Introduction
In our digital age, cloud storage has become a necessity, and iCloud is one of the popular options for Apple users. However, it’s common to run out of space on iCloud, particularly if you use multiple Apple devices and don’t manage the storage regularly. This can be frustrating, especially when you can’t receive new emails or save new photos. In this article, we will look at various ways to clear iCloud storage and make the most of the available space. Whether you are new to iCloud or you’ve been using it for some time, this guide is for you.
Optimizing iCloud Storage
Turning on iCloud Photos optimization is an effective way to free up space on your iCloud. This feature reduces the size of your photo library by storing optimized versions of your images on your device while keeping the full resolution images on iCloud. To do this:
- On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Photos and turn on “Optimize iPhone/iPad Storage.”
- On a Mac, go to Photos > Preferences > iCloud and select “Optimize Mac Storage.”
Another way to free up space is to delete messages with large attachments or old attachments. These messages can take up a lot of storage space, and deleting them will create more room in your iCloud. To do this:
- Go to the Messages app and find the conversation that has the large or old attachment.
- Tap and hold the attachment, then select “More” and choose the ones you want to delete.
- Tap the trash icon to delete them.
By optimizing iCloud photos and deleting unessential messages, you optimize space on your iCloud, thus giving room for important files.
Backup and Delete
While freeing up space on iCloud storage, it’s important to backup essential data. Before deleting anything, make sure you backup important files to avoid losing them. You can do this via iCloud backup or iTunes backup. To delete items you don’t need:
- Go to your iCloud storage settings and look for items that take up a lot of space, such as backups, documents, or other data.
- Select the items you don’t need and delete them.
This creates space without letting go of anything they might need down the line. Data not backed up is always prone to loss, so backing up files is essential when using iCloud storage.
Third-Party Tools
Several third-party tools can also help manage and optimize your iCloud storage space. For instance;
- iMyFone Umate is a tool that helps you manage your iOS storage. You can use it to clean junk files, compress photos, and remove large files, among others.
- Duplicate Detective helps you find duplicate files and delete them, freeing up more space.
Using these tools can help manage your iCloud storage with ease, saving you the stress of manually checking through your iCloud settings.
Turn off Automatic Backup
Stopping automatic backups of specific apps is an effective way to avoid unnecessary backups. These backups can take a considerable amount of storage space. To stop automatic backups of specific apps:
- Go to iCloud storage settings on your device and select “Backups.”
- Select the device you want to manage backups for, and then select the app you want to turn off backup for.
- Toggle off the backup option for the selected app.
Turning off automatic backups of some apps you do not need will save space on your iCloud.
Review and Delete Old Backups
Cloud storage can seem infinite, but over time it can fill up with old and useless backups of your device. To effectively manage your space:
- Go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage on your device.
- Select the backup you want to delete and tap “Delete Backup.”
It’s advisable to keep only the latest backup of each device since it usually contains the most up-to-date information. Deleting old backups creates more space on your iCloud, thus saving you cost on storage plans and keeping a more crucial backup information.
Use iCloud Storage Plans
If you’ve tried all the steps above and you still run out of iCloud storage, it’s time to upgrade your iCloud plan. You can purchase a 50GB, 200GB, or 2TB plan, depending on your needs. Upgrading your iCloud plan will give you more space to work with. Not only is it more cost-effective to pay yearly, but it also saves you time by not worrying about constantly clearing up storage space all the time.
Conclusion
Clearing up space on iCloud can be tricky, but it’s essential to do so to avoid running out of storage space. By optimizing iCloud storage, having backups, deleting, and reviewing old backups, using third-party tools, turning off automatic backups, and using iCloud storage plans, you can make the most out of your iCloud storage. Following these steps will allow you to use your iCloud storage efficiently and secure your essential data.
