Top 8 iCloud Tips and Tricks to Use Like a Pro

Apple iCloud is a pretty neat cloud storage platform that integrates deeply with the Apple ecosystem. iCloud is used to take backups of your iPhone, iPad and Mac data, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. Here are some iCloud tips and tricks to get even more out of this service.

Note that iCloud is different from iCloud Drive, which works like Google Drive. iCloud backs up all kinds of data on your iPhone like photos, notes, calendar, contacts and more. It saves lives when you lose your device or buy a new one. Restoring everything to a brand new iPhone has always been easy, thanks to iCloud.

Let’s start.

1. How to Access iCloud

You can access iCloud on the web by visiting the official site by clicking the link below. Sign in with your Apple ID and enter the 2FA code if you have it enabled.

You can also access iCloud from your iPhone. Open Settings, tap your profile picture and select iCloud.

You can manage iCloud storage, enable/disable services that back up to iCloud, and more here.

Apple offers iCloud apps for Windows and macOS.

visit iCloud

2. Save Backup to iCloud

Open Settings and go to iCloud as you did in the previous step. Scroll to the bottom of the screen to select iCloud Backup.

Make sure the iCloud Backup service is enabled. While it will make periodic backups, you can make a backup right away by tapping the Back Up Now button. You can also view when the last backup was made below.

On the previous screen, you can manage or enable/disable all the apps and services you want to back up to iCloud. Apple offers 5GB of free storage to all users.

3. How to Use

iCloud is an app as well as a service. Therefore, you can use it like any other app. Start by creating an account or using your existing Apple ID, download and install the app on your laptop, sign in and start setting up.

4. Deleting Photos from iCloud

There are multiple ways to delete photos from iCloud. The process has been simplified because Apple ships with a Photos app that syncs seamlessly with iCloud backup.

5. How to Delete Backups on iCloud

Open Settings and go back to iCloud option under Apple ID. Tap Manage Storage just below the storage bar graph. Here you can click on Backups or individual apps. What is the diffrence?

Tapping the first option will allow you to delete device backups from iCloud. If family sharing is turned on, they can be device backups for you or a family member.

Tapping the app will allow you to delete the backup of that particular app by itself.

If you have multiple devices associated with the same Apple ID, you will see a list of all devices under Backups.

6. How to Clear Space on iCloud

There are two ways to solve space problems. One of them is to clear data stored in iCloud by various apps. This includes photos, voice memos, files, backups, notes and more. You’ll clear up the most space by deleting old device backups and media files you no longer need, such as photos, videos, and voice memos. They consume the most space.

Note: Emptying unused iOS apps saves that app’s documents and settings to iCloud. So, if you remove these items, the app will appear as new every time you redownload it to your iPhone or iPad.

7. How to Access iCloud Photos

Make sure iCloud Photos is enabled under Settings > Profile Picture > iCloud > Photos.

You can now view all your photos in the Photos app. Nothing changes on that front except for one setting. When you enable iCloud Photos, you can choose to optimize and save iPhone storage. Doing so saves full resolution photos/videos to iCloud while the optimized versions are on the device. This only happens when you’re running low on storage.

You can also access the same photos on iCloud and on other Apple devices using the same Apple ID.

8. How to Share an Album on iCloud

Make sure Shared Albums is enabled under Settings > Profile Picture > iCloud > Photos. You will only see this option when iCloud Photos is enabled on the same screen.

Open the Photos app, tap Albums and select the + icon. Select New Shared Album from the drop-down menu.

You will now give it a new name and then send email invitations to everyone you want to be part of this newly shared album/folder.

Tap on Create to finish. You and anyone you invite to the shared album can now add photos to the album. All photos will sync across all shared devices.

in Cloud 9

iCloud is pretty good but relies on Google servers to provide sync services to its customers. It’s an interesting fact to see how Apple likes to build and develop in-house. It’s a pretty solid cloud storage service though, and these iCloud tips and tricks will only help you be more productive.

Next: iCloud and OneDrive cloud storage options can be confusing at times. Read our iCloud vs OneDrive comparison to determine which is the better storage option for your iPhone or iPad.