iCloud is a cloud storage service similar to Google Drive and Dropbox. The amazing thing about iCloud is it can be synced across all Apple devices. So, what you have in one device will also be available in another device where it is enabled. So, how to use iCloud storage?
Actually, it’s very easy! iCloud storage gives you the ability to manage your files across devices. As such, it’s a handy tool you can take advantage of.
Here, we will discuss the usage of iCloud storage. We will talk about the actual steps you need to know to use the platform on iPhones, Macs, and iPads. By the end of this article, you have finished a comprehensive guide on iCloud storage and you will be confident in using the platform.
Part #1: What Is iCloud Drive?Part #2: How to Use iCloud Storage EasilyPart #3: The Best Way to Optimize Your macOS ComputersConclusion
Part #1: What Is iCloud Drive?
Before jumping into how to use iCloud storage, we learn some background. iCloud Drive allows users to store different types of files such as documents within the cloud storage platform. Through iCloud Drive, you have the ability to access and sync files from all computers, iOS devices, and even iPadOS devices.
You also have the ability to include all files in your Documents and Desktop folders (on macOS computers) in your iCloud Drive. Once these are synced on your iCloud Drive, you can access them through iOS, iPadOS, and other macOS computers.
iCloud Drive can be utilized within macOS computers that have the operating system OS X 10.10 or more updated versions. It can be used on iPadOS devices and also iOS devices with version iOS 8 or more updated.
You can even use iCloud Drive on Windows computers with the operating system Windows 7 or later versions. Of course, you must be using one Apple ID across devices, so your files will sync among different computers and mobile gadgets. iCloud Drive can be accessed using the web using iCloud.com through your browser.
How to Set iCloud Drive Up
You can set up the iCloud Drive platform on your computer through the following steps below:
- Open your macOS computer and click the Apple Logo (which is the Apple Menu).
- After that, choose System Settings and then press [YOUR NAME] located at the upper portion of its sidebar. If [YOUR NAME] isn’t available, you must press the Sign In button to input your Apple ID And its corresponding password (or you can create a new Apple ID too).
- Then, within the right panel, click iCloud.
- Then, click iCloud Drive. After that, press Turn On.
- Once you are finished, click the Done button.
It is important to note that once iCloud Drive is activated, the documents you’ve placed into storage within iCloud will be available on other devices that “meet the minimum system requirements”. In addition, these gadgets should have iCloud Drive activated. These documents you have can also be viewed through the web at iCloud.com.
How to Store Documents And Desktop Folders within iCloud Drive
Here are the steps on how to use iCloud storage to store your Documents and Desktop folder:
- Open your macOS computer and click the Apple menu (the Apple Logo).
- After that, press System Settings.
- Click the option for [YOUR NAME] or log into your Apple ID (or create one) if [YOUR NAME] isn’t available.
- Within the interface’s right side, click iCloud. Then, choose the option for iCloud Drive.
- After that, press the Options button. If the Options button can’t be seen, you have to turn on the iCloud Drive first.
- After that, choose the option for “Desktop & Documents Folders”.
- Finally, press Done.
What If I Cannot Save Documents within iCloud Drive?
If you don’t have the ability to save the new documents you have in iCloud Drive, there’s a possibility that your account lacks storage space in it and must be full. Why is the iCloud storage get completely filled up? Because the document will not be deleted and will stay on your macOS computer. In addition, it will be synced to iCloud Drive if more space is available within the platform.
The iCloud Drive platform will share the amount of storage that is made available to iCloud Photos, iCloud Mail attachments and messages, iOS devices backups, iPadOS devices backups, and more. There are things you can do to have more space within your system. See the following below:
- You can purchase more storage from iCloud. To do that, you can go to Manage iCloud Storage.
- You can also remove the things and files you don’t need within iCloud Drive.
- You can locate duplicate files and photos and delete them manually.
Part #2: How to Use iCloud Storage Easily
To activate iCloud Photos, follow the steps below:
- Visit the Photos app on your device.
- After that, click Photos and then choose Preferences.
- Once you are in that section, click iCloud.
