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iCloud plays a crucial role in keeping your Apple devices in sync, but many users only notice its importance when storage runs out. Photos stop uploading, backups fail, and apps stop syncing. Apple offers 5GB of free cloud space, which fills up quickly when you use iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive, Messages, email, and device backups. Understanding how to manage your iCloud storage ensures seamless access to data across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro.

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iCloud Storage versus Device Storage

Device storage is the physical space on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, holding apps, photos, videos, and system data locally. iCloud storage, however, is cloud-based and tied to your Apple ID, making it accessible across all devices. Deleting local files does not free up iCloud space, and vice versa, so knowing the difference helps you decide where to remove content.

How to Free Up iCloud Storage

When iCloud storage becomes full, it stops the backup processes; besides this, apps may also fail to sync correctly. Devices running iOS or iPadOS 17 have a "Recommended for You" section, which identifies files, duplicate media, old backups, and large items that you can remove.

Recommended For You

Steps to use Recommended for You:

1. Go to Settings > your name > iCloud.

2. Tap Recommended for You.

3. Review and delete those things you no longer need.

Reduce Backup Size

iCloud backs up app data, messages, and settings. However, unused apps use up unnecessary space.

To manage backups:

1. Go to Settings > your name > iCloud > Storage or Manage Account Storage > Backups.

2. Choose your device.

3. Go to the applications you don't want to back up.

To delete old backups:

1. Choose the backup.

2. Tap Turn Off and Delete.

> Note: Deleting a backup disables iCloud Backup for that device until re-enabled.

Delete Photos, Videos, Files, Messages, and Mail

iCloud Photos: The Library uses significant space, and uploading the library on iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro, Mac or using iCloud.com, the Recently Deleted folder should be emptied after deleting unwanted media.

iCloud Drive: Go to the Files app, Mac, or iCloud.com to delete documents or folders.

Messages: Delete attachments or entire conversations.

iCloud Mail: Manually delete emails or use Mail Cleanup to clean up categories like promotions.

Contact Images: Go to Settings > iCloud > Storage > Contact Images to remove stored visuals.

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Upgrade to iCloud+

Not enough with 5GB? Go for the iCloud+ storage upgrade, which includes features like Private Relay and Hide My Email.

Steps to upgrade:

1. Go to Settings > your name > iCloud > Manage Storage or Upgrade. 2. Choose your desired plan and confirm.

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