How to Free Up iCloud Storage Without Losing What Matters

Every Apple Account comes with 5 GB of iCloud storage, and it fills up fast. Once it's full, Apple says your iPhone stops backing up, new photos stop uploading and iCloud Drive stops syncing. That's when the "iCloud storage is full" warnings start. Before you upgrade to more space, it's worth a clear-out, because most people are storing old backups and message attachments they'll never look at again.

See what's taking up the space

1. Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
2. Tap iCloud.
3. Look at the bar at the top. It shows what's using your storage: Photos, Backups, Messages, Drive and so on.
4. Tap Manage Account Storage, or Storage, for the full list.

Start with whatever is biggest, because that's where the quickest gains are. Clearing a few small items won't help if one old backup is eating most of your space.

Check Recommended for You

On an iPhone or iPad, the storage screen often shows a Recommended for You section. It points to quick wins, such as large attachments or old files, and lets you review and delete them in one place. It's the easiest first step, and it often finds attachments you'd forgotten about.

Delete backups you don't need

Backups of old phones and iPads are the most common space hog. In the storage list, tap Backups, choose a device you no longer use and delete its backup. Be sure it's for a device you've retired: deleting a backup for a phone you still use also turns off iCloud Backup for that phone.

Shrink the backup of the phone you use

You don't have to back up every app. In the Backups section, tap your current device and you'll see a list of apps with how much each adds. Switch off the big ones you don't need saved, such as games or apps that store their own data online. Apple's guide describes this as reducing the size of your iCloud Backup without deleting it.

Clear the big three: Photos, Messages and Drive

Area	What to delete	Watch out for
Photos	Duplicates, screenshots, old videos	Deleting in iCloud Photos deletes on every device
Messages	Big attachments and old conversations	Save anything you want to keep first
iCloud Drive	Old downloads and files you've copied elsewhere	Deleted files go to Recently Deleted first

Videos are usually the biggest photos to remove. In the Photos app, open Collections, then Duplicates, to merge copies, and look at Media Types for videos and screen recordings.

In Messages, go to Settings, General, iPhone Storage, Messages to review large attachments and delete the ones you don't need. Setting Keep Messages to a shorter period stops them building up again.

Empty the Recently Deleted folders

Deleted photos and files sit in Recently Deleted for a while before they're removed for good, and they can still count against your storage until then. Once you're sure, open Photos, then Recently Deleted, and delete them permanently. Do the same in the Files app for iCloud Drive.

Don't forget Mail and the small stuff

Apple's list also includes Mail, voice memos, FaceTime data and contact posters. If you use an iCloud email address, large attachments add up, so delete old emails with attachments and empty the Trash. These are smaller than photos and backups, but worth a look once the big items are done.

Before you delete anything

Apple suggests archiving or making copies of anything you might want later. For photos, download originals to a computer or external drive first. Remember that iCloud Photos syncs deletions: delete a photo on your iPhone and it disappears from your iPad and Mac as well.

Keep it from filling up again

• Switch off iCloud backup for any new app that stores its data online anyway, such as streaming or cloud note apps.
• Move finished projects from iCloud Drive to an external drive or another cloud service.
• Set Messages to keep conversations for a year rather than forever.
• Delete screen recordings once you've shared them, because video is large.
• Check the storage bar every few months, before the warnings start.

On a Mac or Windows PC

On a Mac, open System Settings, click your name, then iCloud, and click Manage. Apple notes you can also manage iCloud storage on a Windows PC through the iCloud for Windows app, which is handy if your files mostly live on a PC.

If your camera roll keeps filling up and you're not sure why, my guide to photos disappearing from the iPhone camera roll explains how iCloud Photos moves and optimises them.

My verdict

Open Settings, your name, iCloud, and tackle the biggest item first: usually old device backups, then videos, then Messages attachments. Turn off backup for apps you don't need, empty Recently Deleted, and you'll often get several gigabytes back without upgrading. If you still need more after that, you've earned the upgrade, but most people don't. For more iPhone housekeeping, see how to change your iPhone camera resolution, which also controls how big each new photo is.

Frequently asked questions

How do I free up iCloud storage?

Delete old backups, turn off backup for big apps, and clear photos, Messages attachments and Drive files you don't need.

How much free iCloud storage do you get?

Every Apple Account gets 5 GB.

What happens when iCloud storage is full?

Your device stops backing up, new photos don't upload and iCloud Drive stops syncing.

Is it safe to delete an old iCloud backup?

Yes, if it's for a device you no longer use.

Does deleting photos from iPhone free iCloud space?

Yes, with iCloud Photos on, after they leave Recently Deleted.

Can I manage iCloud storage on Windows?

Yes, through the iCloud for Windows app.