Apple’s iCloud platform goes beyond being a simple cloud storage service. It’s packed with a vast array of tools and features that elevate your Apple devices to the next level. The best part? Many of these features are completely free, with the option to pay for additional functionality. This makes iCloud a powerful and versatile option for Apple enthusiasts. But how exactly do you utilize it? What is iCloud+, and how much does it cost? This guide will answer these questions and more, offering an in-depth look at Apple’s cloud platform.
You might initially think iCloud is solely a cloud storage service based on its name. While that’s certainly a core component, it offers much more. iCloud seamlessly syncs your files across all devices signed in to your Apple Account (previously known as Apple ID). This allows you to access your photos, messages, contacts, and more on any iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Windows PC connected to your iCloud account. Beyond that, iCloud provides file storage (through iCloud Drive), device backups, Find My, iCloud Keychain password storage, the Hide My Email service for maintaining email address privacy, and more. For a comprehensive breakdown, visit Apple’s official website.
All data within iCloud is encrypted from end to end. This ensures that Apple cannot access your information, providing peace of mind that your photos, messages, and files remain secure and private at all times.
To access iCloud on an Apple device, begin by signing in to your Apple Account. This can be done through the Settings app on iOS and iPadOS, or the System Settings app on macOS. Once signed in, you can open apps like Messages and Mail to initiate syncing your content, including anything shared from other devices.
You can also download the iCloud app for Windows, granting you access to your photos, videos, emails, calendar, files, and more on your PC. Alternatively, access your iCloud through icloud.com by signing in. Upon successful login, you’ll be presented with a dashboard showcasing your photos, mail, iCloud Drive files, calendar, and other apps available for online use.
Apple offers a free tier of iCloud, so there’s no need to pay if you don’t require additional storage. However, this free tier is limited to 5GB of storage, which might not be sufficient for backing up your photos and files. For expanded storage and features, you can opt for an iCloud+ subscription. It provides extra storage in the following tiers:
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50GB:
$1 per month*
200GB:
$3 per month*
2TB:
$10 per month*
6TB:
$30 per month*
12TB:
$60 per monthPaid iCloud+ plans also unlock the following features:
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iCloud Private Relay:
Enhances privacy by routing internet traffic through multiple relays, hiding your IP address.*
Hide My Email:
Generates unique, temporary email addresses to protect your personal email from spam and tracking.*
Custom Email Domain:
Set up personalized email addresses using your own domain name.*
HomeKit Secure Video:
Securely record and store video footage from compatible security cameras, with end-to-end encryption.*
Family Sharing:
Share your iCloud+ storage and features with up to five family members.If you utilize numerous Apple services, consider an Apple One membership instead of subscribing to iCloud+ separately. Apple One bundles Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade in the Individual and Family plans. The Premier plan further includes Apple News+ and Apple Fitness+. You also receive storage with these plans: 50GB (Individual plan for $20 per month), 200GB (Family plan for $26 per month), or 2TB (Premier plan for $38 per month).
Before committing to iCloud, it’s important to acknowledge its limitations. The free tier’s storage limit of 5GB is extremely restrictive, particularly for users with a substantial number of photos or those aiming to back up their Apple devices. Even storing a few files in the 5GB version can quickly exhaust its capacity.
Furthermore, iCloud’s integration on Android devices isn’t as seamless as on Apple devices. The only way to access iCloud on Android is through a web browser. This has its drawbacks as well. Certain Apple apps opened through the web, such as Calendar and Contacts, only function on Android tablets and Windows PCs. They aren’t available on Android phones utilizing icloud.com. This limitation also applies to iPhones accessing iCloud via a browser, making it a frustrating experience for Android users since it’s their only method of accessing iCloud.
When you delete photos from an iCloud-connected device or icloud.com, they are removed from your account and all linked devices. However, they are not permanently erased immediately. Instead, they are moved to a Recently Deleted album and remain there for 30 days, allowing you to recover them if needed. If you no longer require the deleted photos, you can visit the Recently Deleted album and permanently remove them. Note that in a Shared Library, only the person who added the specific photos or videos can permanently delete them from the Recently Deleted album before automatic deletion.
Recently, iCloud was in the news due to some users experiencing previously deleted files reappearing on their devices. This pointed to an issue with iCloud syncing. Apple has since addressed the problem with a fix in iOS 17.5.1, so you should no longer encounter deleted files unexpectedly returning.
As mentioned earlier, iCloud+ is Apple’s paid iCloud subscription service. It offers various levels of cloud storage beyond the base 5GB included in iCloud’s free tier. It also bundles a collection of extra features, including:
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iCloud Private Relay:
Enhanced privacy by routing internet traffic through multiple relays, concealing your IP address.*
Hide My Email:
Generates unique, temporary email addresses to safeguard your personal email from spam and tracking.*
Custom Email Domain:
Establish personalized email addresses using your own domain name.*
HomeKit Secure Video:
Securely record and store video footage from compatible security cameras, with end-to-end encryption.*
Family Sharing:
Share your iCloud+ storage and features with up to five family members.As previously discussed, some iCloud+ features are also included in Apple One subscription plans.
