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Where is the cloud on the iPhone? What is iCloud and how to use it. What is the Apple iCloud cloud service and how to use it? ipad local storage

A year and a half ago, Apple launched for its users one of its most powerful "apple" services - iCloud online storage. Recently, the storage service has received the status of "broken" in circles of owners of i-devices. Many began to reproach iCloud for finding flaws. Every iCloud user with their own Apple ID gets 5 free gigabytes to back up apps and other iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch settings. Among the main key features of the online service is the synchronization of photos, documents, email from your Mac and mobile devices. By developing and implementing the service in the circle of "apple lovers", the idea pursued by the engineers of sunny California was the ability to access all your data, no matter what device you use. For many, this storage and interaction with it may seem confusing, however, like any other product, you need to get the most out of it. Here are some tips for you to get the most out of your Apple cloud service.

  • Two-stage verification system

The first thing you should do is create a two-step verification system that adds an extra layer of security to your cloud account. Using appleid.apple.com, sign in to your account with the email address and password you use to download apps. Next, in the lower left corner, visit Password & Security. The first option involves a two-step verification, so click "Get Started". You'll have to wait about three days before the two-step verification starts working, but it's worth it.

  • Activate iCloud on Mac

Make sure that the "apple" iCloud cloud is activated on all your devices. Here's an example of how you can activate the service on a Mac: go to System Preferences and select iCloud, enter your Apple ID and password, check all the items you want to sync: photos, contacts, email, etc.

  • Activate iCloud on iPhone, iPad and iPod

Here's how to activate iCloud on your mobile device (iPhone / iPad / iPod): go to the settings section, go to the iCloud menu, activate it, select what you would like to store in the cloud.

  • Synchronization

Now that you're a full member of iCloud, make sure you sync the items that excite you the most. We especially recommend that you sync your contacts, notes, reminders, and bookmarks so that you can access them on any of your devices and over the web.

  • Use iCloud storage just like Dropbox

There is a way by which you can "trick" iCloud, using virtual folders to store any file. If you're using Dropbox, you're probably pretty familiar with the general concept. To get the iCloud online storage as close to Dropbox as possible, first make sure Documents & Data is enabled in your system's iCloud settings. Next, open Finder and press Ctrl + Shift + G. A dialog box will open and inside Type ~/Library. This will allow you to discover your hidden library folders. Once you get inside, scroll down to Mobile Documents. You don't need to change anything inside this folder because the files belong to apps that are already using your iCloud storage. However, you can now leave your own files and folders here. Items in this folder will be available on any other device accordingly.

  • Get the most out of Docs in the Cloud

You can store any documents in the cloud using your account, including Word and Excel spreadsheets. Make sure Documents & Data is synced with iCloud. This will allow you to upload word documents, presentations, drawings, and more to iCloud. Plus, there are third-party app developers that also provide the ability to save material to your account. Once your documents are saved to iCloud, you can access them from iCloud.com, from your Mac, or from your iPhone and iPad.

  • Sync Reading Lists from Safari

If you suddenly left an unread article on your computer, you can always "pick up" it on your iPhone or iPad. To do this, enable the Reading Lists function in the Settings of both your computer and smartphone and tablet. Make sure to "check" bookmarks on all devices. This feature only works using the glasses icon in the Safari browser.

  • No need to connect your iPhone or iPad to PC again and again

The iPhone and iPad backup feature is the most useful feature of iCloud. Whenever the device connects to a Wi-Fi network, it will automatically sync settings, apps, music, photos, and more. with your iCloud account. If you ever feel the need to restore something, all you need to do is sign in with your Apple ID and download everything you need from iCloud. In the storage settings, you will find the backup option.

  • 5 GB free space

You only get 5 GB of free space when you get an account, so use it wisely. Here's a way to check how much space is left available. On your Mac, go to System Preferences, select iCloud, then Manage in the bottom right corner. Seeing the number of saved items, including backups, game files, and documents, will give you a clear idea of ​​how much space you have left. If necessary, you can always buy more space. You can also access this section from your iPhone or iPad via Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup > Manage Storage.

