What is iCloud? Feature, Prices, Storage, Uses in 2023

Apple offers a cloud-based storage service, iCloud, which allows you to save and sync your photos, documents, films, music, and more. It is possible to access your iCloud data across all your Apple devices using that similar Apple ID, from re-downloading games and apps to streaming films and TV shows. You should be aware of iCloud for iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

What is iCloud?

 The first time we heard of it, Apple pitched the Mac as the digital hub of our lives. Our iPods (and later iPhones) could sync via an Ethernet cable to transfer information. When we added iPads, it turned into an issue. Steve removed the Mac from being an electronic device and created “the “cloud” as the center of our digital lives. 

The cloud service allows users to transfer all their data through the air. For example, a Keynote document you’ve edited by you on your Mac will be automatically updated with the most recent changes to the iPad and iPhone. iCloud also lets you back up your iOS device, giving you an easy way to switch devices without the need to manually set up everything.

The issue with this initial iCloud pitch is that it did not include all our photographs. We didn’t realize that till iCloud Photos came in iOS 8. It didn’t include iMessage since it wasn’t available until a few years back when messages were stored on the cloud. It did not cover all of our files, only those stored in the iCloud folder, which is located within folders for apps. It wasn’t until we had seamless sync of our files that Apple included Desktop and Document folders and synchronization a few years ago.

iCloud storage plans

Apple offers four levels of iCloud monthly that you can select to connect your iPhones, iPad, Macs, and even certain Windows computers.

• Free 5GB of storage
• $0.99 monthly for 50GB storage
• $2.99 monthly for 200GB storage
• $9.99 monthly for storage space of 2TB

Apple One storage plan

There are many levels of Apple One, and you will get a larger amount of storage on iCloud with each level, and based on what you’re using it for, it could result in an economic tradeoff. So if you don’t make use of any of Apple’s other ancillary subscription services, keep purchasing iCloud storage by itself. However, if you use the other Apple services, it may make you more money.

Apple One Individual Plan ($14.95 per month): This option includes up to 50GB of iCloud storage for one user, in addition to accessibility to Apple Music, Apple TV+ along with Apple Arcade.

Apple One Family Plan ($19.95 per month): If you have family members or friends looking to purchase iCloud storage, the Family Plan is a great alternative. It’s not just 200GB of storage space, but you also have access to the various other Apple services that you may already be using, such as Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade which can be shared with five other people.

Apple One Premier Plan ($29.95 per month): This option provides 2TB of storage on iCloud as well as accessibility to Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and Apple Fitness+ to share with five other users.

How do I sign in to iCloud for iPhone and iPad?

Open the Settings on your iPhone.

You’ll see the gray gear icon on the Home screen, within your list of apps, or in the library.

Then tap login to the app on your iPhone or iPad. 

If you’re not logged in, you’ll find the option to log in in the middle of the screen.

If you’re already signed in to an account, you notice your name as the account’s proprietor at the top instead of the account’s name. It is possible to switch to another account by pressing the name of the sign-in account, then selecting to sign out.

Enter your  Apple ID login. 

This is your account’s email and the password you have associated with the Apple ID.

If you’re unable to remember your password or want to set up a new account on iCloud, hit Forgot your Apple Password or ID? and follow the instructions on the screen.

You can also reset a forgotten iCloud password on the web at https://iforgot.apple.com.^[1]

Hit log in.

Verify your password. 

You must confirm that you have your iPhone and iPad’s password to complete the sign-in process. After you’ve signed in, creating an iCloud account for synchronizing your data across multiple devices is easy.

Based on your security preferences and whether or not your system is using Two-factor authentication and two-factor authentication, you might require confirmation of your authentication on the device you trust. ^[2]The trusted device may comprise the iPhone, iPad, or Mac, depending on the device you used to set up.

There may be an option to combine certain data while you log in, for example, data from your Safari browsing history and News data. If you merge the data, all information about your browsing or news stored on your smartphone will automatically be synced with your iCloud account.

Select your iCloud sync preferences. 

Once you’re signed in to iCloud, you’ll be able to determine which data you want to sync automatically:

• Within the Settings app, tap on your name, then select iCloud.
• Within the “Apps using iCloud” section Click “Show All to show all your choices. After that, you can make use of the sliders to switch iCloud sync for every service off or on each one by one.
• Click Pictures to select whether you want to transfer your photos to a cloud and shared albums. If you choose to sync your pictures, they can be accessed everywhere, including the Photos app on your Mac and your personal computer.

How do I back up my iPhone or iPad with iCloud

If you’re sure, your storage has sufficient backup space, click iCloud Backup near the lower right of your screen. There’ll be a list of devices being backed up via the iCloud account.

If you don’t see backups on this list, none is backup to iCloud. You can enable iCloud Backups by enabling the first switch.

On the lower part of the display, you have the option to tap the button to Back Up Now; tap that to begin your initial backup. An iCloud backup won’t save the information already within the iCloud account. Therefore, your videos and photos will not be backed up. But, the backup could be too large for the available storage space, or it might reduce storage to the point that you’ll require more space.

When the backup for the first time has been completed, tap the device towards the lower right on display. Here you can see the date that the backup was completed, how big it is, and how bigger the next backup should be, and you’ll see a list of applications that will need to save information.

How do I switch on Messages within iCloud?

To enable Messages for Messages in iCloud, ensure that you’ve set up iCloud and authenticated using your same Apple account on all of your devices. Additionally, you will need to have two-factor authentication using the Apple ID and have turned on the iCloud Keychain.

iPhone, iPad, then iPod Touch users

To enable Messages on iCloud for the device you own, such as your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, Follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap on your name at the top
3. Tap iCloud
4. Turn on Messages

Mac users

To turn on Messages within iCloud to your Mac to enable Messages, follow these steps:

1. Start Messages from your Mac
2. Choose the Messages menu from the upper left corner
3. Click on Preferences in the menu
4. Click iMessage
5. Choose the box next to Enable Messages on iCloud

Cons and pros of using iCloud

Pros Of iCloud Storage

1. Accessibility to files. You can view your files online through iCloud.com, the app available on iOS devices, and the Finder for Your Mac computer. There is also an application to run on Windows OS.

In the occasion of a failure of your hard drive or any other malfunctioning hardware, it is possible to easily access your data on the cloud using the device you are using.

2. Recovery. Another benefit to iCloud storage is its ability to make the recovery of files effortless.

Simply put, iCloud backs up files stored locally or on physical drives that are in the cloud. So, in case there’s any issue with your device or storage on your local device, you will be able to quickly access important documents and files by using a different device.

3. Less expensive than physical storage. The purchase of physical storage can be extremely expensive. Additionally, the hardware components and physical storage can be another way of incurring costs associated with physical storage.

But, since there is no need for hardware, cloud storage is significantly affordable per GB.

4. Security. Through iCloud storage services, you can be sure that layers of encryption secure your data in the cloud. This means that unauthorized people would be unable to access your files or documents.

5. Synchronizing and Updating. If you’re working with iCloud storage, each when you update an existing file, it will automatically be synced to be updated on all your devices.

Cons of iCloud Storage

1. You will require Internet access.

When you are looking to back up your iPhone files, then you have to be connected to a Wi-Fi network. Without this, backup wouldn’t be possible.

2. Security concerns

This is a major problem. The fact that you are giving your personal information to an outside party raises an opportunity for someone not authorized can be able to access your data.

3. Some files are not included in the iCloud backup.

For instance, media files you did not purchase from the iTunes Store will not be included.

4. Slow Transfer for large sized file

Many people have noticed that the massive files are moving very slowly.

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