iCloud is an important feature from Apple; it stores and backs up all your data across the multiple iOS devices. You can upload and securely store your photos, videos, and documents everywhere. However, at some point, your iCloud storage is full with data and you need to clear your iCloud storage on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Windows PC.
In this situation, either you can purchase more space on iCloud or you need to delete unimportant documents and photos/videos to create some space on iCloud. Apple offers up to 5GB of free space to every iCloud user; once this storage is filled completely, you won’t be able to upload new videos and photos on iCloud Photo Library. Moreover, you cannot update iCloud Drive and other iCloud apps on your iPhone or iPad.
As mentioned above, you can buy some space or create some space by clearing iCloud storage data on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Windows PC. Second option is more feasible as you wouldn’t like to spend your money unreasonably.
How to Manage iCloud Storage On iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Windows PC
Before you start managing iCloud Storage, you should check how much iCloud storage you have on your different devices.
On your iPhone and iPad:
Settings → iCloud → Storage (for devices running iOS 9 or later).
Settings → iCloud → Storage → Manage Storage (for iPhone and iPad enabled by iOS 8).
Settings → iCloud → Storage & Backup (for iOS devices running on versions earlier than iOS 8).
If you are using Mac, click Apple Menu → System Preferences → click on iCloud and then click on Manage.
On Windows computer, click on Start menu → All apps → click on iCloud and next, click iCloud once again from the iCloud app list.
The above steps help you check how much storage you have on your iCloud. Now, it is your discretion to remove or keep the documents and data.
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Select which iOS Apps you need to backup on iPhone or iPad
There are many apps that automatically get backed up to iCloud after installation. Here, you can make necessary changes as to which apps back up to iCloud and get rid of current backups from storage.
Step #1: Launch Settings app on iPhone/iPad.
Step #2: Tap on iCloud option.
Step #3: Next, tap Storage.
Step #4: Under the STORAGE section, tap Manage Storage.
Step #5: Now tap on the name of your iPhone or iPad.
Step #6: This will show you a list of apps under CHOOSE DATA TO BACK UP section.
Step #7: Tap on Show All Apps to make your selection process easier.
Step #8: You should now toggle off any app you don’t wish to back up. You will be prompted to Turn Off & Delete the app backups and delete the backup data from iCloud. Confirm your action and follow the same steps for other apps.
Also Read:- How to Transfer Files from iCloud Drive to Google Drive
How to Delete Backup and Turn Off Backup for iPhone or iPad or Mac or Windows PC
On your iOS devices (iPhone/iPad)
Step #1: Tap on Settings from Home screen of your iOS device.
Step #2: Tap on General.
Step #3: Storage & iCloud Usage.
Step #4: Tap Manage Storage from under iCloud section.
Step #5: Tap on the name of your iOS device.
Step #6: Now tap on Delete Backup and then Turn Off & Delete.
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On Mac
Step #1: Click Apple menu and then open System Preferences.
Step #2: Click on iCloud → Manage and then choose Backups.
You need to choose one of the device backups and then hit Delete. If you want to get rid of all backups by turning off Backup for that particular device from iCloud, you can select Delete when you are prompted to confirm. Note that when you erase a backup, it also turns off backup of your device.
On Windows PC
Step #1: Click Start menu → All apps → iCloud → iCloud again and then click Storage.
Step #2: Select the backups from the list of apps.
Now choose any one device backup and click Delete.
If you wish to switch off Backup and get rid of all backups for a particular device from iCloud, select Delete when you are prompted to confirm you action. Note that when you erase a backup, it also turns off backup of your device.
Shrink the Size of iCloud Photo Library
iCloud Photo Library relies on iCloud storage to save all your photos and videos on all connected iOS devices of yours. You can create more space in iCloud when you erase photos and videos that you don’t require on any of your iOS devices.
You can also select to save space on iPhone or iPad when you toggle on Optimize device Storage in Settings. This will automatically create some space on Photos app; at the same time, all your original and full resolutions photos and videos are secured in iCloud. You can download these photos or videos at any time.
While you are deleting your photos and videos, you should know that you can recover deleted photos from Recently Deleted album within 30 days. You can empty the Recently Deleted album by opening the Recently Deleted folder and then select all photos. If you want to delete all, tap on Delete All button from the bottom right corner. You can also delete photos one by one.
In case, your iCloud storage limited is exceeded, your iPhone or iPad will automatically delete any photos and videos you have deleted and they won’t be recovered in Recently Deleted photo album.
How to Delete Photos and Videos from iCloud Photo Library
On iPhone/iPad
Step #1: Launch Photos app and tap on Photos from the bottom left corner of phone screen.