You can free up space by deleting old backups, deleting app backups that are insignificant to you.

  • Possibility to purchase additional memory

Apple gives you 5 GB of free cloud storage. If you have multiple devices or just need more space, you'll have to shell out. Apple offers 20 GB for $40 per year or 50 GB for $100 per year. That's a pretty steep price compared to Google Drive, which gives you 25GB for $2.50 a month ($30 a year). And Dropbox gives you 100 GB for $100 a year. You can purchase additional storage on your Mac in System Preferences or using your iPhone or iPad in iCloud preferences.

  • Use iCloud to download apps and music on all your devices

In iTunes, in Preferences, you can set your Mac to automatically download music, apps, books, and other iTunes store purchases. Similarly, you can activate the option on your mobile device.

  • Take advantage of the photo stream

Photo Stream is one of the neatest ways to automatically sync photos with other devices. Photos from your iPhone or iPad will automatically appear on your Mac. This option also needs additional activation in the settings.

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Apple provides its users with 5 GB of free iCloud storage. However, unfortunately, this volume is not enough for everyone. When the storage is almost full, new backups stop being created, and the user has a question: what to do, and there are two ways - to clear the "cloud" of old unnecessary data, freeing up space for new ones, or buy additional iCloud storage.

In this article, we will tell you how to act correctly in both situations.

In general, there are two approaches to the need to clear iCloud storage. The first is to clean the memory of the device itself and manually create a new backup copy, which, after “cleaning”, will significantly “lose weight” and there will be room for new information. This approach is very simple and works great, because in most cases the user only needs to delete or upload old photos and videos to the computer - after all, this type of content steals the most space in the backup.

To implement this scheme, if you decide to remove unnecessary content:


If you want to transfer content to a computer:

  1. Connect the device to the PC, open through the "My Computer" section.
  2. Copy the content to your computer and then delete it in the classic way.
  3. Follow the third step of the previous instruction.

Another approach to how to free up space in iCloud is to use a special section of the cloud settings menu. This approach is good because it allows you to see how much memory is consumed by each of the programs whose data is included in the copy.

So, how to clear iCloud storage space using this menu:

  1. Open the "Settings" of the iPhone or other iOS gadget.
  2. If your device runs on iOS 10.3 and later versions of the platform, tap your name, then iCloud, otherwise, press iCloud right away - in both cases at the very top you will see the statistics of the space used.
  3. Click the "Storage" section, then "Management".
  4. Now tap on the backup - you will see a list of all the programs whose data is stored in it. Here you will get an answer to the question why the storage filled up so quickly - by default, the device backs up a lot of information that the user does not need to store at all, but don't worry, now we will take matters into our own hands.
  5. So, to free up space, you need to disable the sliders opposite all programs in which we do not want to back up data. When the dialog box appears, click "Turn off and delete".
  6. After the cleaning is done, scroll to the very bottom and click "Delete copy". Don't worry, now we will create a new one - with your new settings.
  7. Open the iCloud section in the "Settings" menu, select the "Backup to iCloud" item, click on the "Create a backup copy" link.

Ready! Now only what you need is stored in the cloud.

Good advice! Do not store your photos and videos in the "cloud" - they take up a lot of space, and sooner or later you still have to dump them on your computer. If you care that this type of content was stored in iCloud, we recommend that you turn on the "Optimize storage ..." setting if you have not used it before. To activate it, go to iCloud, then "Photos", check the box next to the "Optimize storage ..." option.



How to increase the amount of storage?

As we said above, clearing iCloud of the information stored in it is not the only way to get a new place to create new backups. If you store a lot of information on your device and the storage fills up quickly even with regular “cleaning”, then the best option is to buy additional space in the cloud.

Apple offers three plans:

  • 50 GB for 59 rubles per month
  • 200 GB for 149 rubles per month
  • 2 TB for 599 rubles per month

To buy more iCloud space:


That's all - as you can see, using iCloud in terms of clearing and purchasing a new place is very simple!

