How To Free Up Icloud Storage By Managing And Deleting Unneeded Data

Apple's iCloud service provides essential storage for photos, documents, backups, and more, but the free 5GB limit can fill up quickly, especially for users who rely on cloud-based backups and media storage. When iCloud storage is full, it can hinder device performance, prevent app updates, and even block email functionality. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to clear up space without losing essential data. This guide outlines practical steps for deleting and managing iCloud content, including messages, photos, files, backups, and app data, based on the latest guidance from Apple and other verified resources.

Understanding iCloud Storage Usage

Before taking steps to free up space, it's helpful to understand what is consuming the most storage. iCloud stores a variety of content, including:

• Photos and videos in the Photos app
• Files and documents in iCloud Drive
• Messages and attachments from the Messages app
• Device backups for iOS devices
• App data for supported applications

Reviewing the storage breakdown can help users identify the largest contributors and prioritize which items to delete or archive.

To view storage usage on an iPhone or iPad:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap your Apple ID.
3. Select iCloud.
4. Tap Manage Storage or Storage.
5. Review the categories under Storage Used By to see which items consume the most space.

Deleting Messages and Attachments

Text messages and their associated media files can take up significant space in iCloud, particularly if conversations include photos, videos, or large attachments. The following steps outline how to delete messages to free up storage:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap your Apple ID, then select iCloud.
3. Tap Messages.
4. Choose either Disable & Delete to remove all messages from iCloud or Top Conversations to view and delete specific messages.
5. In the Top Conversations section, tap Edit, select the messages or conversations to delete, and choose Delete.

If messages are deleted without disabling the feature, they remain in iCloud until the 30-day retention period expires. After that, they are permanently removed.

Managing Photos and Videos

Photos and videos are often the largest contributors to iCloud storage consumption. The following steps can help users delete or archive unnecessary media:

1. Open the Photos app.
2. Navigate to the iCloud Photos section.
3. Select the photos or videos to delete.
4. Tap Delete to move them to the Recently Deleted album.
5. Open the Recently Deleted album and select Delete again to remove them permanently.

Users can also delete entire folders or albums by selecting multiple items at once.

For large collections of media, it may be helpful to identify and delete duplicates or low-quality photos. This can be done manually or by using Apple’s Duplicate Photos feature in the Photos app.

Clearing Files and Documents from iCloud Drive

iCloud Drive is a convenient way to store and access documents, spreadsheets, and other files across devices. However, it can accumulate obsolete or redundant files over time. To delete files:

1. Open a web browser and navigate to iCloud.com.
2. Log in with your Apple ID.
3. Click on iCloud Drive.
4. Select the files or folders to delete.
5. Click the Delete icon or press the Delete key on your keyboard.

Deleted files will move to the Recently Deleted section in iCloud Drive, where they remain for 30 days before being permanently removed.

Alternatively, users can delete files directly from their iPhone or iPad:

1. Open the Files app.
2. Tap Browse at the bottom.
3. Choose iCloud Drive from the Locations tab.
4. Select the files to delete.
5. Tap Delete at the bottom of the screen.

Managing iCloud Backups

Backups are essential for restoring data in case of device loss or damage, but they can also consume significant storage space. To manage and delete backups:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap your Apple ID, then select iCloud.
3. Tap Storage or Manage Account Storage.
4. Select Backups.
5. Choose the device with the backup to review.
6. To delete a backup, tap Turn Off and Delete.

Older backups remain in iCloud for 180 days after they are deleted or after a device is no longer in use. Users should ensure that backups are no longer needed before deleting them, as they cannot be recovered after the 180-day period.

Users can also reduce backup size by:

• Disabling backups for apps that are no longer used.
• Deleting large files stored in apps that back up to iCloud.
• Turning off automatic backups for non-essential data.

Removing App Data from iCloud

Some apps automatically back up data to iCloud, which can contribute to storage usage. To turn off backups for specific apps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap your Apple ID, then select iCloud.
3. Tap Storage or Manage Account Storage.
4. Select Backups.
5. Choose the device with the backup to review.
6. Toggle off backups for any apps that are no longer in use.

When a backup is turned off, all of its data is removed from iCloud. This action cannot be undone, so users should ensure that they no longer need the data before proceeding.

Using Recommended for You

For users with iOS 17 or later, Apple has introduced a Recommended for You section in iCloud settings. This feature suggests items that can be deleted to free up space, such as duplicate photos, large files, and old backups.

To access this feature:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap your Apple ID, then select iCloud.
3. Tap Recommended for You.
4. Review the suggested items and follow on-screen instructions to delete them.

This feature simplifies the process of identifying and removing unnecessary content, making it a helpful tool for users who are not sure where to start.

Moving Data to Other Storage Solutions

If users cannot afford to delete certain files but still need to free up space in iCloud, they can consider moving them to other cloud storage services or local devices. Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive offer free storage options and can serve as alternatives to iCloud for document and media storage.

To move files from iCloud to another service:

1. Open the Files app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Select the files or folders to move.
3. Tap Copy or Move.
4. Choose the destination folder or cloud service.
5. Confirm the transfer.

Users should also consider backing up important media to physical storage devices or external hard drives as an additional precaution.

Conclusion

Managing iCloud storage requires a proactive approach, especially for users who rely on cloud-based backups and media storage. By identifying and deleting unneeded content—such as messages, photos, files, and backups—users can free up valuable space and ensure that their iCloud accounts remain functional. Whether using built-in tools like Recommended for You, manually reviewing storage usage, or moving files to other services, there are multiple options available to help users maintain an efficient and well-organized iCloud environment.

Sources

1. Solved: iCloud Storage Full
2. How to Delete Stuff from iCloud
3. How to Clear iCloud Storage
4. iCloud Storage: Manage Your Storage
5. How to Clear iCloud Storage