Step #2: Tap Select.
Step #3: Next, select the photos you want to delete and then tap on trash can icon from the bottom right corner.
On Your Mac
Step #1: Launch Photos app and select the photos you want to remove.
Step #2: Pick the image and then click Delete Photos.
On iCloud.com
Step #1: Open www.icloud.com on your computer and enter your Apple ID & password to log in.
Step #2: Click on Photos icon and then click Select Photos.
Step #3: Now select the photos you want to remove and hit the Delete button.
A message will flash in a dialog box: These items will be deleted from iCloud Photo Library on all your devices.
Step #4: Click Delete to confirm your action.
Shrink the Size of Photo Library on iPhone/iPad
When your iCloud Photo Library is not enabled on iPhone or iPad, Camera Roll will be a part of iCloud backup.
Step #1: First off, check the size of backup on your iPhone/iPad: Settings → iCloud → Storage → Manage Storage.
Step #2: Tap on the name of your iPhone/iPad.
Delete the photos you wouldn’t like to save in future. For this, launch Photos app and choose the pics you want to remove. Next, tap the Delete (trash can icon) button; an option will swipe up asking for your confirmation. Tap on Delete and the selected photos will be removed.
iCloud Drive
iCloud Drive management is a cake walk.
On your iPhone and iPad
Step #1: Launch Settings.
Step #2: Tap on iCloud.
Step #3: Next,Tap on Storage.
Step #4: Now tap on Manage Storage.
Step #5: Under DOCUMENTS and DATA, tap on the app you want to remove storage of.
Step #6: Simply tap on Edit from the top right corner.
Step #7: Press on Delete All.
An option will swipe up from the bottom asking you to confirm your action. On this, press Delete and the file will be immediately deleted from iCloud and all of your devices.
On Mac
Step #1: Fire up Apple menu → System Preferences → iCloud.
Step #2: Enter your Apple ID and password to sign in.
Step #3: Turn iCloud Drive on.
Step #4: Select the apps or folders of the files you want to manage.
Step #5: Launch Folder and then iCloud Drive folder.
Next, move a file to trash can with a mouse or track pad; you can send the file or item to any other folder on your Mac.
On your Windows computer
If you have got a computer running on Windows 7 or later version, you can easily manage iCloud Drive data. You can add an iCloud Drive folder to your Windows computer by following below mentioned steps:
Step #1: First, download and install iCloud for Windows.
Step #2: Enter your Apple ID/password and sign in.
Step #3: And now turn iCloud Drive on.
On iCloud.com
Step #1: Open www.icloud.com on your computer browser.
Step #2: Type in your Apple ID and password to sign in.
Step #3: From the Launchpad, click on iCloud Drive.
Now you can select the file from folders to delete the data.
Also Check:- How to Transfer iCloud Calendar to Android Smartphones
How to Delete Emails from iCloud Email Account from iPhone, iPad, Mac and Windows
If you have configured an iCloud email account (for example, example@icloud.com), you can create some space by deleting unwanted emails.
On iPhone/iPad
Have you set up an iCloud email on iPhone or iPad? You can delete many useless emails from your account.
Step #1: Open Mail app from the home screen of iPhone or iPad.
Step #2: Go to the Mailboxes screen.
Step #3: Scroll down and tap on Inbox under ICLOUD section.
Step #4: Now swipe from right to left on any email.
You will see three options viz. More, Flag and Trash. Tap on Trash and the mail will be removed from Inbox. You can delete multiple mails by tapping on Edit button on top right corner. Then select the mails you want to delete and press Trash button from the bottom right corner.
On Mac or Windows Computer
You can delete mails in iCloud mail account from your Mac or Windows computer (Microsoft Outlook).
Mails on Mac: First, delete unnecessary emails and then select Mailbox → Erase Deleted Items and choose your iCloud email account.
Microsoft Outlook 2007 Version (Windows): Delete the unwanted emails and select Edit → Purge and then choose Apple ID from the menu.
Microsoft Outlook from 2010 to 2016 (Windows): Erase the useless messages and Outlook will discard your messages forever when you close and restart the app next time.
On iCloud.com
Open iCloud.com on your computer’s browser and click on Mail’s square from Launchpad. Click on a mail and hit the trash can icon to delete the mail. To delete multiple mails, press the Ctrl button on keyboard and select mails to delete. Finally, don’t forget to Empty Trash by clicking on Settings (Gear) icon from the bottom right corner.
This is the complete guide on how to fix iCloud storage full error by clearing data from iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Windows. If you have any suggestion or feedback, share with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus.
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