Let's summarize

Now you know how to see how much space the current backup takes in iCloud, how to increase iCloud cloud storage in volumes, and how to clear it of unnecessary information. We hope our instructions were clear and you were able to do what you wanted.

Any copies of backup data have their own volume. When working with computers, there are no problems - PCs are equipped with a large amount of memory, you can place a huge amount of information there. This is not the case with smartphones. Especially when it comes to the iPhone.

This gadget allows you to backup data using the iCloud service. It has its own limitations on the allocated space for user information. If you do not format the cloud from time to time, the storage will sooner or later be 100% full.

In this article, we will talk about how to clean up iCloud. What should every user know about this process?

You should pay attention to the fact that by default, all owners of "apple" products are allocated 5 GB of free space on the iCloud cloud service. If necessary, you can increase this limit for a fee.

Despite this, from time to time you still have to think about how to clean up iCloud storage. This can be done in several ways. For example, format the cloud completely or partially. Depending on preferences, the algorithm of actions will also change.

Today, iCloud cleaning can be done both through a mobile device and using a computer. Accordingly, the procedure can be both complete and partial. Next, we will talk about all the options for the development of events.

How to clear iCloud on iPhone? The first tip is to delete only certain data. The fact is that the data cloud stores a variety of user files. These are programs, and pictures, and videos, and backups. You can free up some space by partially deleting information.

In order not to think for a long time how to clean up iCloud, we suggest acting like this:

  1. Turn on the "apple" gadget. Be sure to wait for it to be fully ready for further work.
  2. Go to "Settings" -iCloud.
  3. Select "Storage".
  4. Click on "Management".
  5. Select the data to be deleted. Then click on "Edit" in the upper right corner of the screen.
  6. Click on the "Delete" button.

Such a procedure is considered the longest, but the most suitable for clearing the cloud of unnecessary information.

But this is only the first way. You can free up space by eliminating redundant backup data. So, how to clean iCloud from copies of user information?

The process as a whole is not much different from the previously proposed algorithm. But some differences do exist. To be more precise, deleting backups is done like this:

  1. Smartphone or tablet must be turned on.
  2. Go to "Settings" - iCloud - "Storage".
  3. Select the "Manage" function.
  4. Click on the device whose data you want to clear.
  5. Click on "Delete copy".
  6. Confirm the operation by clicking on the "Turn off and delete" button.

The described algorithm of actions will help get rid of backup copies of information only. You can do the same from a computer.

Let's look at how to clear iCloud from a PC. If we are talking about deleting backups, then you can use iTunes to bring the idea to life. Every user can do this. To remove copies of data through iTunes, you need:

  1. Connect iPhone to PC via a special wire.
  2. Install the latest version of iTunes for the operating system.
  3. Run the program and wait for synchronization with the device.
  4. Go to "Settings" and open the "Devices" section.
  5. Select the desired copy of the data and click on "Delete".

Fast, simple, convenient. Although in practice this option is not used very often.

And how to clean iCloud through the official cloud page? The process is possible only from a computer and with an Internet connection.

It is proposed to act as follows:

  1. Visit icloud.com.
  2. Log in to the system using your Apple ID.
  3. Open the "Storage" service.
  4. Select the required components and click on "Remove".

The use of the official page in practice is not very common. Usually people think about how to clean iCloud from mobile devices. From now on, you know the answer to this question!

What to do if iCloud storage runs out of space

iCloud storage is a very reliable way to keep your content in a safe place. Apple is responsible for storing all of this user data. But if you don't keep your iCloud storage full, you may run out of free space in iCloud.

About full iCloud storage

Judge for yourself: you, say, bought an iPhone 6s, created an iCloud account when you activated your iPhone - the company gives you 5 GB of free space on one of the iCloud servers.

By default, the gadget is set to automatically sync with the icloud.com server - when the iPhone or iPad screen is locked, and the device itself is connected to any known Wi-Fi network that has Internet access, and the device is charging, it uses the unused bandwidth of this The Internet channel, when differences are found, copies files back and forth until the differences are resolved. The result is a fresh, updated copy of all iPhone owner data. In case of loss, "moving" of the owner to another iPhone or iPad while maintaining the current iCloud account, all data can be restored from this "cloud" copy. Agree, the thing is very convenient!

