how to clean icloud storage on iphone?

If you want to manage your iCloud storage effectively, the first step is to check how much space you are using. iCloud storage helps keep your photos, backups, and files safe, but sometimes it fills up quickly. By monitoring your storage, you can free up space or decide what to delete. Here are some simple ways to check your iCloud storage usage directly from your iPhone or other Apple devices.

Using Your iPhone Settings

This is the most straightforward method. Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap on your name at the top of the screen to access Apple ID settings. Then, select iCloud. You’ll see a bar graph showing your total iCloud storage at the top, with a breakdown of how much space is used by different categories like Photos, Backup, and Docs & Data. If you tap on Manage Storage or iCloud Storage, you’ll get a detailed view of what is taking up space and options to upgrade or manage your storage plan.
Via a Web Browser on Your Computer

You can also check your iCloud storage details from any computer by visiting the iCloud website. Open a browser and go to icloud.com. Sign in with your Apple ID and password. Once logged in, click on the gear icon and select Account Settings. Under the Storage section, you’ll see your total storage and how it is allocated. This method is especially useful if you’re managing space from a desktop or laptop computer.
Using the Files App on iOS or iPadOS

Some files stored in iCloud Drive can also give hints about your storage usage. Open the Files app and tap Browse. Under Locations, select iCloud Drive. Tap Select in the top right corner and choose specific files or folders. While this doesn’t show your total storage, it helps you identify large files that might be taking up space. Deleting unnecessary files from iCloud Drive is a good way to free storage.

Regularly checking your iCloud storage can prevent surprises when you get close to your limit. Remember, if your storage is full, you might not be able to back up your device or save new files until you free space or upgrade your plan. Avoid deleting critical backups or important data without backups, and consider managing large files or photos you no longer need. By following these easy methods, you can stay on top of your iCloud storage and ensure your data stays safe and accessible.

Common iCloud Storage Problems and Quick Fixes

Running out of iCloud storage can be frustrating, especially when you try to back up your iPhone or access your files. Many users encounter storage limitations that prevent new data from uploading or cause backups to fail. Fortunately, there are simple solutions to free up space and better manage your iCloud storage. This section guides you through common issues and quick fixes so you can optimize your storage efficiently.

Check Your Storage Usage: Before attempting fixes, see what’s taking up space. Go to your iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your Apple ID at the top, then select iCloud. Tap Manage Storage to view a breakdown of data types such as backups, photos, and apps.
Delete Unnecessary Backups: Old or unused device backups can consume lots of space. In Manage Storage, select any device backup you no longer need. Tap Delete Backup to remove it and free space.
Remove Large Files and Photos: Photos and videos often occupy the most space. Open the Photos app and delete unwanted items. Remember to empty the Recently Deleted album to free storage immediately.
Manage iCloud Drive Files: Files stored in iCloud Drive can accumulate quickly. Open the Files app, browse your folders, and delete documents you no longer need. Clearing large files can free hundreds of MBs or more.
Optimize Photos and Videos: To save space without deleting memories, enable Optimize iPhone Storage. Go to Settings > Photos, turn on Optimize iPhone Storage. This keeps smaller versions on your device while storing originals in iCloud.
Upgrade Your Storage Plan: If you constantly run out of space despite cleaning, consider upgrading your iCloud plan. Tap Manage Storage > Change Storage Plan to see available options. Many users find this the quickest way to handle large data needs.
Check for App Data and Downloads: Some apps sync data to iCloud or store files there. Review app settings to disable unnecessary backups or delete app files, freeing up storage for important data.
Avoid Common Mistakes: Don’t delete photos or files directly from iCloud.com without emptying the Trash, as they may still occupy space. Also, watch out for duplicate backups or excessive data linked to third-party apps.

If you follow these quick fixes, you should see a significant improvement in your iCloud storage. Regularly monitoring your usage and cleaning unwanted files can prevent storage issues and keep your data accessible across Apple devices.

How to Delete Old Photos and Videos from iCloud

Open the Photos App or iCloud Website

If you’re using an iPhone or iPad, open the Photos app. On a computer, visit iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID. Ensure that you have a good internet connection to access all your photos and videos smoothly.

Locate the Photos or Videos You Want to Delete

Browse through your library to find the outdated or unnecessary media files. Use search functions or albums to make this easier. Remember, deleting photos from the Photos app on your device also removes them from iCloud if you use iCloud Photos.

Select the Media Files

Tap or click on individual photos and videos to select them. On a computer, hold down the Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) key while clicking to select multiple items. Be careful to review your selection to avoid deleting cherished memories accidentally.

