How to clear the cloud on iPhone 6s. What is the Apple iCloud cloud service and how to use it? How to stop running out of space

Filmed on iPhone and iPad photos and videos take up a huge amount of space on devices free space. If you need more memory, you don't necessarily have to resort to deleting content or moving it to other media. Using the iCloud Photo Library service, you can store photos and videos in the cloud by setting up automatic data optimization on the iOS device itself.

How to enable Content Storage Optimization for iCloud Photo Library

iCloud Photo Library automatically uploads your photos to cloud storage, allowing you to access it at any time and from any device. Storage optimization - useful option, which replaces photos and videos in the original resolution with optimized versions if the memory on the device runs out. The full resolution file is quickly loaded if you need to view it, edit it, or send it to social networks. To enable this option follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Select the Photo and Camera section.

3. Check the “Optimize device storage” option.

After activating this option, the system will automatically move the original versions of the files to iCloud, leaving only recently captured photos and videos full-size. The process may take long time, depending on the number of files and connection speed.

How to free up space on iCloud

The total size of files you can store in iCloud is not unlimited, and you have several options to free up space.

Option A: Clear Photo Library

Browse through albums that might contain selfies, panoramas, screenshots, or time-lapse videos. Perhaps among them there are those that can be deleted. Important note: You can't delete files from just iCloud or just from your device; if you delete them on your iPhone, they'll disappear from everywhere.

After deleting unnecessary pictures and videos, do not forget to visit the Recently deleted section and clear it. Otherwise, the files will still be stored on the device, taking up free memory within 30 days.

Option B: Buy additional iCloud storage

If you don't want to worry about storing your photos and videos and you're willing to pay for cloud storage space, you can increase the amount of available space in your iCloud Photo Library. On this moment prices for additional iCloud storage are as follows:

  • 5 GB - free
  • 50 GB - 59 rubles/month
  • 200 GB - 149 rubles/month
  • 1 TB - 599 rubles/month

Change tariff plan or you can cancel it at any time.

Any copies of backup data have their own volume. When working with computers, problems do not arise - PCs are equipped with a large amount of memory, and a huge amount of information can be stored there. This is not the case with smartphones. Especially if we're talking about about iPhone.

This gadget allows you to backup data using the iCloud service. It has its 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 iCloud. What should every user know about this process?

Formatting Methods

Please note that by default, all owners of Apple products are allocated 5 GB of free space on the iCloud cloud service. If necessary, this limit can be increased for a fee.

Despite this, from time to time you still have to think about how to clean out your iCloud storage. There are several ways to do this. For example, format the cloud completely or partially. Depending on preferences, the algorithm of actions will change.

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

Partial removal

How to clean 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 include programs, pictures, videos, and backup copies. You can free up some space by partially deleting information.

In order not to think for a long time, we suggest doing this:

  1. Turn on the Apple gadget. Be sure to wait until he is completely ready for further work.
  2. Go to "Settings" - iCloud.
  3. Select "Storage".
  4. Click on "Management".
  5. Select the data you want to delete. Next, click on “Change” in the right top corner screen.
  6. Click on the "Delete" button.

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

From backup data

But this is only the first way. You can free up space by eliminating unnecessary 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 still exist. More precisely, deleting backups is done like this:

  1. The 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 only help you get rid of backup copies of information. You can do similar steps from your computer.

Deleting backups from a PC

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

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

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

Via iCloud for Windows

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

It is suggested to act like this:

  1. Visit icloud.com.
  2. Log in to the system when Apple help ID.
  3. Open the "Storage" service.
  4. Select the required components and click on “Delete”.

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

Owners of several Apple devices must know how to log into iCloud from an iPhone or iPad if necessary, because sometimes you need to get data from another device right now.

For those who have never used iCloud: this is a cloud storage that not only makes it possible to store and synchronize your media files, contacts and other data. But it also produces backup of all devices, which will make it easy to transfer everything you need to the new model.

iCloud features

Let's figure out what iCloud can synchronize? Standard transfer objects include:

  1. Multimedia content (books, films, etc.). Your entire library will not be lost when moving to new version iPhone, or if it breaks.
  2. Photo and video. Not a single frame you take will be lost, which means that valuable memories will remain in your memory and phone account forever.
  3. Settings. You won’t have to find the desired sound level or design again - ICloud will handle everything itself.
  4. Messages and ringtones.
  5. Application data (game progress, accounts, etc.)

I would especially like to dwell on the synchronization of application data: some games allow you to use synchronization to pause a level on the iPad and continue from the same place on the iPhone (and vice versa), which is very convenient, for example, in the event of a low battery.

