turn on iCloud Photo Library to automatically upload and store your camera roll to iCloud. When enabled, your entire photo and video library will be accessible from any mobile or desktop platform.
    • Turn on My Photo Stream to automatically upload new photos to iCloud whenever you're connected to Wi-Fi.
    • Turn on iCloud Photo Sharing if you'd like to create photo albums that friends can access over the web or on their Apple device.
  6. It's in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  7. It's near the bottom of the "Apps Using iCloud" section.
  8. It will turn green. Doing so makes stored passwords and payment information available on any device that you've logged into with your Apple ID.
    • Apple does not have access to this encrypted information.
  9. It's in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  10. It's near the bottom of the "Apps Using iCloud" section.
  11. Doing so allows you to locate your device by logging into iCloud on a computer or mobile platform and clicking on "Find My iPhone ."
    • Turn on Send Last Location to enable your device to send its location information to Apple when the battery is critically low.
  12. It's in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  13. It's near the bottom of the "Apps Using iCloud" section.
  14. Do this to automatically save all of your files, settings, app data, pictures, and music to iCloud whenever your device is plugged in, locked, and connected to Wi-Fi. iCloud Backup enables you to restore your data from iCloud if you replace or erase your device.
  15. Doing so will allow apps to access and store data on your iCloud Drive.
    • Any app listed below iCloud Drive will be able to access its storage if the button next to it is in the "On" (green) position.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Mac

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  1. It's the black, apple-shaped icon in the upper-left corner of your screen.
  2. It's in the second section of the drop-down menu.
  3. It's on the left side of the window.
    • If you're not automatically logged in, enter your Apple ID and password. [5]
  4. It's at the top of the right pane. Now you can store files and documents on iCloud.
    • Do so by choosing "iCloud Drive" in any "Save" dialog box or dragging files to iCloud Drive in the left pane of a Finder window.
    • Select which apps have permission to access iCloud Drive by clicking on the Options button next to "iCloud Drive" in the dialog box.
  5. Do so by checking the boxes below "iCloud Drive". For example, check "Photos" if you want to back up and access your Photos on iCloud. Now, your selected data will be stored and available on iCloud.
    • You may need to scroll down to see all the selections.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using the Web

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  1. Go to the iCloud website . Do so from any browser, including on a computer running Windows.
  3. The iCloud web apps allow you to see any of the data you've stored or synced with iCloud. For example, click on Photos to see your synced pictures.
  4. This opens your iCloud Drive interface, in which you can upload and download documents and files.
  5. Now your documents will be available from any device, including iPhones and iPads.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I find what's being stored in my iCloud?
    Gonzalo Martinez
    Computer & Phone Repair Specialist
    Gonzalo Martinez is the President of CleverTech, a tech repair business in San Jose, California founded in 2014. CleverTech LLC specializes in repairing Apple products. CleverTech pursues environmental responsibility by recycling aluminum, display assemblies, and the micro components on motherboards to reuse for future repairs. On average, they save 2 lbs - 3 lbs more electronic waste daily than the average computer repair store.
    Gonzalo Martinez
    Computer & Phone Repair Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Sign into your iCloud the same way you normally would and then select "manage storage." That screen will give you a pretty thorough breakdown of what's taking up space.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
  • Question
    How do I erase things from my phone if it's in the iCloud?
    Gonzalo Martinez
    Computer & Phone Repair Specialist
    Gonzalo Martinez is the President of CleverTech, a tech repair business in San Jose, California founded in 2014. CleverTech LLC specializes in repairing Apple products. CleverTech pursues environmental responsibility by recycling aluminum, display assemblies, and the micro components on motherboards to reuse for future repairs. On average, they save 2 lbs - 3 lbs more electronic waste daily than the average computer repair store.
    Gonzalo Martinez
    Computer & Phone Repair Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Go into your iPhone's settings and then scroll down to "General." Tap that and look for the storage folder. Under "iPhone Storage," you'll see the breakdown of what's taking up space on your phone and you can delete it from there.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
  • Question
    Can I delete pictures from my phone, but not in iCloud?
    Community Answer
    Indeed you can! If you enable your iCloud Photo Library setting, your entire library will upload to iCloud Drive. You can then switch the iCloud Photo Library setting back off and delete your phone's pictures--the photos will stay in iCloud Drive as long as you don't have a photostream enabled.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 17 Helpful 10
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • If your iCloud storage fills up, try deleting older backups from your previous phones or delete old messages that you don't need anymore.
      • You can share your iCloud with other people if you need to give someone access to important documents or pictures.
      • You can always upgrade your iCloud storage so you have more space and room to back up your information.
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      Warnings

      • If you're on a shared or public computer, remember to sign out of your iCloud account when you finish using it.
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      • Be wary of sending Keychain or Wallet information over public networks, since these applications carry sensitive information.
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      References

      1. ↑ Gonzalo Martinez. Computer Repair Technician. Expert Interview. 25 July 2019.
      2. ↑ Gonzalo Martinez. Computer Repair Technician. Expert Interview. 25 July 2019.
      3. ↑ Gonzalo Martinez. Computer Repair Technician. Expert Interview. 25 July 2019.
      4. ↑ http://www.apple.com/icloud/
      5. ↑ http://www.apple.com/icloud/setup/mac.html
      6. ↑ http://www.apple.com/icloud/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Sync mail, contacts, and calendars across devices.
      2. Store photos and videos with iCloud Photo Library.
      3. Use Keychain to store passwords and payment information.
      4. Enable Find My iPhone in case your phone is lost or stolen.
      5. Use iCloud Backup to automatically back up all info to the cloud.
      6. Enable iCloud Drive to back up apps and app data.

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