Running out of iCloud storage space and don't want to increase your plan? Here's how to clear out old, unused documents in the cloud and free up space!
Documents in the Cloud let you store your files on iCloud so you can access them from any iPhone, iPad, or Mac. It's incredibly convenient... unless and until you start running out of space! Apple only provides 5 GB for free and 1 TB maximum, and while higher capacities are cheaper than ever, if you don't want to pay more, you're going to have to clean some stuff out.
The truth is, we all collect some old, outdated, no-longer necessary files over time, but the good news is deleting them easy, and can really help free up your iCloud space.
How to delete Documents in the Cloud from iCloud
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Scroll down and tap on iCloud.
- Choose Storage & Backup.
Tap on Manage Storage.
- Tap on the app you want to manage.
- Swipe from right left to reveal the red Delete button on any item. (Or tap Edit at the top right to make multiple selection).
Tap to confirm.
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Reader comments
How to free up iCloud storage space by deleting unnecessary Documents in the Cloud
Cool!
Are the apps themselves stored in the cloud also.?
The apps are stored under your iTunes account but do not count towards your iCloud storage limit (both in terms of storage and in terms of iCloud backups).
I've found I have to delete the iCloud backup every now and then bc it gets bloated. Let's say a year or so goes by and you have/had a bunch of pictures & videos on your phone, those have been sent up to iCloud Backup, your 5Gb is full, you delete the pictures or app data, but the available storage ISN'T changing. First step, get any remaining photos and videos off the phones: transfer to your PC, then delete them from the phone. if you have a mac you can use Image Capture to view and delete any or all pictures from your device. Then do a manual backup to iTunes. Now go back to the device and turn OFF iCloud backup, this will purge the backup data for that device and let you start fresh. Once it's finished, turn iCloud backup back on, and let it do its thing. The new back up will take a while since it's a fresh backup.
Has anyone encountered any reasons NOT to purge like this? To my experience, iCloud Backup is not like Time Machine, as in, there are NOT different shapshots that you can choose to revert to. I've only ever seen the one.
This rarely happens to me, maybe 2 times since iCloud was introduced. I don't go through the iTunes backup process though. I just delete the old iCloud backup then turn it back on and backup again at that moment.
I've only had to do it 2 times, also, I think. I've also tried to be more proactive with photo management.
You have a little more faith in the procedure not failing than I do I guess!
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How do u make an imessage account without qoinq on the computer
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I can follow everything until I get into "Manage Storage". I do not see a list of apps nor do I even see the words "Documents & Data". I see my two devices - iPad and iPhone - as well as Mail, then the option to change my storage plan. I have even tried going into one of my devices and I still do not see "Documents & Data" - I see toggle switches for apps I want to back-up. Can you please help? I would really like to delete some documents and data. Thank you!
Comment on the icloud storage. I went to manage storage and started deleting the backup and then at the end deleted all. I actually deleted 4GB's. My photos are there.
I deleted the imore app and freed up several hundred mg's then did a reinstall.
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5GB? I believe apple should give us whatever phone size we have as storage. That's is the best. I have now a nextbit and I have 100GB storage. For free and the phone is 300$
What I don't get is that I'm showing 4.2 gigs left of my free 5 gigs. Yet I'm always getting the low on storage warning on my iPhone and iPad Mini 4.. What's up with that?
The gradual accumulation of Mail in iCloud is your actual problem, nothing to do with your devices. 5GB was fair when it was introduced, but if you're using iCloud for you mail in the intervening YEARS, you will have accumulated a lot in your iCloud mail - Mac, iDevices, they all use iCloud for Mail. Backups (even without photos) can still be 'bloated' by images accumulated in Messages and attachments in Mail on or off your devices. Sure you can delete them and then you don't have them with you. As device memory increases, so should the free iCloud allocation. Everyone is having iCloud problems NOW because of accumulated mail filed away in their iCloud and Apple's refusal to increase the free allocation required if you actually use the service.
Why i can find the "delete" option on my iPhone? i use iPhone 5s ios 9