To check what’s using your iCloud storage on an iPhone, open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. The bar at the top shows how much space you’ve used, and tapping Manage Account Storage (or Storage) lists every app and backup using space, largest first. Tap any item to see details or delete data you no longer need.
Below you’ll learn what usually takes up the most space and how to free it up without losing anything important.
How to see what’s using iCloud storage
- Open Settings and tap your name.
- Tap iCloud. The colored bar shows your total usage by category.
- Tap Manage Account Storage (or Storage, depending on your iOS version).
- Review the list. Common items are Photos, Backups, iCloud Drive, and Messages.
This is different from your iPhone’s own storage. To see what’s using space on the phone itself, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
How to free up iCloud storage
Delete old device backups
Tap Backups in the storage list. Old iPhones or iPads you no longer use may still have backups taking up gigabytes. Tap one, then tap Delete Backup (or Turn Off and Delete from iCloud). For your current iPhone, you can turn off backups for large apps you don’t need backed up.
Clean up Photos
- Delete blurry shots, duplicates, and screenshots. In the Photos app, the Duplicates album under Utilities helps you merge copies.
- Empty Recently Deleted in Photos. Deleted items count against your storage for up to 30 days.
- Download photos to a computer before deleting them if you want to keep copies.
Remove large Messages attachments
Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Messages > Review Large Attachments, and swipe left to delete files you don’t need. You can also set messages to delete after a year in Settings > Messages > Keep Messages.
Clear out iCloud Drive
Open the Files app, tap Browse > iCloud Drive, and sort by size. Delete files you don’t need, then empty Recently Deleted in Files.
Should you upgrade your storage?
Apple gives 5 GB free, which fills up fast with photos and backups. If you still need more after cleaning up, tap Change Storage Plan or Upgrade to iCloud+ for more space. Plans and prices vary by country.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my iCloud storage full when I barely use it?
Device backups and photos are usually the cause, including backups from old devices you forgot about.
Will deleting a backup delete my photos?
No. If iCloud Photos is on, your photos are stored separately and aren’t part of the backup.
Can I check iCloud storage on a computer?
Yes. Sign in at icloud.com and open Account settings, or on a Mac go to System Settings > your name > iCloud.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.