Because there are multiple ways to delete data, freeing up iCloud space can be a minefield full of confusing steps – and potentially deleting data that you need. To make matters worse, the steps are often a bit different if you are working on an iPad or iPhone than if you are working on a Mac or MacBook.
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The first step before deleting anything from the iCloud is to see what’s eating up the most storage. Then, ensure that you no longer need that data. You can do this by saving any desired files to your device or to external storage first. You’ll also want to make sure Photos is not syncing to iCloud, or your deleting images will also remove them from your phone. Then, clear off unnecessary files and adjust your iCloud settings to prevent seeing that iCloud full warning regularly.
While there aremultiple waysto clear iCloud storage, we recommend using eitheriCloud.comor the Settings app because you can quickly clear lots of files from multiple sources using just one app.
How to view your iCloud storage capacity
Check what’s taking up space
Before you start deleting things from the iCloud, firstcheck what’s taking up space.
Once you’ve determined what is taking up your iCloud storage, then you can ensure any necessary files are saved to another location, then remove files to clear up space.
Important step to do before deleting iCloud files
Turn off iCloud Sync first to avoid losing photos
Whenever you remove files from cloud storage, make sure that these files are either no longer needed or saved to a different location. When working with iCloud, the two biggest things to check are that Photo sync is disabled and iCloud Drive files are saved elsewhere.
iCloud sync is designed to make Apple users' lives easier by keeping all devices in tune. However, that can backfire.
If you have Photos set to sync to the iCloud and start deleting images, they will be deleted from both the iCloud and your phone.
If you want to free up iCloud space, but still want those photos on your phone, you need to ensure that sync is turned off first.
Another option to avoid losing photos is toback up your iCloud photos to Google Photos.
Save iCloud Drive files to a second location
Once you delete iCloud Drive files, those files are also deleted from the iCloud Drive on every device signed into the same Apple ID. Before clearing out your iCloud storage, make sure that important files are saved in a second location. you may do this by saving the files fromiCloud.combefore you start deleting them.
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Option 1: Clear iCloud storage using iCloud.com
Pick and choose individual files
UsingiCloud.comto free up storage allows you to pick and choose individual files or easily delete large quantities at once. While there are multiple ways to remove photos and files from iCloud, one of the easiest methods is to use a web browser and iCloud.com.
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Option 2: Clear iCloud storage using the Settings app
Remove data all at once
Once you know what is taking up your iCloud storage, you can start clearing some new space. Removing data all at once using the Settings app is the fastest way to free up iCloud space. However, if you want to pick and choose which files to remove, such as removing some photos but not all, skip ahead to the next section.
Before you start, ensure any important data is saved elsewhere. Remember to ensure that Photo sync is off if you want to keep the photos on your device but not in the cloud.
If you want to quickly clear all data from one app or category, such as Photos or Drive, on iOS:
Why is my iCloud storage full after deleting photos?
Empty the Recently Deleted folder
The iCloud is designed to prevent lost data. When you delete images or documents from iCloud or turn off syncing for Photos, you have 30 days to download those images. This is a safeguard to prevent losing images, giving you a 30-day grace period to remember that you still want that photo.
But, while recently deleted files from Drive don’t count against your iCloud storage space, the photos in the Recently Deleted folder will still count against your storage limits. If you want to clear up iCloud space, this delay can instead be frustrating. If you turned off Photo Syncing and deleted photos but didn’t gain any space, that’s because the photos have been moved to Recently Deleted and have not been fully removed from the cloud.
If you are sure you want those photos permanently deleted, here’s what you do:
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How to maximize your free iCloud storage
Change what apps use the iCloud
Apple only includes 5GB of iCloud storage space in the free plan. There isn’t a way to get additional iCloud storage without paying for a subscription. But, you may delete unnecessary files to free up space, change what apps use the iCloud, or save data on physical storage devices instead.
By only allowing the strictly necessary apps to use iCloud, you’ll see that iCloud Storage Full messages less often while still safeguarding your most important data. First, you need to decide what data is most important to you. If your iPhone was lost or damaged, what data would you still want to be able to retrieve? For me personally, I like having my Pages documents and contacts backed up to the iCloud; but I wouldn’t shed any tears over lost Health data or old text messages.
To pick and choose what apps save to the iCloud:
The other option is to save your data to an external storage device instead. This isn’t exactly a free option since you’ll need to buy the external hard drive if you don’t already have one. But, a one-time payment can sometimes be more affordable than paying for an iCloud subscription indefinitely.
The downside to using an external drive rather than cloud storage, however, is that if the drive is damaged, that data will be lost. For example, iCloud storage is unaffected by a house fire, but a physical external drive could be destroyed. On iOS, you may save backups, photos, and other datato an external hard drive following this tutorial.