Delete the Selected Photos and Videos

Once selected, tap the trash icon or click the delete button. Confirm your action when prompted. On iCloud.com, a confirmation dialog will appear. Keep in mind, deleting items moves them to the Recently Deleted album.

Empty the Recently Deleted Album

To permanently free up space, go to the Albums view and find the Recently Deleted folder. Open it and click Delete All or select specific items to delete permanently. Items in this folder are usually stored for 30 days before automatic removal but deleting them manually accelerates space recovery.

Verify the Deletion

Check your iCloud storage to see if space has freed up. You can do this in your device settings or on the iCloud website. If space isn’t enough, repeat the process for other media files or consider managing backups and other data stored in iCloud.

If you accidentally delete important photos, you can restore them from the Recently Deleted album within 30 days. Always review your selections carefully before deletion to avoid losing valuable memories. Regularly managing your iCloud photos and videos not only frees up space but keeps your media library organized and easy to navigate.

Managing Backups to Free Up Space Effectively

Check Your Current Backups: First, see which backups are stored in iCloud. On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then select iCloud. Tap Manage Storage, then choose Backups. Here, you’ll see a list of devices with backups stored in iCloud, along with their sizes.
Identify Unnecessary Backups: Review each backup. If you see backups from old devices you no longer use or purposefully deleted, they are candidates for removal. Keep the latest backup of your current device to avoid data loss.
Delete Unwanted Backups: To delete a backup, tap on the device name, then select Delete Backup. Confirm your choice. Remember, deleting a backup is permanent and will remove all data saved in that backup from iCloud.
Optimize Backup Settings: You don’t need to backup everything. In the backup settings, disable app backups that aren’t essential. Under Manage Storage, tap on your device under Backups. Turn off backup for specific apps by toggling them off. This reduces backup size and saves space.
Regularly Review and Update Backups: Make it a habit to check your backups once a month. Remove outdated backups and review which apps are included in your backup plan. This proactive approach prevents storage buildup over time.
Use Alternative Storage Options: For large files like videos or photos, consider using cloud services such as Google Photos or Dropbox instead of including them in backups. This way, your backups stay lean and manageable.

By following these steps, you can keep your iCloud storage organized and avoid running out of space. Regular management of backups ensures your device data is safe without sacrificing valuable storage. Remember, always keep a recent backup before deleting old ones, in case you need to restore data later. Proper backup management not only saves space but also helps your device run more efficiently and securely.

Best Apps and Tools for Cleaning iCloud Storage

If your iCloud storage is nearly full, it can slow down your device and make it harder to save new photos, documents, or backups. Fortunately, there are several apps and tools designed specifically to help you clean and optimize your iCloud space. Using these third-party options can make managing your storage easier, freeing up space efficiently and securely.

Below are some recommended applications and tools that can assist you in cleaning your iCloud storage with minimal hassle.

Cleaner for iCloud

This app is designed to identify and remove duplicate files, large attachments, and unnecessary backups from your iCloud account. It provides a user-friendly interface that scans your storage and shows detailed reports on what can be deleted.
iMyFone Umate Pro

While mainly used for iPhone storage, iMyFone Umate Pro also supports cleaning iCloud backups. It helps delete old or redundant backups and large files that may be taking up space. Its preview feature allows you to review files before removal, avoiding accidental data loss.
PhoneClean

Although primarily for cleaning iPhone data, PhoneClean can also help optimize iCloud storage by removing junk files and temp files synced with iCloud. It’s easy to use and offers a quick scan of your storage for unnecessary files.
iCloud Storage Management in Settings

Built-in to your Apple device, the iCloud storage management tool lets you view what’s taking up space. You can delete old backups, disable unnecessary app data syncing, or manage individual app storage directly from your device settings without any extra apps.
iCloud.com Dashboard

By logging into iCloud.com, you can see your storage breakdown, delete emails with large attachments, and manage apps that use iCloud storage. This web interface provides basic but essential tools for storage management, especially useful if you’re cautious about installing third-party apps.

When choosing third-party apps, ensure they are reputable and have good reviews. Avoid giving apps access to sensitive data unless they come from trusted sources. Regularly reviewing and cleaning your iCloud storage with these tools can save you money, prevent backups from failing, and keep your data organized.

Remember, before doing any extensive cleanup, back up important data to avoid accidental deletion. Combining native Apple tools with trusted third-party apps provides an effective strategy for maintaining optimal iCloud storage health.

Understanding Your iCloud Storage Breakdown

When you use iCloud, your storage space is divided among different types of data and services. Knowing what is taking up space helps you manage your storage more effectively. This way, you can free up space or upgrade when needed. Whether you use iCloud for backups, photos, or app data, understanding the breakdown makes it easier to keep everything running smoothly.

