Every new iCloud user gets 5 gigabytes of free storage on signup, which is a decent space to store files, images, and other data. The fact is that this storage space applies to per user and not per device, which can be a storage constraint.
The possibilities are that other family members might be using the same iCloud account for storing data which can pose another challenge. Sooner or later, this storage limitation is going to collapse, and that demands searching for an alternative.
But wait, before you start exploring the web to find out the paid plans for additional storage, read this article to know the ways to optimize your iCloud storage.
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1. Don’t Backup Often
iCloud automatic backups can consume a significant space as they include system backups and individual app backups. Deleting redundant backups can help you make space on the iCloud drive.
Let’s first understand the method to delete system backups from the computer. On your Mac or MacBook, go to the System Preferences and then click iCloud. You will see the Manage icon on the bottom-right section of the screen. Click on it and then tap Backups to view the list of backups and delete older ones.
The procedure to delete individual app backups is more or less the same as that of system backups. The major difference is that you can delete these backups on iOS devices only. Navigate to Settings, tap on your name (which is your name), click on iCloud, select Manage Storage, and then click Backups. In the list that appears, select the backup that you need to delete and click Delete Backup.
2. Delete Older Messages
Even the plain text messages stored on your device can take up a lot of storage space, so it’s good to get rid of them. Most of the messages that you have saved for years must be containing pictures, emojis, videos, GIFs, and more, which only eats up storage doing nothing.
Since you have been storing these messages for a considerable time, deleting them can be painful. Probably, there’s no automatic way to delete these messages altogether; you need to delete them one by one, which adds to the frustration.
You may retain the messages that are treasures of your old memories while deleting the other ones. Go to the Messages app, tap on the conversation or message that you want to get rid of, and delete it from your device. Repeat the procedure for all the messages that you wish to remove.
3. Delete Files/Folders
You need to be extra careful while moving data to iCloud; the storage will start to saturate, leaving no space for important data. Your iCloud drive might include a ton of PDFs, PowerPoint presentations that your kids have created, music tracks, or GarageBand files that you do not require anymore.
Though iCloud can be a good backup source for copying data stored on the scratch drive, other storage, and other drives, junk files start accumulating over time. Make sure to remove all unnecessary files that you do not need and delete them for optimizing storage.
You may delete redundant files from iOS devices as well as the Mac or MacBook computer. If you wish to delete fewer files, you can do it on your iPhone. However, always use a Mac if you wish to delete a large number of files from the iCloud drive.
4. Shrink Your Photo Library
So, similar to other iPhone users, you too are capturing multiple shots of a single object or even your picture. But you never delete those not-so-good-looking photos from the device. This simple hack can allow access to a considerably huge storage space on the iCloud drive.
Deleting videos is significantly important as even a few seconds of the clip takes up a huge storage volume. Removing duplicate images and videos from all digital devices can help you store important data on iCloud.
Take note that the images and videos that you delete from the Photo gallery are not deleted; in fact, they move to the Recently Deleted album and consume the same amount of space, so you need to remove them altogether.
Also, turn off iCloud by navigating to Settings, clicking your name, and then selecting iCloud. Next, tap on Photos and toggle the button available with iCloud Photo Library towards the left to turn it Off.
These simple hacks not only allow to free up a significant volume of storage space in the iCloud drive but optimize it for better utilization. Try them out for the best iCloud storage management.
