How to manage iCloud storage and free up space

iCloud Storage Management Guide: Free up space, optimize synchronization

Apple's iCloud cloud storage service facilitates users to sync and backup files between devices such as iPhone and Mac. iCloud automatically syncs photos, emails, notes, calendars, information, general files, and third-party application data. All Apple users get 5GB of iCloud storage for free by default, with the option to upgrade to 200GB ($2.99 ​​per month) or 2TB ($9.99 per month). This article will guide you to effectively manage iCloud storage space and free up space.

Check iCloud storage space usage

Apple continues to improve macOS and iOS systems to simplify iCloud storage management. Since there is only 5GB of free space by default, it is recommended to check the storage space usage regularly to avoid insufficient space or being forced to upgrade the storage plan.

Manage iCloud storage on your Mac:

1. Open System Settings → Your Profile → iCloud
2. Click "Manage..." next to "Account Storage"
3. View all the categories that take up space

Reasons for insufficient storage space for iCloud

Free 5GB iCloud space is limited. Photo sync may run out of this space within a few weeks. In addition, there are iPhone backups, emails and data from all third-party apps.

If you are using a 200GB or 2TB storage plan and still lacking space, you need to check the space-consuming items more carefully.

Free up space on iPhone and Mac

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You can manage iCloud storage space by stopping sync certain iCloud services or deleting data accumulated by applications.

Stop syncing unwanted iCloud services:

1. Go to System Settings → Your Profile → iCloud
2. Turn off the synchronization switch for unwanted applications
3. Repeat this process on your iPhone

Regularly delete accumulated data:

1. Go to System Settings → Your Profile → iCloud
2. Click "Manage..." next to "Account Storage"
3. Delete unwanted data

Clean iCloud storage space

In addition to the above methods, you can also change the application settings on your Mac and delete unwanted files to reduce iCloud storage space usage.

Delete photos

If you have an iPhone, you may have a lot of photos you no longer need. These photos may be repeated, poorly taken, old reference photos (such as parking numbers) or photos that have been permanently stored elsewhere.

You can manually delete photos from the photo app on your Mac or the camera roll on your iPhone one by one, but there are more efficient ways to get good results in seconds.

Delete duplicate iCloud files on your Mac

Gemini is an app that quickly detects duplicate and similar images that do not need to take up space on your Mac. Drag and drop any folder into the app and it will quickly scan and automatically suggest all photos that can be deleted without losing valuable information. If you are not sure, you can view all selections before deleting.

Since photos take up several GB of space on the drive, using Gemini can free up a lot of space at once, especially if you haven't scanned photos this way before.

Delete emails and information

Since we send dozens or even hundreds of emails and messages every day, sometimes with large attachments (such as photos, documents, or presentations), these emails and messages tend to accumulate over time and take up our iCloud storage capacity.

Most messaging apps have an option to automatically delete messages that have exceeded a specific date (such as 30 days or two months). For example, the "Information" application for Mac has three date options to configure:

1. Open "Information" → "Preferences" (Command,)
2. In the Retain Information drop-down menu, select 30 days, one year, or permanent

Similarly, most emails are saved in the cloud. So it's a good idea to delete large local email attachments. You can still access accessories in the cloud if you need it, but they won't take up space on your Mac.

If you are looking for an email client that is easy to manage emails on your Mac, Canary Mail is the perfect choice for you.

Canary Mail is a secure and private email client that takes your workflow to the next level. The app will learn which emails are important to you and highlight them in the future. It also has an AI assistant that helps you write and summarize emails, identify tasks within them, and even answer questions about emails through built-in AI chat. Additionally, you can encrypt your emails to enhance security so that they cannot be read by third parties.

Clean up your Mac

If you are looking for a way to clean up your iCloud storage space, you should start with your Mac. Deleting applications, files, and data that are no longer in use will free up iCloud storage space at the same time.

You can manually browse the Applications, iCloud, Documents, Downloads, and Library folders to delete all content you no longer need.

The way to free up space and optimize your Mac faster is to use CleanMyMac X.

CleanMyMac X is the most advanced Mac scanner on the market today. It automatically finds residual files, extra data, and unused applications and provides comprehensive deletion suggestions that you can adjust further if needed.

Additionally, CleanMyMac X offers additional options that allow you to update or uninstall applications, speed up RAM, check for malware, check for large files, and protect your privacy.

Manage iCloud storage on your Mac using CleanMyMac X:

1. Start CleanMyMac X
2. Go to "System Junk Files" in the sidebar
3. scanning
4. View details
5. Uncheck anything you want to keep
6. Clean up

Please read also:

• Use Gemini to delete duplicate files
• How to recover Excel files on Mac
• Choose the best iCloud storage plan for you
• How to Recover Deleted Photos on Mac

Delete old backups

Users using the free 5GB iCloud plan will notice that a large portion of this may be taken up by frequent iPhone backups.

In fact, you rarely need multiple backup versions. If you delete the rest of the backups, you can save a lot of space.

Delete old backups from iCloud:

1. Go to "System Settings" → Your Profile
2. Under Account Storage, click Manage
3. Scroll down and click "Backup"
4. Select the backup you want to delete and click the minus icon
5. delete

If you often lack space, another solution might be to not make backups via iCloud, but instead look for more powerful third-party applications like Get Backup Pro.

Get Backup Pro is the ultimate backup utility for Mac. It allows you to configure the exact backup method you need, from simple copy to cloning to increment to version control. You can save monthly iCloud costs by backing up to an external drive or even another Mac. Selective backups and bootable backups are also possible.

Change iCloud Storage Plan

When you find that your Mac has insufficient iCloud storage space, the last available trick is to upgrade to a different storage plan. Despite monthly payments, the iCloud storage plan is affordable, with 200GB $2.99 ​​per month and 2TB $9.99 per month. In addition, they provide seamless file synchronization and continuous backups between devices.

Change the storage plan:

1. Go to System Settings → Your Profile → iCloud
2. Click "Manage..." next to "Account Storage"
3. Click "Change Storage Plan..."
4. Choose 200GB or 2TB

Now you've learned how to manage your iCloud storage space, from checking what's taking up space to deleting duplicate files with Gemini, deleting email attachments with Canary Mail, optimizing your Mac with CleanMyMac X, and saving backups for free with Get Backup Pro.

The above application is currently available for free trial for seven days through the Setapp trial version. Setapp is a platform with over 240 useful applications for Mac and iOS covering all possible problems and solutions. Give it a try, explore something new and find your new favorite.

FAQ:

My iCloud storage space is still full after deleting photos, why?

Your photos may not be synced with iCloud at the moment. Please check if iCloud is enabled.

Another reason is that your photos remain in the "Recently Deleted" folder where they continue to take up space. Remove them from there and you should see the space increase immediately.

How much free iCloud storage space is available?

Apple provides 5GB of iCloud storage for everyone for free.

How to delete photos from iCloud but not delete photos on iPhone?

If you disable iCloud photo sync in Settings, you can delete photos from the cloud or Mac, which will not affect photos on your iPhone.

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