The fastest way to clear space on iCloud is to delete large photos, videos, backups, and message attachments, then adjust apps to store less.
Running low on iCloud storage stops backups, blocks new photos from syncing, and throws alerts across your devices. This guide gives you a clean, step-by-step plan to free up room now and keep things tidy next week, next month, and beyond. You’ll see where space goes, how to trim safely, and settings that keep usage low without breaking your routine.
What’s Filling Your iCloud Storage
On iPhone or iPad: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Account Storage shows a color bar and an ordered list by size. On Mac: System Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage. On the web: iCloud.com > Account Settings > Storage. Start at the top of that list and work down.
Quick Map Of Big Hogs
The items below are the usual heavy hitters. Tackle the top two or three and you’ll make a dent fast.
| Category | Where To Manage | Fast Action |
|---|---|---|
| iCloud Photos | Photos app > Albums > Videos / Recently Deleted | Delete long 4K clips; empty Recently Deleted |
| Device Backups | Settings > [name] > iCloud > Backups | Remove old device backups you no longer need |
| Messages In iCloud | Messages > Conversations > Info | Clear chat attachments, large threads, and stickers |
| iCloud Drive | Files app / Finder > iCloud Drive | Sort by size; trash archives and exports |
| Mail app > Mailboxes > Trash / Sent | Purge Trash and large attachments | |
| App Data | Manage Account Storage list | Delete cached data from apps you no longer use |
Clear Storage In iCloud: Fast Path
This section cuts space now with low-risk moves. Work top-down. If an app category is small, skip it and keep moving.
Step 1: Trim Videos And Bursts In Photos
Videos dominate for many users. In Photos on iPhone or iPad, go to Albums > Videos, then sort by longest duration. Delete 4K clips you don’t need. Head to Albums > Bursts and prune extras; bursts stack dozens of frames. Finish by opening Recently Deleted and tapping Delete All to reclaim the space.
Using a Mac, open Photos, pick the Videos smart album, sort by size or duration, and remove the worst offenders. Empty Recently Deleted on Mac too. If you shoot ProRAW or ProRes, clear test shots and drafts first; a handful of samples can consume gigabytes.
Step 2: Remove Old Device Backups
Many people carry backups for phones and tablets they sold years ago. In Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Backups, tap a listed backup to see its date and size. Remove backups for devices you no longer have. Keep the one for the device you use today.
While you’re there, review the backup size for your current device and turn off app data you can re-download later (streaming apps, maps caches, and similar). That keeps the next backup lighter.
Step 3: Delete Heavy Chat Attachments
Messages stores photos, videos, voice notes, stickers, and shared files. Open a large conversation, tap the name, and review Photos, Videos, and Documents. Delete screen recordings, long audio snippets, and repeated memes. Repeat for group chats that send lots of clips.
If you store messages across devices with the cloud service, a cleanup on one device syncs everywhere. That’s handy for fast gains.
Step 4: Sweep iCloud Drive
Open Files on iPhone or iPad, tap iCloud Drive, and sort by size. Look for exported edits, “final_v3.zip” type archives, one-off PDFs, and folders created by apps you no longer use. Delete, then visit Recently Deleted in Files and empty it.
On a Mac, open Finder > iCloud Drive, choose View > As List, add the Size column, and sort by size. Move long-term archives to local storage or an external drive if you still need them.
Step 5: Lighten Mail
Search in Mail for “has:attachment” and sort by size. Remove large newsletters, promo bundles, and outdated reports. Empty Trash and Junk. If you use mail rules that stash copies, tidy those folders too.
Set Smart Defaults So Space Stays Free
Once you claw back room, lock in settings that prevent a quick relapse. Two or three switches can cut usage week after week.
Use Device Storage Optimization
On iPhone or iPad: Photos > Settings > iCloud > Photos > Optimize iPhone Storage keeps smaller device copies while originals sit in the cloud. On Mac: Photos > Settings > iCloud > Optimize Mac Storage behaves the same. If you shoot lots of video, this reduces local pressure without blocking edits and shares.
Tighten Messages Attachment Retention
In Settings > Messages, set Keep Messages to 1 Year or 30 Days. This trims old threads automatically. You can also open Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Messages to review Top Conversations, Photos, Videos, GIFs, and Other and then clear by type. That screen is a quick way to spot space drains.
Exclude Bulky Apps From Backups
Open Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Backups > This iPhone. In the list of apps, turn off ones that re-download content from the cloud or a server. Map caches, streaming apps, and some game assets fall into this bucket. Your next backup runs smaller and faster.
Move Long-Term Archives Off iCloud Drive
iCloud Drive is great for working documents and active folders. For permanent storage of exports, installers, and raw project dumps, use local storage or an external drive. Keep the cloud for current files and the archive shelf for old sets. That single habit keeps the storage graph flat.
Recover From Mistakes Safely
Deleted something you still need? Open Recently Deleted in Photos or Files and restore it. Time windows differ by app, so check soon after a cleanup session. On the web, the account portal provides recovery for some items under Data Recovery and app-specific Recently Deleted views. Restore to bring the item back, then re-decide if it belongs in the archive or the bin.