What to do and how to clear space from any of the Apple devices

Various backups are managed from any gadget. All of them together take up 5 GB. Often, iCloud space fills up quickly. Anything over 5 GB can be purchased. And if the owner is insolvent, Apple "freezes" the rest of the files that do not fit into these 5 GB, and access to them before paying for paid space on iCloud is impossible. To do this, you need to optimize your backup without uploading too much to iCloud. Also store your files and settings on a PC, in external media or on other "clouds", where there will be more free gigabytes.

Modern gadgets iPhone and iPad have built-in memory of 64 GB - on iCloud, the user is invariably given 5 GB. It will not be possible to create a second account from one iPhone or iPad - Apple has protected the iCloud service from fraudulent schemes by users. Want more - pay!

It can be “cleaned up” online, freeing up space in iCloud that is “polluted” by content that is no longer needed. Follow the steps below.

Throughout the cleaning process, you are accompanied by a scale for the utilization of iCloud storage.

Timely revision of content in iCloud will help you in case of lack of free space.

Revision of iCloud backups from iPad and iPod

Techniques for navigating iCloud on the iPad and iPod are no fundamentally different: they use the same software shell, iOS, as on the iPhone. Due to this, the functionality is the same on all these devices (and even the menus are almost the same), including when managing iCloud storage - everything depends only on the size of the internal memory and screen resolution of the device.

But about managing iCloud storage on MacBook computers and on regular Windows-based PCs, it is worth talking specifically.

How to free up space on a full iCloud using a Windows PC

On icloud.com, when you exit directly from your PC browser, your devices' desktop is displayed in the style of Apple iDevices (just like on a real iPhone or iPad).

Your actions with Windows are as follows.

  1. Download, install and launch the iCloud app for Windows.
  2. Sign in to iCloud.

Synchronization is two-way - when a difference in the file structure is detected, all your records are copied back and forth on all devices, including the PC. Thus, your collection will be available anytime, anywhere with an unlimited Internet connection.

Setting up iCloud for Windows XP

While Apple recommends at least Vista version of Windows, you can run the iCloud installation on Windows XP as well. For this, the WinRAR and Orca MSI Editor programs are used, with the help of which the "source" iCloud is configured - the blocking of the iCloud installation for Windows XP is removed. There is also a ready-made, “repackaged” installation file iCloudSetup.exe configured for the XP version on the Web.

Setting up iCloud on MacOS

Both on an Apple PC with MacOS preinstalled - and on regular computers based on the x86 / x64 platform, where you can also install the MAC version (especially for such PCs) - the operation of the iCloud application is similar, because the MacOS graphical shell is almost the same everywhere same. The operation of the iCloud application differs little from the Windows version: the same functions. As an example, a person who installed the French version of iCloud on a MacOS PC and bought 55 GB of iCloud storage.

As you can see, it is not difficult to navigate even in versions of iCloud translated even into Chinese or Arabic - each menu item is accompanied by an icon, which immediately makes it clear what we are working with. In this, Apple is also impeccable.

  1. Log in to get started.
  2. Check if you want to sync your MacBook's stock app data with iCloud.

What can be cleared on iCloud

You can remove obsolete data from iCloud in the following categories:

  • notes;
  • calendar reminders;
  • letters sent by e-mail;
  • data of installed applications downloaded from the AppStore (for example, the history of calls and messages in Skype, Zello, WhatsApp);
  • bookmarks and browsing history in Safari;
  • voice recordings;
  • data from the Health app (virtual medical record on the device);
  • music uploaded to iTunes (soundtracks, podcasts);
  • SMS/MMS messages;
  • drawings, photographs and video recordings (clips).

An example is the iPhone, which is given instructions on what to save in iCloud. There can be at least a hundred applications - each of them can be controlled.

Copy to iCloud can be controlled either fully or partially. It's affordable, easy and simple.

