How to Get More iCloud Storage for Free: Tips, Tricks and Alternatives

Introduction

As Apple users, we enjoy many benefits of the iCloud service, but as the number of photos, videos, documents and other files that we save on our devices grows, so does the storage space required. Before we know it, we can run out of iCloud storage, causing frustration and potential data loss. The good news is that there are solutions, both within and outside of iCloud, that can help us get more storage for free. In this article, we will explore the different strategies and offer detailed tips and resources to make your iCloud storage go further.

Optimizing iCloud Storage

The first strategy to get more iCloud storage for free is to make sure that we are using our current space as efficiently as possible. Here are some tips for optimizing your iCloud storage:

Delete Old Backups and Files

Whether it is a device backup or an old file that you don’t need anymore, deleting unused content is an essential step to free up space. To delete a device backup, go to Settings > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups. Here, you can select a specific device backup and delete it.

Deleting old files can be trickier, as they can be scattered in different folders. One easy way to do it is to use the Files app on your iOS device and iCloud Drive on your Mac or PC. Sort your files by size and delete the largest ones that you don’t use anymore. Alternatively, you can use third-party tools, such as CleanMyMac or CCleaner, to find and delete large files.

Optimize iCloud Photo Library

The iCloud Photo Library is one of the most significant contributors to our iCloud storage usage. To reduce its impact, we can use the iCloud Photo Library Optimization feature on our devices, which will store the full-resolution photos in iCloud and only keep smaller, optimized versions on our device. To enable it, go to Settings > Photos, scroll down and turn on “Optimize iPhone/iPad Storage”.

If you prefer to manually delete photos, you can use the Photos app on your device or computer to select and delete photos that you don’t need anymore. Be sure to check your Recently Deleted folder within the Photos app, as deleting photos there will free up space on your iCloud storage.

Turn Off Certain iCloud Features or Reduce Their Storage Usage

There are many iCloud features that we may not be using actively, but still consume our iCloud storage space. For example, the Mail drop feature in iCloud Mail can store large email attachments in iCloud, taking up space that we might need for other files. To turn it off, go to iCloud.com, sign in, and go to Mail. Click the Composing tab, and uncheck the “Use Mail Drop when sending large attachments” box.

Similarly, we can go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Manage Storage and review the list of apps and features that use iCloud storage. Here, we can choose to turn off specific features, such as iCloud Drive for individual apps, or delete large files or messages in our iCloud Mail.

Comparing Alternative Cloud Storage Providers

If you find that iCloud is not meeting your storage needs, there are many other cloud storage providers available. Here are some of the most popular options:

Google Drive

Google Drive is a cloud storage service provided by Google, which offers 15 GB of free storage. It is easy to use and integrates with many Google services, such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Users can upload and access files from any device or computer with internet access.

Dropbox

Dropbox is a cloud storage provider that offers 2 GB of free storage, with options to upgrade to a paid plan for more storage. It is known for its user-friendly interface and easy collaboration features, such as shared folders and file requests. Dropbox also integrates with many third-party apps.

OneDrive

OneDrive is a cloud storage service provided by Microsoft, which offers 5 GB of free storage. It integrates with Microsoft Office and Windows devices and offers collaborative features such as shared folders, access controls, and version history. Paid plans are available with more storage and additional features.

Pros and Cons of Using Third-Party Cloud Storage Providers

While using a third-party cloud storage provider can be a good option if you need more space than iCloud offers, there are some pros and cons to consider. One of the main advantages of using such services is that they often offer more storage space for free or at a lower cost than iCloud. They also support cross-device storage, which makes it easy to share files between iOS and non-iOS devices. However, third-party providers may have different privacy policies, security measures, and user experiences than iCloud. It is important to research and compare different providers before making a decision.

User Stories: Getting More iCloud Storage for Free

One of the best ways to learn about getting more iCloud storage for free is by hearing from real users that have found creative ways to manage their space. Here are some tips and tricks shared by the Apple community:

“I use Google Photos to back up all my photos. It offers unlimited photo storage for free as long as you choose a ‘High Quality’ tier, which is sufficient for most needs.” – Mia, iPhone user
“I turned off the iCloud Photo Library on all my devices except the one that I use to manage my photos. This way, I don’t have duplicates or multiple copies of the same photo, and the storage is centralized in one place.” – Robert, iPad user
“I use a file compression tool called WinZip to shrink the size of the files that I upload to iCloud Drive. This way, I can fit more files within the same storage space without compromising quality or content.” – Alex, Mac user

Lesser-Known iCloud Features

In addition to the well-known features of iCloud, there are some lesser-known ones that can help you get more storage space. Here are two examples:

iCloud Drive’s Optimize Mac Storage Option

If you are using a Mac with a small local drive, you can enable the “Optimize Mac Storage” option in iCloud Drive. This feature will automatically store older files in iCloud, freeing up space on your local drive. To turn it on, go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Drive Options and select “Optimize Mac Storage”.

iCloud Mail’s Large Attachment Storage

If you often receive large email attachments that take up too much space, you can take advantage of iCloud Mail’s ability to store them in the cloud. When you receive an email with a large attachment, iCloud Mail will upload it to iCloud and replace the attachment with a “Download attachment” link. This way, you can still access the attachment when you need it, but it won’t take up any space on your device. To enable the feature, go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Mail and select “Mail”.

Step-by-Step Guide: Getting More iCloud Storage Space for Free

Now that we have explored all the different strategies and tips, let’s put them together into a step-by-step guide for getting more iCloud storage space for free:

Delete old backups and unused files from your iCloud storage.
Optimize your iCloud Photo Library by turning on iCloud Photo Library Optimization or manually deleting photos from your iPhone or iPad.
Turn off certain iCloud features or reduce their storage usage, such as Mail Drop, iCloud Drive, and Messages.
If none of these strategies work, consider using a third-party cloud storage provider, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
Don’t forget to take advantage of lesser-known iCloud features, such as Optimize Mac Storage and Large Attachment Storage.

Conclusion

We hope that this article has provided helpful insights and resources for getting more iCloud storage for free. By optimizing our existing storage space, comparing alternative providers, learning from user stories, and using lesser-known features, we can make the most of what we have. Remember to always research and compare different options, and don’t hesitate to share your own tips and advice in the comments below.