It’s common to see owners of Apple devices use them with Windows devices. An example would be iPhone users with Windows PCs as opposed to MacBooks. But things get a little tricky when it comes to transferring data between iPhone and Windows 10 computer.
You will only have to struggle once to set up iCloud service to sync data with your Windows PC. You can also add the iCloud folder to File Explorer. After doing that, you can easily save and sync your file between computer and your iPhone or iPad. Here’s how it works:
Add iCloud to File Explorer
To add iCloud to File Explorer, you need to download the app and enable the backup/sync functionality. Here’s how to find the latest version of iCloud for Windows and install it on your computer.
Stage 1: Launch Microsoft Store on Windows 10 PC.
Step 2: Search for iCloud in the search bar.
Stage 3: Select iCloud from the search results and click Get to download the app to your PC.
Step 4: After downloading, select Install from Microsoft Store to start the installation of the app.
Note: Your The PC may need to be restarted after the installation is complete.
Step 5: When your computer restarts, launch iCloud from the Windows Start menu.
Step 6: Sign in to your iCloud account with your Apple ID.
Step 7: In the new window, check the iCloud Drive box (you can also check other options for Photos, Mail, and Bookmarks to sync with your PC) and click Apply to pin it to File Explorer.
Now that iCloud is pinned to File Explorer on your Windows 10 PC, there are different ways to manage it.
Managing iCloud from File Explorer
After you pin iCloud Drive to File Explorer, files are synced across connected devices. Also, any files or folders added to iCloud for Windows are automatically uploaded to your drive. However, you must have an internet connection for this.
Here are a few things you can do:
Add Files to iCloud Drive in File Explorer
Now with iCloud Drive in File Explorer, users can save files directly to Drive or transfer files from other folders. Here’s how:
Stage 1: Select files to add to iCloud Drive from your PC.
Step 2: Drag and drop the files onto the pinned icon of iCloud Drive for Windows. Alternatively, you can copy and paste the files to iCloud Drive for Windows.
Moving Items from iCloud Drive to Other Folders in Windows
Users can also move items in iCloud Drive to other folders on PC.
Stage 1: Select iCloud Drive from File Explorer.
Step 2: Select the files you need to move.
Stage 3: If the Windows folder is pinned to File Explorer, you can drag and drop the selected files from iCloud Drive for Windows to the destination folder. If the Windows folder is not pinned, you can copy the selected files and paste them into the target folder.
Managing iCloud Storage from Windows 10
By default, iCloud users get 5GB of free storage. But if you’re hoping to use your iCloud on multiple devices, it may not be enough. You can choose to delete files/folders to free up space or expand your storage.
Like other online drives like Google Drive, iCloud has the option to expand its storage. However, this requires payment of a fee, which can be monthly or annual depending on the plan chosen. Here’s what you need to do:
Stage 1: Search for and launch iCloud from the Windows Start menu.
Step 2: Select Storage in the New iCloud Window.
Stage 3: From the new dialog, you can see the items that are consuming most of your storage. If you want to delete some items, you can visit iCloud Drive in File Explorer. Otherwise, select Change Storage Plan to view storage plan options.
Step 4: Select the plan you want from the list of options displayed and select Next.
Step 5: Enter your iCloud password and click Buy to complete your purchase.
Make the Most of iCloud Storage
That’s all it takes to add iCloud Drive to File Explorer in Windows 10. Once iCloud Drive is available on your PC, you can sync your files and folders across devices. If you want to cancel your iCloud subscription, you can also do so from iCloud Drive on your PC.