Read this article to learn how to view, save and access your files and data in iCloud, Apple's cloud storage app. All you need is an Apple ID to get 5 GB of free space on the service.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Accessing iCloud over the Internet
Step 1. Go to the iCloud website
Use any internet browser, whether on Windows or Chromebooks.
Step 2. Enter your Apple ID and password in the appropriate fields
Step 3. Click the ➲ button
It is in the right corner of the password part..
If you have enabled dual authentication, click "Allow" under "Other Device" and enter the six-digit code
Step 4. Access your data
With the applications available on iCloud over the internet, you can access or mess with any data you've saved or synchronized with the cloud.
- Only data and files synced or saved to iCloud are available in the service.
- iPhone, iPad or cloud computer backups are not accessible through iCloud - they can only be used to restore settings and documents to the device in question.
Step 5. Click Photos
That way, you'll be able to view, download or delete the images you've shared by devices synced with iCloud.
- click in albums to view your photos. The option is in the upper left corner.
- Click on "All Photos". It's one of the albums that appear on screen, most likely in the upper left corner. After your apps sync with iCloud, the photos will appear in the folder.
- To download a photo, click on it and then the "Download" button. It's a cloud-shaped button at the top of the screen.
- Choose a location to save the photos.
Step 6. Click iCloud Drive
This will open the Drive interface, with which you will be able to upload and download documents and files.
Click and drag the documents you want to save onto the Drive screen. They will now be available on any synced device, including iPhone and iPad
Step 7. Click Contacts
You will see the list of contacts synchronized on devices. Any changes or additions you make to the iCloud app will be reflected on the devices.
Step 8. Click Calendar
You will see the events and appointments you have added to the app on your synced device. If you add or edit any data, the changes will also be reflected on the devices.
Step 9. Click Search for iPhone
When you activate the "Search…" function on your Apple device, you will receive the device's location by iCloud. With this service, you can locate an iPhone, iPad, Mac or even AirPod.
Method 2 of 3: Syncing iCloud on iPhone or iPad
Step 1. Open the "Settings" menu
It is represented by a gear (⚙) and is usually on the home screen.
Step 2. Click on your Apple ID
It's at the top of the menu that contains your name and your photo (if you've added one).
- If you are not logged in, click on Log in to (device name), enter the ID and password, and click To enter once again.
- If you're using an older version of iOS, you might not need to go through this part.
Step 3. Click iCloud
The option is in the second section of the menu.
Step 4. Choose the data types you want to save to iCloud
To do this, slide the buttons beside the apps listed in the "Apps that use iCloud" section to the right (green, on) or left (white, off) side.
Scroll down the page to see the full list of apps using iCloud
Step 5. Click Photos
The option is at the top of the "Applications that use iCloud" section.
- Activate the option iCloud photo library to upload and save the camera roll images automatically to the cloud. When you turn it on, you'll be able to access your entire photo and video library from mobile or computer platforms.
- Activate the option my share to automatically upload new photos to iCloud whenever you connect to a Wi-Fi network.
- Activate the option Shared Albums if you want to create photo albums that your friends can also access from the internet or their Apple devices.
Step 6. Click iCloud
The option is in the upper left corner of the screen.
Step 7. Scroll down the page and click Keys
The option is at the end of the "Applications that use iCloud" section.
Step 8. Slide the "iCloud Keys" button to the right (green)
This will activate the function and make passwords and payment information available to devices that are using your Apple ID.
Apple does not have access to this encrypted information
Step 9. Click iCloud
The option is in the upper left corner of the screen.
Step 10. Scroll down the page and click Find iPhone
The option is at the end of the "Applications that use iCloud" section.
Step 11. Slide the "Search iPhone" button to the right (green)
This way, you will be able to find the device by accessing iCloud on a computer or mobile platform.
Activate the option Submit Last Location to have the device send location information to Apple when its battery is low.
Step 12. Click iCloud
The option is in the upper left corner of the screen.
Step 13. Scroll down the page and click Backup
The option is at the end of the "Applications that use iCloud" section.
Step 14. Slide the button next to "Backup" to the right (green)
This way, you'll automatically save all files, settings, app data, photos and music files to iCloud whenever your device is connected, locked or connected to a Wi-Fi network. With this backup, you can restore information from the cloud in case you change or lose the device.
Step 15. Slide the "iCloud Drive" button to the right (green)
That way, apps will be able to access and save data on iCloud Drive.
- All apps listed under iCloud Drive will have access to the cloud if the button is activated (green).
- You will now be able to access iCloud from any of the apps associated with the service, such as iCloud Drive, Photos, Calendar, and Pages.
Method 3 of 3: Syncing iCloud with a Mac
Step 1. Click on the Apple menu
It is in the upper left corner of the screen and is represented by the icon.
Step 2. Click System Preferences
The option is in the second section of the drop-down menu.
Step 3. Click iCloud
The option is on the left side of the window.
If you are not logged in, enter your Apple ID and password in the appropriate fields
Step 4. Check the option next to "iCloud Drive"
It is at the top of the right window. You will now be able to access and edit files and documents in iCloud.
- To do this, click on "iCloud Drive" in any of the "Save" boxes or drag the files to iCloud Drive, in the right frame of the Finder.
- Choose which apps will be allowed to access iCloud Drive; Click on the button options, next to "iCloud Drive" on the box.
Step 5. Choose the data types you want to sync to iCloud
To do this, check the fields under "iCloud Drive". For example: check "Photos" if you want to backup and access the camera images in the cloud. Now the selected data will stay in iCloud.
- You may have to scroll down the page to see all selections.
- Now, whenever you use a synced app (like Photos, Calendar, or Pages) on your Mac, you'll access and sync your content to iCloud.
Tips
- Every user has an initial 5GB of storage space in their iCloud account. If you want to buy more, click on the "Storage" section in the "Settings" menu.
- If you take photos with the "Live" option turned on, you can play them back by clicking the "Play" triangle in the upper right corner of the image when you open them.
Notices
- If your iPhone, iPad, or Mac doesn't have the latest version of iOS, you may experience functionality issues with iCloud.
- Some file types stored on iCloud Drive are not supported or playable in an iOS context.