How to Check Your iCloud Storage Breakdown

Open your device Settings. On iPhone or iPad, tap the gear icon to access Settings. On Mac, click the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
Tap or click your name at the top of Settings, then select iCloud. On some devices, you may need to choose Manage Storage or iCloud Storage.
Here, you’ll see a visual bar or list showing how much space each category is using. Typical sections include Photos, Backup, Documents & Data, Messages, and others.

Main Data Categories and Their Role

Photos & Videos: Your entire camera roll and videos stored in iCloud Photos take up a significant portion if you have many media files. Consider optimizing storage by enabling Optimize iPhone Storage.
Device Backups: Your iPhone, iPad, or other Apple device backups stored in iCloud include app data, settings, and more. Old backups can take unnecessary space.
Documents & Data: Files saved through iCloud Drive or associated with apps like Pages and Numbers are stored here. Regularly review and delete unnecessary files.
Messages: Text, photo, and video messages stored in iCloud can accumulate quickly, especially if you send large files or media.

Tips to Manage Your Storage

Regularly review your backups and delete old ones you no longer need.
Optimize your Photos Library by turning on Optimize iPhone Storage in Photos settings.
Delete large files stored in iCloud Drive or clear message attachments that are no longer relevant.
Upgrade your storage plan if you find yourself consistently running out of space despite cleaning efforts.

Additional Troubleshooting Tips

Issue	Possible Solution
iCloud storage is full but no large files are obvious	Review hidden backups, old email attachments, or unused apps storing data in iCloud.
Photos take up too much space even after enabling optimize storage	Make sure iCloud Photos is enabled and that your device is connected to Wi-Fi for optimization to work.
Unable to delete certain data from iCloud	Check if the data is shared or used by other apps, and delete accordingly. Sometimes, restart your device to refresh storage info.

By understanding what parts of your data occupy space in iCloud, you can better manage your storage and keep your device running smoothly. Always review your storage periodically and take action to free up space or upgrade your plan as needed.

Tips to Prevent iCloud Space Fill-Up Again

If you’ve experienced your iCloud storage filling up, it can be frustrating and may hinder your ability to back up new data. To avoid this problem in the future, it’s essential to use proactive strategies for ongoing storage management and space preservation. In this section, you’ll learn practical tips to keep your iCloud space available and prevent unexpected shortages.

Regularly Review Your iCloud Storage Usage

Start by checking what is occupying most of your storage space. On your iOS device, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then select iCloud, and tap Manage Storage. Here you will see a breakdown of apps and backups. Regular review helps you identify large files or backups you no longer need.

Optimize Photo and Video Storage

Photos and videos often take up the most space. Enable Optimize iPhone Storage in Settings > Photos. This feature stores full-resolution photos in iCloud and keeps smaller versions on your device, conserving local space. Consider regularly transferring media to a computer or external drive to free up iCloud space.

Automatically Delete Old Messages and Attachments

Messages and their attachments can quickly fill your storage. Set messages to delete after 30 days or 1 year in Settings > Messages > Keep Messages. Also, review large message attachments in Manage Storage and delete unnecessary files regularly.

Manage App Data and Backups

Some apps store a lot of data in iCloud. Review app backups in Manage Storage and turn off backup for apps that don’t need it. Delete old device backups if you have multiple devices or backups you no longer use. Be cautious to only delete backups that are outdated or unnecessary.

Use Additional Storage Options

If you find yourself consistently running out of space, consider increasing your iCloud storage plan. Apple offers plans starting at 50GB, 200GB, and 2TB. For large media libraries or frequent backups, upgrading can be a cost-effective way to avoid space issues.

Set Up Automatic Backup Management

Enable features that help manage backups automatically. For example, iCloud automatically backs up your device daily when connected to Wi-Fi and power. To ensure this works smoothly, keep your device updated and connected regularly.

Avoid Unnecessary Syncing

Not all data needs to sync to iCloud. Disable iCloud sync for apps or data that are not essential, like game data or app caches. This reduces clutter and frees up space for essential backups and documents.

Regularly Clean Up Your Files

Periodically go through your iCloud Drive and delete files or documents no longer needed. Use the Files app on your iOS device or iCloud.com on your computer for easier management. Keeping only relevant files saves space and keeps things organized.

By following these proactive steps, you can significantly reduce the chances of your iCloud storage filling up unexpectedly. Consistent management, smarter media handling, and plan upgrades when necessary help maintain smooth operation and ensure your important data stays backed up and accessible without interruption.