You can delete your iCloud’s mail and message data by heading to the Manage Storage menu, or you can go to your apps on your devices and fine-tune your deletions – you could choose to only eliminate emails with large attachments. This may be prudent for security and versatility, but it can take up ample space.
In a similar vein, your emails and messages from iOS or macOS will often be preserved in iCloud. Realistically, you’ve never going to see those again – so head to the Manage Storage menu and delete them. If you’re in busy group chats on WhatsApp, for instance, then your iCloud could have thousands of message backups, photos and GIFs. Particular apps are frequent offenders when it comes to iCloud capacity. Even if you’ve lots of apps using small amounts of storage, that can easily add up. Click individual apps and you can delete its data from your iCloud. You’ll be able to see which apps occupy space. To deal with this, head to your iCloud menu and click Manage Storage. Your device could be storing data from apps that you’re barely using. If you’re an iOS user, lots of apps use the iCloud to sync data and create their own backups. Your iCloud isn’t just filled with photo archives and backups. Step 3: Bin the backupsįree up iCloud space by un-checking apps you rarely use. When apps like Photobooth and Garageband automatically use the iCloud Drive, it’s easy to see how that 5GB can quickly be consumed. Simply head to your iCloud Drive folder using the Files app on your iOS device or your Finder app on your macOS hardware, see which files are taking up space and delete anything unnecessary. This principle can also be applied to other files.
How do i backup my mac to icloud now free#
And, if you still want your photos uploaded to the cloud but don’t want them occupying your iCloud, then it’s worth investigating alternative products – many have free services that offer more than 5GB of space alongside compression-free uploads from iOS and macOS devices. Here you can turn off the setting that automatically uploads your pictures or fine-tune it with alternative options. If you don’t necessarily need all of your photos uploaded at all, open iCloud and head to the Photo menu. If you want them gone, head to that folder and empty it. Remember that files deleted on individual devices may not be removed from your iCloud automatically, because the service moves them to the Recently Deleted folder for thirty days. Apple’s iOS devices can automatically upload photos to your iCloud, so if you’re a keen photographer then your storage will quickly fill. One of the most common culprits when it comes to iCloud capacity is your photo library. Once you’ve seen how your 5GB is being used, you should have a clearer idea of how you can free up some crucial capacity. If you don't need to backup your iPhone or iPad photos, you'll likely save a lot of space here (Image credit: Apple)