How to Clear iCloud Storage on iPhone [iOS 16]

Saving your documents, photos, and backups to your iCloud storage fills up quickly. In this blog post, I will explore different methods to clear iCloud storage, manage your storage effectively and share it with your family members. with this guide, you can also free up your iPhone storage.

In today’s digital age, all people rely heavily on cloud storage services to store their data, with iCloud being one of the most popular choices for Apple users. However, as you continue to accumulate data, you may find that your iCloud storage is becoming increasingly cluttered and limited for use.

What is iCloud?

iCloud is Apple’s cloud storage and computing service that enables users to securely store and access data such as documents, photos, and music across multiple devices. Launched in 2011, this iCloud service provides users with data synchronization, device backup and restore, and various collaboration features. With seamless integration into Apple’s ecosystem, iCloud offers 5 GB of free storage. In addition, additional paid plans are offered to cater to the different needs of users.

How to Check iCloud Storage

To find out how much storage space you’re using and how much space you have left in iCloud, follow either of the two methods below:

1) On iPhone

• Open the Settings app.
• Tap on your profile picture at the top.
• Select iCloud to view your current plan and available storage.
• Tap “Manage Account Storage” for detailed uses of the app and file usage.

2) On iCloud.com

• On your Safari browser open the iCloud.com website.
• Sign in with your Apple ID.
• Now, Scroll down to the “Your Storage” icon, and view your available storage.

How to Clear iCloud Storage on iPhone

Clear iCloud storage on your iPhone is essential to manage your files and optimizing your device’s performance. Use this step-by-step guide to learn how to effectively manage your iCloud storage, delete unnecessary data, and ensure your iPhone runs smoothly.

1) Delete old device backups

The first and foremost method to clear iCloud storage is to delete old device backups, as they occupy more space than other content.

• On your iPhone, Go to Settings > Your Profile > iCloud.
• In iCloud Storage, identify any old device backups that you no longer need.
• Tap on backup to access its details.
• Select the device whose backup you want to delete now.
• Tap “Delete Backup” and confirm deletion to free up storage space.

2) Clear up photos and videos

Another effective method to clear iCloud storage is to review and delete unnecessary files, photos, and videos from your iCloud Drive and iCloud Photo Library.

• On your iPhone, Go to Settings > Your Profile > iCloud.
• If you’re using iCloud Photos, tap “Photos” in the Manage Storage list. Choose “Optimize iPhone Storage” to store smaller, device-optimized versions of your photos on your iPhone, while the full-resolution versions are stored in iCloud.
• Now, Tap on “Turn Off & Delete from iCloud” to Delete Photos from your Cloud storage.

3) Manage app data

Review the list of apps using iCloud storage. Tap on an app to see the data it stores in iCloud. If you want to delete the data, tap “Delete Documents & Data” and confirm the deletion.

Note: Be cautious, as this will permanently remove the data.

4) Turn off iCloud storage for specific apps

• On your iPhone, Go to Settings > Your Profile > iCloud > Backups > Choose a device.
• If you don’t want an app to use iCloud storage, go back to the main iCloud backup screen, and tap the toggle switch next to the app’s name to turn off iCloud syncing.

5) Upgrade your iCloud storage plan

If you need more storage space, you can upgrade your iCloud storage plan. In the iCloud settings, tap “Manage Your Plan” and then “Change Storage Plan” to view available plans and pricing. After selecting a storage plan, tap the “Buy” button to purchase it. Upon successful purchase, the new plan will be displayed in the plan section of your iCloud settings.

If you’re considering purchasing additional iCloud storage, Apple offers various iCloud storage plans to cater to different needs across all regions. The available plans and pricing are as follows:

These plans can be easily upgraded or downgraded depending on your storage needs.

Adding family members to iCloud storage

To add family members to your iCloud storage, follow these steps:

• Open Settings and Select the Family Sharing section under the profile.
• Tap “Add Family Member” in the top right corner.
• Choose to either invite Other or create a child account.
• Tap “Done” to complete the process.

Sharing iCloud storage with family

Once you’ve added family members, you can share your iCloud storage with them by enabling Family Sharing:

• Navigate to the main iCloud settings page.
• Scroll down and tap “Family Sharing”.
• Confirm your selection, and all added family members will now be able to use the shared iCloud storage.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can clear iCloud storage, manage your digital assets efficiently, and share your storage space with family members. Remember to review your storage usage periodically and delete unnecessary files to make the most of your iCloud storage.

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