The iPad and MacBook are configured in the same way.

How to expand space in iCloud via PC, iPhone, etc.

If you do not intend to create separate accounts for each of your Apple devices, you can purchase additional gigabytes in iCloud.

Buying gigabytes from iPhone or iPad

All steps are the same for iPhone and iPad. Follow the steps below.

  1. Go to manage your iCloud storage and choose to purchase more space on an Apple server.
  2. Choose how many gigabytes you need.

How to buy more iCloud space on a MacBook

The action plan is the following. Similar.

  1. Give the command: Apple - System Preferences - iCloud - Manage
  2. Choose a plan and go to the icloud.com service to make a payment from your account.

Buying a gigabyte of iCloud on a Windows PC

  1. Launch the iCloud app for Windows, select "Storage".
  2. Select "Buy more space" ("Change storage plan").
  3. Choose a storage plan and go to iCloud to pay for it.

As you can see, the functionality is extremely simple. The consumer should not have any difficulties with paying for iCloud.

Other methods outside the scope of the iCloud service

It happens that there is not enough space on iCloud - but you don’t want to buy extra. Here are some alternative methods:

  • backup to PC using iTunes (local);
  • third-party services: Cloud Mail.ru, GoogleDrive, Yandex-Disk, Dropbox, etc.
  • hard drives or CardReaders with Wi-Fi (on iPhone or iPad, a special application is required; a working Wi-Fi router is also needed);
  • family access - combining Apple iDevices equipment of all family members (each user of such a group stores something specific in order to avoid duplication of exactly the same content on other gadgets in the family).

About "clearing" free space on iCloud. What to do if iCloud drive is full?

The steps above will help you optimize your iCloud experience. By applying these instructions, you can be sure that you will always have enough free space. We wish you never to lose important information for you - even if you change a dozen gadgets and computers!

How to Clear iCloud Storage on iPhone

This article will show you what to do if your iCloud runs out of space and how to buy more.

As every iPhone owner knows, iCloud makes a backup from the phone and stores photos, video files and other information inside the service. At the same time, all content is securely protected, and if necessary, you can update it on any iOS device.

But if the iCloud space suddenly fills up, and there is no free space left in the system, backup will become impossible. Newly created snapshots and other files will not go to the library. iCloud-enabled software will no longer function. And the user will also not be able to send a message to the e-mail of this service.

How to clear iCloud storage on iPhone 5S - read our instructions.

There are 2 main approaches to accomplish this task:

  • Switch to a paid plan.
  • Clean up the system by erasing unnecessary backup versions, photos, messages, and the like.

Few want to switch to a paid version of the service, so let's dwell on the second method and tell you how to clear the space. Before the procedure, you must first check the availability of free space in the service. On gadgets like the iPhone 5, on the iPhone 6 and the like, this is done as follows:


Freeing up more free space

  • Archive or copy iCloud data.
  • Delete backup versions that were made a long time ago and are no longer up to date.
  • Erase photos and videos.
  • Delete other unnecessary files.
  • Get rid of e-mails.

The named section of the service uses it to share content on all Apple gadgets. This applies to photos, videos, and more. Surely, among the variety of information stored on your device, there is a lot of superfluous. For example, these can be photos of poor quality or the same photos. Such rubbish is easy to remove from the photo application in absolutely any iOS gadget.

In addition, we can competently manage space in iCloud with the help of the storage optimization function. This option is available in the device settings. With its active use, the photo application automatically clears space, replacing photos and videos with modified versions in the form of copies. Basic versions of photos in full format are stored in the cloud, and if necessary, the user can always upload them to the device's memory.

Those photos and videos that have been deleted are moved to the recently deleted content album. From here they can be returned back within a month after removal. But if you wish, you can permanently erase these files faster without waiting 30 days. To do this, click on the select button and decide on the elements that we want to remove. Then you need to confirm your decision by clicking on the delete button.

If there is no free space left in iCloud after that, all deleted photos and videos will be permanently deleted. Moreover, their copies will not be saved anywhere, including in the album with recently deleted photographs.