Where to download iCloud?

No need to download anything cloud service built into iOS starting from version 5. All functions become fully available after free update up to iOS 8 and higher. It is also worth noting that registration is unnecessary: ​​you use your Apple ID login and password to log in.

Do not under any circumstances share your iCloud data with third parties! They will be able to study all your photos, correspondence and other materials.

How to Login to the iPhone Cloud

Through standard browser Safari will not be able to get into the storage: you will be asked to log in to your iPhone and log into it, but in the meantime you may need to visit full version, not mobile.

When might you need to log into the iPhone cloud?

Each owner of Apple equipment, along with the purchase of a device, automatically receives 5 free gigabytes for storing files in special application iCloud. This “cloud” is used as storage for backing up device settings, contacts, photos and videos, as well as various documents.

Backup occurs whenever the smartphone is within Wi-Fi range and is charging from the power supply. Of course, this helps a lot in cases where your smartphone has been lost, or you decide to switch to another device and want to save settings and data from your previous account. But some owners of Apple devices are not even aware of the existence of such a function, and the device’s memory is increasingly filling up without their knowledge.

After using iPhone, iPad, iPod and Mac devices for a long time, the space on this cloud space is pumped up, which makes it difficult to back up, send photos and videos to the Media Library, and also does not allow you to synchronize files with documents via iCloud Drive.

There comes a time when it’s time for the gadget owner to clean up iCloud. Today we will tell you how cleaning is done with minimal losses.

Understanding what is stored in iCloud on iPhone

To free up space in iCloud, you need to understand what exactly is stored in the cloud, and whether the device owner needs cloud documents.

In this article, we are looking at the iPhone as an example, although similar recommendations are suitable for other Apple devices.

A separate storage space is used to store the cache of programs installed on the device. Obviously, games and applications also weigh a decent amount of gigabytes.

You can easily get rid of all of the above by taking cloud storage under your control.

You can learn more about the storage itself from the video on the HelloMacNet channel, which translates official tutorials for Apple equipment and other popular companies:

Manage iCloud on iPhone for cleaning Not every iPhone owner knows where iCloud is located on his smartphone. To clear your iCloud storage of unnecessary data, you need to learn the basic functions this application


, and understand how it works.

The first thing you should do is open the settings of your smartphone and find a section dedicated to storage there, it’s called “

Here you can not only see the level of storage fullness, but also analyze which programs and documents take up the most memory, as well as what backups have already been created for.

In the settings, you can independently clean the “cloud” of unnecessary data, and now we will figure out what exactly should be deleted from the device.

It is the Media Library files that take up the most space, or rather the originals and backup copies of photos and videos. Even copies of your photo processing using standard program"Photo".

If you really need this data, then you can not delete it, but just compress it using the “Storage Optimization” function (see figure):

You can delete unnecessary photos and videos directly from the Photos app. To do this you need:

  1. open the Photos application;
  2. press the “Select” button;
  3. mark the files you are interested in;
  4. click the “Delete” button.

To completely clear the program's memory of these documents, you will have to spend a little time. The fact is that the iPhone does not have special button, which allows you to erase all data entirely, which forces the smartphone owner to delete each picture and video separately.

Remember that each file when deleted is sent to special folder"Recently Deleted" for the next 30 days. To completely clean your smartphone of “garbage”, you need to go there, select all the files you need to delete and confirm permanent deletion.

This is an analogue of the recycle bin, which will allow you to save accidentally deleted media files. Or restore photos and videos that you changed your mind about erasing.

Method 2. Delete data from unused applications

Most iPhone owners have apps in their memory that they hardly use. If such programs are still necessary, but contain an unnecessary outdated cache, you can free up your smartphone by deleting only this cache.

It is worth noting that in this way you delete information permanently, so it is important to think through your actions in advance.

To begin cleaning, follow these steps:

  1. find the “Manage” item in iCloud settings;
  2. in the iCloud storage management, find the application you are interested in;
  3. click on the “Change” button at the top of the panel;
  4. everyone has it separate file application will display a minus sign. To clear the excess, you need to click on this minus;
  5. If you no longer need the entire application, select the “Remove All” button.

The method allows you to free up enough space selectively without deleting really important data.

Method 3. Clean unnecessary documents

If you have gotten rid of everything unnecessary, but the need is to cleanse unnecessary files your iCloud remains, you should pay attention to the “Documents and Data” or “Other Documents” section (depending on the iPhone version).