Link-Out Proof Points You Can Trust
When you need the rulebook or step-by-step screens from the source, these official pages help:
- Manage iCloud storage — official walkthrough with platform-specific steps.
- iCloud Photos — how the photo library and device-level optimization work.
Photo Library Deep Clean
Large gains often come from pictures and clips. Here’s a safe way to thin a bloated library without losing memories you care about.
Target The Biggest Batches First
- Videos smart album: Sort by duration. Cut long screen recordings, time-lapses, and slow-mo tests.
- Duplicates view: Merge true duplicates to keep one copy.
- Bursts: Keep the best frame; delete the rest.
- Edits and exports: Remove intermediate versions after you deliver the final.
Empty The Bins
After a pass, open Recently Deleted and clear it. Until you empty that folder, the space isn’t reclaimed. Do this on the device you used for cleanup so the change syncs fast.
Backup Strategy That Saves Space
The goal is a backup you can restore in a pinch without paying for storage you don’t need. A little planning goes a long way.
Keep One Current Cloud Backup Per Device
Old backups exist only for phones and tablets you no longer own. Remove them. For the device you carry, keep cloud backup on so daily changes are safe. Exclude apps that bloat size and re-download content anyway.
Add A Local Safety Net
Plug the phone into a computer and run a local encrypted backup now and then. This protects you during big photo cleanup sessions and lets you keep fewer items in the cloud while still having a restore path.
iCloud Drive: Sort, Cull, And Delete For Good
Working files belong here; long-term archives usually don’t. The Files app on iPhone or iPad and Finder on Mac both support sorting by size. Start with the largest items you don’t use anymore: old ZIPs, logs from exports, duplicate “final” folders, abandoned project copies. Delete, then visit Recently Deleted in Files to free the space for real.
Know Which Folders Grow Fast
- Downloads: Many apps save exports here. Clear these after shipments and sign-offs.
- Screen Recordings: Short clips pile up while testing. Sweep weekly.
- PDF Batches: Signed forms and reports linger. File long-term copies outside the cloud if you must keep them.
Mail: Trim Attachments And Old Folders
Search for big items first. In the Mail app, filter for messages with attachments and sort by size. Delete outdated reports, duplicate newsletters, and large promo mail. Empty Trash and Junk. If you keep copies in custom folders, archive offline or remove them once they’re no longer active.
Ongoing Settings That Keep Usage Low
Flip a few switches and you’ll slow growth to a crawl. These settings trade excess storage for smoother daily use.
| Setting | Where | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Optimize Device Storage | Photos settings on iPhone, iPad, Mac | Keeps smaller device copies; originals stay in the cloud |
| Limit Message History | Settings > Messages > Keep Messages | Old chats auto-prune; fewer attachments persist |
| Exclude Large Apps From Backup | iCloud Backup > This iPhone | Cuts backup size; faster nightly backups |
| Review Drive Monthly | Files / Finder > iCloud Drive | Catch ZIPs and exports before they pile up |
| Empty Recently Deleted | Photos, Files, Mail | Reclaims space after cleanups |
Safe-Delete Checklist Before You Tap Delete
- Redundancy: If the item matters, keep a second copy on a local drive before deleting the cloud copy.
- Shared Albums: Removing a photo from your library doesn’t always remove it from shared spaces; check both if needed.
- Recently Deleted: Empty it to see the storage bar drop.
- Recovery Window: Restores expire; don’t wait if you need to bring something back.
Troubleshooting: Space Doesn’t Update Or The Bar Looks Wrong
Sometimes the storage bar lags after a large cleanup. Plug in, connect to Wi-Fi, and leave the device locked for a bit to let indexing and uploads finish. If Photos seems stuck, open the app and keep it on screen while connected. For stubborn cases, sign out of the account and sign back in on one device, then give it time to resync. Also check for a second device still uploading a huge library or backup; one chatty device can refill space you just freed.
When Upgrading Storage Makes Sense
If you shoot daily video, carry multiple devices, or share a large library with your family, a bigger plan can save time. Cleanup still matters, but paying for more headroom avoids weekly micro-management. Set the plan once, enable optimization on each device, and do a quick monthly pass through Videos, Drive, and Backups. That combo keeps storage steady with minimal effort.
Quick Start Template You Can Repeat
Here’s a repeatable flow that works every time:
- Open Manage Account Storage and note the top two categories by size.
- Trim Videos in Photos and empty Recently Deleted.
- Remove old device backups and exclude bulky apps from the current backup.
- Sort iCloud Drive by size; delete archives and exports; empty Recently Deleted.
- Search Mail for big attachments; delete and empty Trash.
- Set optimization in Photos, set Keep Messages to 1 Year, and review backup app toggles.
You’re Done: Space Cleared, Habits Set
You’ve removed the biggest storage hogs, set smarter defaults, and built a quick routine to keep things lean. The next time the storage bar creeps up, repeat the template. It’s fast, safe, and keeps your devices syncing without nag screens or stalled backups.