iCLOUD SUPERGUIDE

How to make the most of Apple's amazing personal cloud service

- Written by Ian Osborne

Since it replaced MobileMe in 2013, iCloud has proved immensely popular. With iCloud, you can sync data across all your Apple devices, and access it through a web browser using the iCloud website, iCloud.com. An Apple Account comes with 5GB of free storage on your iCloud Drive, and you can buy more space with a monthly subscription. You can even keep track of your Apple gear in case it's lost or stolen, through the Find My app.

iCloud is built into all Apple's operating systems; that is, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS and visionOS. It's available for Microsoft Windows too, by downloading an app from the Microsoft Store at bit.ly/4jxEe32. iCloud is what this feature is all about. What it can do, how to use it, accessing iCloud through iCloud.com and more. We show you how it functions on all your Apple devices, and how you can get the most from it, whether you use the free service or a paid-for subscription tier.

What is iCloud?

Syncing

iCloud can sync data between Apple devices. So, if you add an event to your Calendar app on Mac, it also appears on your iPad and iPhone. Apps that can be synced includes Photos, Notes, Calendar, Reminders, Mail and Contacts.

What it doesn't do: If your device doesn’t have an active internet connection, it won't sync until it reconnects.

Sharing & collaboration

You can share and collaborate on a file or folder stored in your iCloud Drive. You can choose to send a copy to the other person, or work together on the document, allowing them to make edits, etc.

What it can't do: iCloud Drive collaboration requires an iCloud account. You can't collaborate with someone who doesn't have one.

Backups