How to Clear iCloud Storage? 6 Easy Methods to Clear Up the Unwanted Data

Prakhar Shivhare Written by Prakhar Shivhare
Updated on
Jun 27, 2026

Using your iPhone with an iCloud account comes with so many challenges. As you all know, the file size of videos and photos is usually large on iOS devices. This is why learning how to clear iCloud storage is becoming a necessity nowadays. Check out this guide till the end, and try the 6 different methods that can help you to declutter your iCloud storage to store more memories.

At a glance 

To clear iCloud storage effectively and without the fear of losing crucial data, you need to follow 6 easy steps: 

  • Deleted the files you don’t want now, including images, videos, and PDFs. 
  • Reduce the Backup Listing of the apps that don’t contain any useful information.
  • Start using external devices for storing utilities instead of paying more for cloud storage. 
  • Clear the cache regularly of the apps to prevent trash collection in your iCloud servers.
  • Uninstalling unwanted apps that you don’t use often, as they take up space with no use. 
  • Turn off backups of all the unnecessary things.

How to Clear iCloud Storage: 6 Tried and Tested Methods 

To clear all the junk files and add new memories to your iCloud storage, the foremost thing you need to do is select and remove all the older pieces of data, and if you are still unsatisfied, then make sure to follow methods like: 

1. Clear Mail Storage 

The first thing you need to do is to check whether the mail backups on iCloud are ON or OFF. As in mobile, you can limit the data protection and storage management within a few clicks, while you require data recovery software for Mac. So, in your iPhone: 

  • Open Settings.
    Open Settings.
  • Then Tap on your Profile Icon.
    Tap on profile icon
  • Tap on iCloud.
    ap on iCloud
  • In this catalog, you will see multiple options saved to iCloud, and check whether the mail backup is disabled. 

2. Delete Unwanted Photos 

Most of your iPhone storage is filled because of unwanted photos or videos stored in duplicate. So to delete them, you need to follow some easy steps: 

  • In the same iCloud settings, tap on iCloud Backup.
     tap on iCloud backup
  • Tap on iCloud Photos.
    tap on iCloud
  • Click on Review Photos and Videos.
    Click on Review Photos and Videos.
  • Then, here you will find the Duplicates option. Tap on it 
     tap on duplicates
  • Select the Duplicates. 
    Select the Duplicates
  • Then, Delete one of them by tapping on Merge 2 Exact Copies.
    Delete one of them by tapping on Merge 2 Exact Copies 
Also Read

3. Turn Off Unnecessary Backups

Sometimes the storage that is filling up wasn’t your fault; it’s the system behavior that is working in favor of storing unnecessary things in our devices. Well, to avoid these hampering situations, you can do an easy setting. 

  • Come to the same iCloud page again 
    Open iCloud settings
  • Tap on See All next to Saved to iCloud.
    Tap on See all
  • Here you will see a catalog of apps that are storing their data, so just disable them. 
    Disable app data

4. Move Some Data To External Drives 

Hard Drive Backup 

People are spending 100s of dollars every month just for purchasing bits of storage on cloud servers, which seems costly if you want to preserve data in the long run. That’s why buying items like hard drives and SSDs makes more sense, as you will get a permanent set of data storage that stays forever on your desk, and you won’t stumble upon the internet again and again for asking how to clean up iCloud storage.

5. Uninstall Unwanted Apps 

There are so many apps in our system that we don’t need anymore, but they are just being kept on the shelf in the memories of devices and sending their app data to the iCloud, so to avoid this situation, we need to delete apps on iPhone using steps like: 

  • Open the App Library. 
    Open App Library 
  • Search for the app you want to choose.
    Search for the Apps
  • Hold on to the App icon, and hold it to see options, then press the Delete App button.
    press the delete app button
  • Tap on Delete.
    Tap on Delete

6. Delete Messages Data

Lastly, we recommend clearing the messages, images, and videos sent to the old conversation that you don’t see anymore so that your iCloud can take in more new texts and other utilities. To do this thing simply, just:  

  • Come back to iCloud settings and tap on See all.
    Tap on See All. 
  • Tap on Messages in iCloud.
    Tap on messages in Cloud
  • Tap on In iCloud
    Select in iCloud
  • Tap on Turn Off and Delete from iCloud 
    Tap on Turn Off and Delete from iCloud
Also Read

Conclusion 

These are some simple methods which you can use to clear your iCloud storage, and among them, there are some preventive measures also, like turning off backups and using external storage devices like hard drives as well. 

Doing these practices can make your device stable and prevent you from having to buy more storage to preserve your memories. At last, we hope that you’ve found this article useful, and for more such updates, follow Datarecovee 

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get 50GB or 200GB iCloud storage?

Ans: For moderate users, 50GB of space is more than enough, but if you are someone who takes tons of photos, then 200GB might be an ideal choice for you. 

How many photos can 200GB hold?

Ans: On average, 200 GB of iCloud storage can store up to 50,000 to 60,000 photos in high quality, and if you compress them, then it can store more than 2,00,000  images at once. 

Will I lose my photos if I stop paying for iCloud storage?

Ans: No, you won’t lose your photos if you stop buying iCloud storage immediately, but instead you will lose all your accessibility in 30 days after they get deleted from the server.

Related Posts
How to Back Up MacBook with Time Machine? A Step-by-Step Guide

We all have years of photos, documents, projects, passwords, and personal files on Mac. But a failed update, drive failure,…

macOS External Drive Backup
Best macOS External Drive Backup Software for Reliable Mac Backups in 2026

A failed macOS update, a damaged SSD, accidental deletion, or an external drive issue can wipe out years of work…

syncing with icloud
Why is Syncing with iCloud Paused and How to Fix It?

iCloud is a great tool to keep your photos, messages, notes, and files synced across Apple devices. But sometimes, you…

SATA Hard Drive
What is a SATA Hard Drive? Meaning, Uses, and How it Works

If you have ever upgraded a PC, checked your laptop, or searched for a new hard drive, you have probably…