To do the cleaning you need to:

  1. go to the already familiar storage management
  2. find the “Other Documents” section. Various information accumulates there system programs, as well as extraneous or outdated files. You may have already forgotten about many of them, so you can easily clean them;
  3. You can delete data by clicking on the “Change” and “Delete all” buttons.

The topmost files in the list are the largest and heaviest files.

Method 4. Disable iCloud Drive

In addition to the main iCloud apps on iPhone and other devices Apple There is a separate iCloud Drive function, which is a separate storage for data from applications that work with files.

This means that even correspondence in WhatsApp messenger or a video downloaded in the browser can be saved in this “cloud”.

This kind of function really takes up a lot of space in the device’s memory, so it’s better to clear out the excess or even disable this function altogether.

To do this you need:

  1. go to iCloud settings;
  2. find the iCloud Drive function there;
  3. disable separate application or deactivate the service completely using the green slider.

Method 5: Remove Media Library files from backup

The media library stores backup copies of photos and videos, and very often they are completely unnecessary. iCloud provides the ability to get rid of unnecessary photo streams by turning off copying Media Library files from iPhone to the cloud.

Remember that if you delete the information, it will not be possible to restore it if you lose your gadget or it breaks down. So it’s worth periodically transferring photos and videos from your device to your PC.


Cleaning instructions:

  1. go to the cloud storage settings, namely the “Management” item;
  2. “iCloud Storage” will open, here select “Photos”;
  3. select “Disconnect and delete” and confirm your choice;
  4. all photos and videos will be deleted from iCloud.

We were able to clear the online storage of existing copies of the Media Library and stop further copying of photos and videos to iCloud.

Increasing iCloud storage

For those who do not want to suffer from constant cleaning or do not have the opportunity to free backup copies from existing data, there is an option to increase the storage size.

It’s worth warning right away that you will have to pay extra for such services. To do this you need:

  1. open iCloud management;
  2. find there the function “Buy more space” or “Change storage plan”;
  3. in the window that opens, you can select the tariff that suits you most.

Current Tariffs:

  • 50 GB – 59 rubles;
  • 200 GB – 149 rubles;
  • 2 TB – 599 rubles.

You will have to pay for additional gigabytes monthly, and the required amount will be debited from your account automatically.

Remember, your card, which is linked to the AppStore, must have the amount to pay for Cloud at the selected rate.

Let's sum it up

There are many different ways regarding how to quickly and efficiently clean the iCloud of an Apple device from unnecessary data without actually deleting important information. The main ways are:

  • reducing your Media Library by deleting unnecessary photos and videos;
  • deleting programs or their files with information that is no longer relevant;
  • cleaning the storage from outdated documents;
  • disabling and cleaning iCloud Drive;
  • clearing backups of unnecessary documents and disabling copying for individual applications.

Each method frees up a significant amount of iCloud memory. Also, cloud storage can be increased in volume by paying extra for additional gigabytes, if necessary. We hope that our article was useful and understandable for you.

A clear example in 2 minutes

The popular channel about world news Apple ProTech clearly shows several of the methods described above for cleaning storage using its example:

Apple provides its users with 5 GB free space in iCloud cloud 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 - clear the cloud of old unnecessary data, making room 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 clear 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 transfer old photos and videos to the computer - after all, it is this type of content that 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 your computer:

  1. Connect your device to your PC and open it 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 instructions.

Another approach to freeing 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 “Settings” of your 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, tap immediately iCloud - in both cases, at the very top you will see statistics on the space used.
  3. Click the “Storage” section, then “Management”.
  4. Now tap on the backup copy - a list of all programs whose data is stored in it will appear in front of you. Here you will get the 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, but don’t worry, now we’ll take matters into our own hands.
  5. So, to free up space, we need to disable the sliders next to 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 a copy.” Don’t worry, now we’ll create a new one with your new settings.
  7. Open the iCloud section in the “Settings” menu, select “iCloud Backup”, click on the “Create a backup” 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 will still have to dump them on your computer. If it is important to you that this type of content was stored in iCloud, we recommend turning on the “Storage Optimization...” setting if you have not used it before. To activate it, go to iCloud, then “Photos”, check the box next to the “Storage optimization...” option.



How to increase storage capacity?

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 quickly fills up even with regular cleaning, then the best option— purchase of 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

In order to buy more space in iCloud:


That's it - as you can see, using iCloud in terms of cleaning out and purchasing new space is very simple!

Let's summarize

Now you know how to see how much space is currently available backup copy borrows 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.