To clear iCloud storage, you can follow these steps:
Manage and Delete Files in iCloud Drive
- On iPhone or iPad: Use the Files app, go to iCloud Drive, select files or folders, and delete them. Deleted items stay in Recently Deleted for 30 days before permanent removal.
- On Mac: Open Finder, go to iCloud Drive folder, drag unwanted items to Trash, then empty Trash.
- On Windows PC: Use iCloud for Windows, open iCloud Drive folder in Windows Explorer, select and delete files.
- On iCloud.com: Sign in, go to iCloud Drive, select files, and delete them. Remember to empty Recently Deleted to free space
Delete Old iCloud Backups
- On your device, go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups.
- Review and delete backups of old or unused devices to free up space.
- Extract important data from backups before deleting if necessary using tools like CopyTrans Backup Extractor
Manage Photos and Videos
- Photos synced with iCloud Photo Library take up space. Delete unwanted or duplicate photos and videos from your Photos app to reduce storage usage.
- Remember to empty the Recently Deleted album in Photos to permanently remove files and free space
Turn Off Backup for Unnecessary Apps
- Go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Manage Storage.
- Review apps backing up data to iCloud and toggle off those you don’t want to back up, reducing storage use
Empty All Trash and Recently Deleted Folders
- Files and photos in Trash or Recently Deleted still occupy iCloud space.
- Empty Trash in Mail app and Recently Deleted in Photos on all devices to permanently free storage
Use Cleaning Tools (Optional)
- Apps like CleanMyMac or CleanMyPhone can help identify and delete junk files, duplicates, and large files to optimize iCloud storage
By regularly deleting unneeded files, managing backups, and emptying trash folders, you can effectively clear and maintain your iCloud storage space