Below, once again, we will describe step by step the algorithm for deleting various content from the iCloud media library. In addition, we will tell you how to do this on the resource of the service itself.

Method to delete photos on iPhone

To perform the uninstall, follow these steps:

  • Launch the photo program and click on the icon of the same name (located at the very bottom of the display).
  • Click the select button and mark the images to be deleted.
  • Confirm your decision by clicking on the appropriate button.

Delete photo content from iCloud.com

To clear space from unwanted photos through a cloud service, you need to follow these steps:

  • Log in to the iCloud resource on the global network.
  • Open the photo app and enter the photo selection section.
  • Mark photo frames and video clips that we want to erase.
  • Click the delete button.


Another way to reduce the media library

Even if you don't use the service's media library, files in your camera roll are still moved to iCloud backup. To check this copy on mobile devices with operating system version 8 and older, you need to go to the storage settings, and then to its management section. But if your device is running iOS version earlier than 8, go to the storage and copies section. And there already make a choice of the name of your gadget.

To significantly reduce the volume of copies of your media library, save photos and video clips to your laptop or PC. After these steps, make a backup yourself.

If you want to keep photos and videos on your iOS device, turn off the library. This is done through the backup settings. Again, you can buy additional space.

You can also permanently get rid of photos that you definitely never need. To do this, go to the photo application and decide on the picture you want to delete. Then confirm your decision by clicking on the delete button.

To delete content in this program, you need:

  • Go to iCloud settings, and then go to the storage section.
  • Click the icon for the program using iCloud Drive.
  • Mark all required.
  • Or click on the edit button, or just swipe left.

iCloud is cloud storage provided by Apple for storing music, photos, documents, and contacts. It allows you to access your files from any device. Back up and share information with other iOS devices.

The amount that can be stored here for free is 5 GB. For photos, the size is determined in terms of the number of files and the size does not matter. The service will keep 1000 photos from the last 30 days, which will be more and will be deleted before this.

How to get out of the cloud

There are many reasons why you may need to leave iCloud, from buying a used phone to losing your account password.

To sign out of iCloud on iPhone, you need to do the following:

  1. Go to "Settings" and then to "iCloud".
  2. In this menu, at the very bottom of the list, there will be an option "Exit".
  3. After that, the account on the iOS device will be deleted, and data will no longer be saved.

Click on Exit

When you click on the "Logout" button, a pop-up window with a message will appear. In which there will be a warning that if the account is deleted, all data will be deleted.

To avoid this, you need to click "Cancel" and go to the "iCloudDrive" tab, with which, if this option is enabled, the data is saved. You need to save the necessary information and turn off iCloud Drive.

How to Clear iCloud Storage on iPhone

Now, when you click "Sign out" again in the account, a message may appear stating that if you delete the profile, then the photos stored in the Photo Stream and documents located in the cloud will be deleted from the smartphone.

Accordingly, if there are important and valuable data, then it is necessary to transfer them. For example, if we are talking about photos, then you need to move them from the Photo Stream to the Camera Roll.

Then you should return to the menu, select "Photos" and opposite the options "My photo streams" and "Sharing photos" move the switch to "Off".

Now you need to return to the menu again and try to delete the account.

The application may ask what to do with the Safari objects, calendar, and contacts. Several options will be offered:

  • "Leave on iPhone" - and then all contacts and dates will be available on the device.
  • "Delete from iPhone" - and then the data will be erased.

To clear it, you need to go to "Settings" - "iCloud" and select "Storage". A list of files will appear to erase them, just swipe your finger or do it through the "Edit" menu.

But in both cases, the information will be available in the cloud. To check this, you need to go to the Apple cloud website and enter your account. When you enter the previous password and login, the contacts and dates of this account will appear.

Untie iPhone from cloud

To unlink your iPhone from iCloud, you need to go to http/icloud.com from your PC using your Apple ID credentials and iPhone password.