- After that, check the box that says “iCloud Photos” and then choose the option for Optimize Mac Storage.
It is important to note that if iCloud Photos is activated already, the macOS computer will save the thumbnails of your videos and images. However, if this is the first time you’re activating iCloud Photos, the Photos application will upload all images that are stored locally on your device.
Once these are copied within iCloud, the Photos app has different options on what it can implement. It can just display thumbnails and delete local versions while the files are saved in iCloud.
How to Optimize iCloud Drive Storage
A level beyond how to use iCloud storage. How to optimize? One thing you can do to optimize the storage of your iCloud Drive is to view the preference pane of your iCloud interface in macOS Catalina. If you have macOS Mojave or less recent versions, you can view this as the iCloud’s preference pane. After that, you have to make sure that Optimized Mac Storage is enabled.
If Optimized Mac Storage is activated, the macOS computer will remove the files that are least accessed from your local drive. These will be placed within your iCloud Drive storage platform, especially when there’s not enough space on your computer or device.
However, a thumbnail or “shadow” will be made available on your device’s desktop. In this way, you can still see the file and then search for it if you need it. If you want to launch this file or data, the macOS computer will retrieve the file from your iCloud Drive account ensuring that you have access to it.
What’s iCloud Music Library?
If you are subscribed to iTunes Match or Apple Music, you can use the feature called iCloud Music Library. This enables users to sync their music files on their macOS computers to the iCloud storage platform.
The amazing thing about it is the music files aren’t counted against your given (or purchased) iCloud storage. These songs may include files you have downloaded locally, the music you have ripped from your CDs, records you have made, purchases you have done from Bandcamp, and other iTunes Store files that are DRM-free.
It is important to note that iTunes Match and Apple Music will replace songs that have a match. It will be replaced with an AAC file that has a bit rate of 256Kbps. This may not be the best option for some. In addition, sometimes, the matches aren’t always identical.
Part #3: The Best Way to Optimize Your macOS Computers
How to use iCloud storage properly, is related to the performance of your macOS. The best way you can optimize your macOS computers to free up storage space is through TechyCub Mac Cleaner. You can optimize and purge your Mac with the aid of this tool. You can implement a few, easy clicks to speed up your MacBook or iMac and free up storage space on your Mac.
Mac Cleaner
Scan your Mac quickly and clean junk files easily.
Check the primary status of your Mac including the disk usage, CPU status, memory usage, etc.
Speed up your Mac with simple clicks.
Free Download
By eliminating system clutter, detecting and removing unnecessary objects like backups, huge and old files, locating duplicate files, and uninstalling programs, the tool allows you to save a respectable amount of disk space.
Protection is pre-installed within this tool. Only files that may be safely deleted will be chosen. However, TechyCub Mac Cleaner even makes your Mac faster. It gives your Mac a boost by removing the old garbage files.
The procedures for using TechyCub Mac Cleaner are as follows:
- Use this package to install the program on your Mac after downloading the installer from the tool's official website. Launch TechyCub Mac Cleaner once the application has been installed on your machine.
- You may utilize a number of the modules on the left side to clean up and improve the performance of your macOS system. We'll choose Junk Cleaner as our informational subject.
- Press the SCAN button after that. You may find and delete any superfluous system files with the software. Choose the files or data you want to remove. You may also choose all of the useless data from the list that appears by clicking Select All. After that, choose CLEAN from the interface.
- Until the app says "Cleanup Completed", your macOS machine is not totally cleaned.
There are several optimization tools available that may help you keep your macOS machine running at its peak performance and extend its life. TechyCub Mac Cleaner is one of the greatest programs for optimization and cleanup.
People Also Read 6 Ways to Fix “iMovie Not Enough Disk Space” Error [2023] Effective Guide on How to Speed up iMovie 2023
Conclusion
How to use iCloud storage? There are plenty of options. But the best is to optimize and clean up your Mac with the aid of TechyCub Mac Cleaner. Customers are given the option to make quick clicks to speed up their MacBook and free up some storage space. Grab the tool today!
