How to Clear iCloud Storage without Losing Data?

With everything going digital, we have all become hoarders: hoarders of photos, videos, documents, and other such stuff. And for every iOS hoarder, iCloud storage is the ULTIMATE place to store their data until they run off their 5GB of free space.

If you are here to learn how to clear iCloud storage, you are in luck! Today's blog post is all about how to free up space on iCloud. So, read on to find ways to empty up space on your iCloud storage without losing your precious data.

5 Practical Ways to Clear iCloud Storage

Here you will learn how to delete things from iCloud storage in minutes. Let us start with the most vital step of all: analyzing iCloud Storage.

1. Inspect Your iCloud Storage

The first step in clearing iCloud storage is to check what's taking up space on your iCloud. This will make it easier to decide what is worth keeping and what should go in the trash can.
To check your iCloud storage, you will have to:

Go to your iPhone or iPad Settings.
Tap on Your Name.
Next, tap on iCloud.
Lastly, tap Manage Storage.

Now let us see how to delete stuff from iCloud storage and create space.

2. Delete Unnecessary Data (Photos, Videos, and Files)

Deleting unnecessary data such as duplicate photos, poorly recorded videos, or unimportant files is the most effective way to make space on iCloud. Start by going through your pictures and videos and deleting any that you no longer need or want.

How to Delete iCloud Storage by Deleting Unnecessary Data:

Go to your iPhone or iPad's "Photos" app.
Tap on the Library Icon and then tap Select.
Choose photos, videos, or entire albums you want to delete.
Tap the Trash Icon and then tap Delete.

3. Turn Off iCloud Backup for Unused Apps

If you have iCloud backup turned on for all your apps, it can quickly fill up your storage. As backup from unimportant apps or unused apps is saved on iCloud automatically, it is necessary that you manually turn the backup off for these particular apps to save space.

How to Clear Up iCloud Storage by Reducing the Size of Backups:

Go to your iPhone or iPad Settings.
Tap Your Name at the top of the screen, then tap on iCloud.
Then go to Manage Storage and then tap Backups.
Choose the device you are currently using from the list of your devices that back up on iCloud.

On the next window, find the unused apps and toggle the switch next to the app from green to grey.

4. Erase Old Backups from the iCloud Storage

Backups are important, but only if they are needed. If you have old iCloud backups from your previous devices that you no longer need, you can delete them to free up space.
How to Empty iCloud Storage by Deleting Old Backups:

Go to your iPhone or iPad Settings.
Tap on Your Name at the top of the screen, then tap on iCloud.
Next, click on Manage Storage and then tap on Backups.
Select the Device whose backup you want to delete.
On the next screen, tap Delete Backup.
Confirm that you want to delete the backup by tapping Turn Off & Delete.

5. Get Rid of Old or Unimportant Message Threads and Attachments

When you backup Messages on iCloud, not some but ALL of your text message threads and attachments are stored in your iCloud account. You can free up more space by deleting long threads and unnecessary multimedia texts.

How to Clear iCloud by Deleting Messages:

Enter your Message app.
Touch and hold the message bubble or attachments you want to delete in a conversation.
Tap the More button.
Tap the Trash Icon, then Delete Message.

Tap Delete All in the upper-left corner to delete all messages in the thread.
Lastly, select Delete Conversation.

You can also remove attachments only, which take up an excessive amount of storage space.

How to Clean Up iCloud Storage by Deleting Attachments

Tap the Contact's Name.
Then tap the Info Button from within a conversation.
Select See All in the Photos section.
Next, select all the photos you want to delete.
Click Delete and then to confirm, click Delete Attachment.

Why is Decluttering of iCloud Storage Important?

Clearing iCloud storage is essential for the following reasons:

Enables Fast Backup and Syncing

You only get 5GB of free iCloud storage, which is definitely not enough to hoard up old, unnecessary, or huge data. If you do not declutter your iCloud account timely, you may not be able to backup or sync your data across devices.

Enhances Device's Performance

When your iCloud storage is full, it can slow down your device's performance, and you may experience lag or freezing when trying to access files or apps. This can be frustrating and affect your productivity or enjoyment of your device.

Safeguards Your Privacy and Security

If you have sensitive or personal data stored on iCloud, clearing it regularly can help prevent unauthorized access or data breaches. This is especially important if you use your iCloud account for business or to store personal information.

Makes Finding Stuff Easier

If you have a lot of files or backups stored on iCloud, it can be challenging to find what you need when you need it. Learning how to clear iCloud space helps you stay organized and ensure that you can quickly find and access the files you need.

iCloud Storage Plans and Pricing

Even after following the steps mentioned above, if you are not able to empty up space on your iCloud, buying more storage is the only option left. So, if you want to give iCloud+ (premium cloud subscription) a shot? Here are your options:

Basic Plan (99 cents/month)

50GB of storage
iCloud Private Relay
Hide My Email
Custom Email Domain
HomeKit Secure Video (support for one camera)

Intermediate Plan ($2.99/month)

200GB of storage
iCloud Private Relay
Hide My Email
Custom Email Domain
HomeKit Secure Video (support for five cameras)

Ultimate Plan ($9.99/month)

2TB of storage
iCloud Private Relay
Hide My Email
Custom Email Domain
HomeKit Secure Video (support for unlimited cameras)

How to Manage Data Transfer and Backup?

In regard to learning how to delete data from iCloud, you should also learn how to transfer and backup huge or essential files from iCloud to PC. To transfer and create a backup of your precious data, we recommend using the AirDroid Personal app.

AirDroid Personal is a mobile app that allows users to remotely access and manage their Android devices from their computer or other devices. It is a useful app for data transfer and backup due to its various features and functionalities that enable users to easily and securely transfer files and back up their data.

AirDroid Personal App Salient Features

Feature#1: Transfers Files Wirelessly Between Devices

This is particularly useful for users who need to quickly transfer large files, such as videos or documents, without the need for cables. With AirDroid Personal, users can easily transfer files using their web browser or the AirDroid app.

Feature#2: Backs Up Data on Android Devices

With AirDroid Personal, users can back up important data such as contacts, messages, call logs, and photos to their computer or cloud storage services such as Google Drive or Dropbox—no more stress about losing data due to device damage or theft.

Feature#3: Offers a Secure Connection Between Devices

AirDroid Personal ensures that all data transfers and backups are protected. The app uses 256-bit SSL encryption to protect data, and users can set up two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to their accounts.

How to Transfer Data From iPhone to PC Using AirDroid Personal?

The following is a step-by-step tutorial for transferring data from iPhone to PC:
Step 1. Download and install AirDroid Personal on your iPhone as well as PC.

Get Free App

Step 2. Open AirDroid on your phone, navigate to My Devices, and select AirDroid Desktop.

Step 3. Copy all desired data from your iPhone to your computer.

FAQs

What Happens If I Exceed My iCloud Storage Limit?

If you exceed your iCloud storage limit, you won't be able to backup your device or upload new data to iCloud. You'll need to either upgrade your iCloud storage plan or clear some data to free up space.

How Can I Delete App Data from iCloud?

You can delete app data from iCloud by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Apps. Then, select the app you want to delete data from and click Delete Data.

How Can I Delete Email from iCloud?

You can delete emails from iCloud by going to the Mail app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and selecting the items you want to delete. Then, click the Trash icon to delete them.

Conclusion

Clearing iCloud storage is essential for ensuring that your device is working correctly and your data is protected. With the help of the practical ways outlined in this blog post, you can free up space in your iCloud account and avoid any problems with backups and syncing.
Remember to regularly check your iCloud storage and delete any unnecessary files or backups to ensure that you always have enough space.