  • Go to the Find iPhone tab

  • Select the "All Devices" menu item.
  • The drop-down list will contain all iOS devices associated with this profile. You must select the device that you want to remove.
  • If the gadget is offline, then click "Remove from Find My iPhone". And if on the network, then "Erase iPhone", in the window that appears in the upper right corner.
  • Then confirm the action "Remove from account".

iCloud is a great and useful app for managing your files and syncing devices. But sometimes it becomes necessary to get rid of iCloud from the phone or clear its contents. To get out of there, you need to follow the instructions to remove iCloud on iPhone.

With the advent of iCloud, the already reliable devices from Apple have become even cooler. The service has become especially useful for those who own several gadgets at once: Mac + iPhone, iPhone + iPad and other combinations.

iCloud is so deeply embedded in the system that it is impossible to use an iPhone and never encounter this service. But if you let everything take its course, then sooner or later the user will see a message like this:

The fact is that Apple gives free 5 GB in its cloud storage, which are clogged in a couple of months of use. The solution is simple: buy more seats for yourself, since the prices are quite affordable, for example, 200 GB of available memory will cost 149 rubles / month.

You can't just take us. When buying an expensive smartphone, you must first save on covers, and then on iCloud.

Okay, every joke has its share of jokes. In fact, there is no need for hundreds of gigabytes of space if you do not make cloud copies and store photos there. That is, practically do not use iCloud.

But there are also less painful ways. It is enough to configure the upload settings once and clean the data from time to time. Here are some tricks:

1. Configuring redundancy settings

The main consumer of cloud storage is a backup copy. But it is not at all necessary to copy the complete list of programs, you can turn off the excess here:

iOS 11 and above: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups
iOS 10.3: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Storage > Manage Storage
iOS 10.2 and below: Settings > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage

Select your device and disable copying of unnecessary programs.

2. Reducing the size of backups

The most effective way is to transfer all photos and videos to your computer, delete them from your iPhone and create a new copy manually. Here's how to find the right button:

iOS 10.3 and above: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup
iOS 10.2 and below: Settings > iCloud > Backup

We press the button "Create a backup" and we are waiting. The device must be connected to Wi-Fi. During this time, iPhone can be used as usual.

3. Remove extra backups

And you can just delete them and not make new ones. By the way, it’s worth checking the list of backups, even if you’re not going to delete them, I’ve had a backup of the sold iPhone 4s for a year and a half.

iOS 11 and above: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups
iOS 10.3: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Storage > Manage Storage
iOS 10.2 and below: Settings > General > Storage & iCloud > Manage

Select the unwanted copy and click Delete Copy > Turn Off and Delete. iPhone will stop making new backups to the cloud.

4. Disable uploading photos and videos

iOS 7 and above: Settings > Photos

Disable iCloud Photo Library and upload to Photo Stream, and on devices running iOS 11 and above, select "Save original", instead of "Optimize Storage on iPhone".

5. Deleting data from apps

Remember that iCloud is used not only by internal system services, but also by third-party applications? Fortunately, all documents and data created by these applications can be deleted. Here is the path:

iOS 11 and above: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage
iOS 10.3: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Storage
iOS 10.2 and below: Settings > General > Storage & iCloud

Select an application and click "Delete documents and data".

6. Clean or disable iCloud Drive

The OS X cloud application was registered on the iPhone with the release of iOS 9. You can clean up the list of files that are stored in the cloud:

iOS 11 and above: Files app > Browse button at the bottom > iCloud Drive
iOS 10.3 and below: iCloud Drive app > Select button

Select unnecessary files and click "Delete". In iOS 11 and above, you should empty the folder "Recently Deleted". (Overview tab, Places section)

You can simply not use iCloud Drive by turning off the toggle switch at:

iOS 10.3 and above: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Drive
iOS 10.2 and below: Settings > iCloud > iCloud Drive

So clean or buy more space?

I kept track of iCloud space for a couple of years until I paid myself 200 GB for the whole family. And never regretted it. Seriously, 149 rubles is not enough to drink coffee once. But all the pictures are in the cloud, copies are in the same place, and on all devices at once.

I unload everything at once, removed iTunes from my working computer, no notifications bother me. Some pluses.