One of the best ways to store our data today is with the clouds, either from iCloud, DropBox or similar. In this case what we need is to have enough space in our cloud to store all kinds of documents, data, photos, files and the like.
Currently, there are plans of all kinds for those of us who use the cloud on a daily basis for work, personal or simply for leisure. All these plans are linked to a paid subscription so it is normal that we choose the services we need by adjusting the capacity of the cloud so as not to spend too much, but that can sometimes cause space problems, so today we will see how to free up iCloud cloud space.
Choose a plan not too fair for our documents
Before we go to work to see the ways we have to gain space in the Apple cloud, we have to be more or less clear about the space we may need for our documents and therefore before launching a plan of this type it is good to review the files we need. Another important fact is that we will always be able to expand our space in the iCloud cloud, so we don't have to worry about it either. Storage plans keep getting better and right now the prices are quite tight.
Another important piece of information when we use the iCloud cloud to store our data is knowing how to discriminate a little about what we are going to store in the cloud. This point is important and here it also intervenes the storage capacity we have on our iPhone, iPad, Mac or Android device and PC. For this reason, these factors are the most important or some of the most important before launching into hiring a data plan.
The cloud is always cheaper and more practical than a physical disk
Many users prefer to carry external hard drives with them to store their data and sometimes this can be better than the cloud, but in most cases the iCloud will always be better to have our data stored and these are never going to be lost or damaged (unless we stop paying of course) so if you are one of those who does not want to be loaded with discs, pendrive or similar, the best thing is to launch a good iCloud plan, one that suits us both in space and quota.
But let's leave the forecast and go with how interesting it is everything we can do to free up space in our iCloud account quickly and from our own devices. So the first thing we are going to see is how to manage that storage and if we want to save backup copies to keep the photos and videos stored in iCloud Photos or to keep the documents updated in iCloud Drive.
Delete messages from iCloud and manage Mail
Something that we can do without on many occasions is messages and emails that reach our devices and that are saved in iCloud. Are all these messages really important? You can always move email messages from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to your Mac or PC, where they will stop taking up storage space in iCloud and is that some attachments take up much more space than we imagine, so this may be a good option to start.
iPhone or iPad
- In a message conversation, long press on the conversation speech bubble or attachment that you want to remove and tap More
- We click on each of the messages that we want to delete and delete them. If you want to delete all messages in the thread, tap Delete all in the upper left corner. Next, click on Delete conversation and all this space will be free from iCloud
To delete an entire conversation, follow these steps:
- Swipe left on the conversation you want to delete
- Press Delete and then again press delete to confirm the action
Do you want to delete more than one conversation at a time? Open Messages and tap Edit in the upper left corner. Then tap the circle next to the conversation and Delete in the lower right corner.
On our Mac
To delete a message or attachment, follow these steps:
- Open a message conversation
- Press Control and click on the empty area of the speech bubble that you want to remove
- Select Delete
- Click Delete
To delete an entire conversation, follow these steps:
- Press Control and click on the conversation
- Select Delete conversation
- Click Delete
Delete some voice memos
Another option we have to free up space is to delete Voice Notes in iCloud, all our voice recordings are saved in iCloud and we can remove them to gain space. For this we have to follow these simple steps:
We open Voice Notes and delete the recording that you don't need. This note will then move to Recently Deleted, where it is permanently deleted after 30 days if we do nothing about it. Until 30 days have passed, we can always save the deleted voice memo again or delete it permanently. Selecting Recover all or Delete all to perform the action you want on all the recordings at the same time.
Now we find out in more serious areas how the deletion of photos can be. In these cases we always recommend making a backup copy somewhere to avoid losing a photo that we do not want. Definitely start with reducing the size of Photos in iCloud is good to save space But you have to be careful what you play.
Reduce the size of iCloud Photos
ICloud Photos uses iCloud storage space to keep your photos and videos up-to-date on all your devices. Simply deleting some of the photos and videos that we no longer want from the Photos app on any of your devices you will get extra space in iCloud.
We can also get space directly activating the option that allows us to optimize the storage of the device from settings as long as we have this function activated. Photos automatically frees up space when needed. To do this, replace the original photos and videos with versions that are sized to fit the device. The original photos and videos with full resolution will be saved in iCloud and we will always be able to download them.
As with the notes, we have 30 days to recover the deleted photos and videos in the Recently Deleted album. If you want to delete the content of the Recently Deleted album more quickly, click on Select and choose the items to delete. We tap on Delete> Delete. In this case, as long as we exceed the iCloud storage limit, the device will immediately delete all the photos and videos that we delete and you won't be able to get them back to the Recently Deleted album. To delete photos and videos from iCloud Photos, follow these steps.
iPhone, iPad and iPod touch
- We open the Photos app and then click on Photos right at the bottom of the screen
- We select and choose a photo, video or several to click on the trash can and delete them
On Mac
- We open the Photos app and select the photos and videos that we want to delete
- We select Image and click on Delete photos.
Also from anywhere on iCloud.com
- We log in to iCloud.com and click on the Photos app
- We select the photos or videos that you want to delete and click on the trash
- We accept by clicking on Delete
We repeat that this action must be done with care since we can lose some of the images or videos that we do not want to delete, so carefully and little by little to carry out this deletion. Finally (which does not mean that we cannot find space in other ways) we also do not want to forget the option of choosing the apps that we want to have a backup in iCloud. This option also requires space and therefore it is important to be clear about the apps that we will save in copy.
Choose apps for backup
Many apps on iOS devices automatically back up to iCloud when they are installed for the first time and this could be another point from which to free up space. You can change which apps are backed up and delete existing backups from the storage space simply by following these steps from our iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.
iOS 10.3 or later
- Go to Settings> [your name]> iCloud
- If you're using iOS 11 or later, tap Manage Storage> Backups. If you're using iOS 10.3, tap iCloud Storage> Manage Storage
- Tap the name of the device you are using
- In Select the data you want to copy, deactivate any app that you do not want to back up
- Choose Disable and delete
iOS 10.2 or earlier
- Go to Settings> iCloud> Storage> Manage Storage
- Tap the name of the device you are using
- Under Backup options, disable apps that you no longer want to back up
- Choose Disable and delete
When we confirm that we want to deactivate and delete an app, the iCloud backup for that app will be deactivated and all its information from iCloud will be deleted. Some applications are always backed up and it is not possible to deactivate them, but most allow this option to get some extra space in our iCloud account.
Remember that when setting up iCloud creating a new account you automatically get 5 GB of storage totally free to store what you want: iCloud backups, for photos and videos stored in iCloud Photos, and to keep documents up to date in iCloud Drive among other options.
Freeing up space is interesting for specific moments in which we run out of space but remember that you can always get more space directly from Apple by accessing the company's website or from your device's own iCloud account and avoid having to delete data, photos or documents that we might need in a future.