iCloud is Apple’s proprietary cloud storage and computing service. It is available for free to all Apple device users, but has a capacity limit. Properly managing your iCloud account is the best way to ensure there is always space available if you want to save files to the cloud. In light of this, here are some tips and tricks on how to free up space in iCloud.
Manage your app backups
The iCloud Backup feature automatically uploads important information to the cloud. Although this ensures that none of your important files are accidentally lost, this can also cause your iCloud storage to fill up quickly. Many iOS apps have automatic backup turned on by default, even those you no longer use. To choose which apps are allowed to access the backup feature, do the following:
- On your iOS device, go to Settings.
- Tap your profile name.
- Find the iCloud menu and tap on it.
- Tap Manage Storage
- Then tap Backups.
- Find the name of the device you are currently using and then tap it.
- The menu should display the list of apps currently using the Backup feature. Otherwise, choose Show all apps. Choose the apps you don’t want to back up.
- Tap Power Off and Delete. This will disable backups for that particular app and delete any of the files you have backed up to the cloud. However, please note that the backup features of some applications cannot be disabled.
Delete device backups
From the previous menu you can also delete any of the backup copies of devices that you no longer have or that you are not really using. iCloud is transferred from one iOS device to another and is enabled by default. All of this can be managed from your current phone, iMac or even PC via iCloud for Windows.
- Proceed to the Manage Storage menu by following the instructions above if you are on an iOS device.
- If you’re using an iMac, click the Apple menu, choose System Preferences, choose your Apple ID, then find and click iCloud.
- If you’re using a PC, open the iCloud for Windows app, and then select Storage from the menu.
- For all devices, choose Backups from the options.
- Choose the device you want to delete backups from, and then click or tap it.
- Click Delete Backup. If prompted for confirmation, click Delete again.
Deleting a device’s backup not only deletes all data specific to that device from the cloud, but also disables the iCloud backup feature automatically. If you want to use Backup again for that device, you’ll need to turn it back on. To enable iCloud backup, go to your device’s Settings, click your profile, and tap iCloud.
Manage your photos
iCloud Photos for iOS saves photos across all registered devices to a single storage location. This means that photos taken with all your devices are uploaded to your iCloud account. To reduce the space it takes up, move the photos to your computer or turn off automatic backup by choosing the option from the Backup menu under Manage Storage Settings as detailed above.
You can also choose to delete inpidual photos or videos by going to the Photos app, tapping All Photos, selecting one or more images, and then tapping Trash.
iCloud Photos keeps your deleted photos on hold for 30 days in case you change your mind or if you deleted a photo by mistake. If you want to permanently delete these photos right away, go to the Albums tab, open Recently Deleted, choose an image, and then tap Delete. You will be asked for confirmation if you really want to delete these images permanently. You can also restore images from this menu by choosing the Recover option.
Delete files and folders in iCloud Drive
You can also manage the files that are uploaded to your iCloud account by managing them through the Files app on your phone, an iMac, or through the iCloud for Windows app on your PC.
- If you are using an iOS mobile device, you can access this option as follows:
1. Open the Files app and tap Browse.
2. Under Locations in the menu, tap iCloud Drive, then tap Select when prompted.
3. Select the files or folders you want to delete and then tap Trash.
As with iCloud Photos, files you delete will be kept for 30 days in case you want to restore them. To delete them immediately, return to Locations, tap Recently Deleted, and then tap Select. Choose the files you want to delete permanently and then tap Delete. Alternatively, you can also choose Recover to restore these files.
- If you are using an iMac, you can easily delete files and folders as follows:
1. Open Finder and then find the iCloud Drive folder.
2. You can move files from this folder to other folders on your iMac to delete them from the cloud or proceed to drag them
them to the Trash.
3. If you want to delete these files permanently, open the Trash, right-click the file, and then click Delete Immediately.
- If you are on a Windows device, you can proceed as follows:
1. Open iCloud for Windows and then sign in.
2. Turn on iCloud Drive if it isn’t already.
3. Open the iCloud Drive folder, then select and delete the content you want to delete.
A simple restore function
The iCloud feature for iOS makes it easy to share and restore files between the devices you own. This connectivity between devices means it can fill up quickly, especially if you have multiple devices sharing one account. Managing the data you upload to the cloud ensures that you always have available storage for important files.
Do you know any other tips and tricks on how to free up iCloud space? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
