I. Introduction
As the amount of photos, videos, and data we store on our devices continues to grow, we often find ourselves running out of space on our iCloud storage. This can be frustrating for users who rely on cloud storage for everyday use. Fortunately, there are several ways to get more iCloud storage for free. The goal of this article is to offer helpful tips on how to optimize usage and free up storage space.
II. Optimize Your Current Usage
The first step in getting more iCloud storage for free is to optimize your current usage. This means identifying what’s taking up space on your iCloud and finding ways to reduce it. One way to optimize your usage is to backup photos and videos to an external drive. Another way is to clean up your mailboxes by deleting old emails and attachments. Utilizing iCloud management services, such as iCloud Control Panel or iCloud for Windows, can also be useful in optimizing your usage.
III. Delete Unwanted Apps
Unwanted apps can take up valuable space on your iCloud storage. These can be apps that you no longer use or have duplicates of. To free up space, identify and delete unwanted apps. This can be done by going to “Settings” and selecting “General” followed by “iPhone Storage.” Here, you can see which apps are taking up the most space and delete them accordingly.
IV. Use Lower Resolution on Photos and Videos
Optimizing the resolution of photos and videos can go a long way in freeing up your iCloud storage. By utilizing lower resolution settings, you can reduce the amount of space they take up on your iCloud. To do this, go to “Settings,” “Photos,” and select “Optimize iPhone Storage.” This will automatically optimize the resolution of your photos and videos.
V. Utilize iCloud Photo Sharing
iCloud Photo Sharing can help free up space on your iCloud storage while also enabling you to share photos and videos with others on your contact list. To utilize this feature, simply select “Photos” followed by “Shared” and create a shared album. Add photos and videos to the album and invite others to view and contribute to it.
VI. Clear Out Old/Backed-up Device Data
Old and backed-up device data can quickly take up space on your iCloud storage. To free up space, identify and delete old backups from devices you no longer use or need. Go to “Settings,” “General,” and select “iPhone Storage.” Here, you can see which backups are taking up the most space and delete accordingly.
VII. Use External Cloud Storage Alternatives
If you find that you still need more storage space, utilizing external cloud storage services can provide additional free storage. Services such as Google Photos, Dropbox, and OneDrive offer free storage capacities. Benefits to these external cloud storage alternatives include ease of use and features such as automatic photo backup and syncing.
VIII. Conclusion
There are several ways to get more iCloud storage for free. Optimizing current usage, deleting unwanted apps, utilizing lower resolution on photos and videos, utilizing iCloud Photo Sharing, clearing out old/backed-up device data, and using external cloud storage alternatives are all effective ways to do so. By following these tips, you can free up space on your iCloud storage and provide more room for your everyday use. For further reading, check out Apple’s website for more iCloud storage tips and tricks.
