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What Is iCloud? And How Do I Use It?
Everything you need to know about Apple's cloud storage app
By Daniel Nations Daniel Nations Writer University of Texas at Arlington Daniel Nations has been a tech journalist since 1994. His work has appeared in Computer Currents, The Examiner, and other publications. He is a developer who has published apps in the Apple App Store, Google Play marketplace and Amazon Appstore; he also has worked as a data analyst and DB administrator. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 7, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Apple iPad Macs iCloud is the generic name for all of the services Apple delivers through the internet, whether that's on a Mac, iPhone, or a PC running Windows (an iCloud for Windows client is available). These services include iCloud Drive, which is similar to Dropbox and Google Drive; iCloud Photo Library, which is an offshoot of Photo Stream; iTunes Match; and even Apple Music. iCloud also provides you with a way to back up your iPad in case you need to restore it at a future point, and while you can download the iWork suite to your iPad from the App Store, you can also run Pages, Numbers, and Keynote on your laptop or desktop PCs through icloud.com. iCloud Plus: What It Is and How to Use It
pixelfit / Getty Images iCloud Features And How to Use Them
Here are some of the features you get with iCloud, along with some tips on how to use them: iCloud Backup and Restore
Apple provides 5 GB of free iCloud storage for Apple ID accounts, the credentials you use to log in to the App Store and buy apps. You can use this storage for many purposes, including storing photos, but it's perhaps best used for backing up your devices. If you ever forget your iCloud password, you can recover it. By default, every time you plug your iPhone or iPad into a wall outlet or a computer, the iPad tries to back itself up to iCloud. You can also manually initiate a backup by opening the Settings app and navigating to iCloud > Backup > Back Up Now. You can restore from a backup by following the procedure to reset your iPad to factory default, then choosing to restore from the backup during the setup process of the iPad. If you upgrade to a new iPad, you can also choose to restore from a backup, which makes the upgrade process seamless. Find My Device
Another important iCloud feature is the Find My iPhone/iPad/MacBook service. Not only can you use this to track down the whereabouts of your device, you can also use it to lock down the iPad if it's lost or remotely reset it to factory default, which erases all data. While tracking your iPad wherever it travels can seem creepy, it also combines with putting a passcode lock on your iPad to make it quite secure. iCloud Drive
Apple's cloud storage solution isn't quite as smooth as Dropbox, but it ties in well with the iPad, iPhone, and Macs. You can also access iCloud Drive from Windows, so you aren't locked into Apple's ecosystem. ICloud Drive is a service that allows apps to store documents on the internet, so you can access those files from multiple devices. You can create a Numbers spreadsheet on your iPad, for example, and then access it from your iPhone, pull it up on your Mac to make edits, and even use your Windows-based PC to modify it by signing into iCloud.com. iCloud Photo Library Shared Photo Albums and My Photo Stream
My Photo Stream is a service that uploads every picture taken to the cloud and downloads it onto every other device signed up for My Photo Stream. You may not want every photo uploaded to the internet, however. If you take a picture of a product in a store so you can remember the brand name or model number, that picture will find its way onto every other device. Still, the feature can be a life-saver for those who want the photos taken on their iPhone to transfer to their iPad without doing any work. Unfortunately, My Photo Stream photos disappear after 30 days, and it can hold a maximum of 1,000 photos at a time. iCloud Photo Library is the new version of Photo Stream. The big difference is that it actually uploads the photos to iCloud permanently, so you don't have to worry about the maximum number of photos. You can also upload the entire image or an optimized version that doesn't take up as much storage space. Unfortunately, iCloud Photo Library isn't part of iCloud Drive. Apple decided to keep the photos separate and, while they advertise the photos are easily accessible on your Mac or Windows-based PC, the actual usability is poor. But, as a service, iCloud Photo Library is still useful even if Apple hasn't quite nailed the idea of cloud-based photos. Contacts Calendars Reminders Notes and More
Many of the basic apps that come with the iPad can utilize iCloud to sync between devices. So, if you want to access notes from your iPad and your iPhone, you can simply turn on Notes in the iCloud section of your iPad's settings. Similarly, if you turn on Reminders, you can use Siri to set a reminder on your iPhone and it will also appear on your iPad. Apple Music
Apple Music is Apple's answer to Spotify, a subscription-based service that lets you stream an incredibly large selection of music. This music service is a great way to save on buying songs all the time. You can even download tracks from Apple Music, so you can listen if you aren't connected to the internet, and you can organize your library into playlists. FAQ How do you access iCloud photos? You can find your iCloud photos in the Photos app. Open it and tap on the Photos tab to see your pics. Tap on the Albums tab to see My Albums, Shared Albums, People & Places, and more. You can also go to the iCloud website to access your photos. How can you reset your iCloud password? You use your Apple ID to log into iCloud. To reset your Apple ID/iCloud password, tap Settings on your iPhone, and select your name > Password & Security > Change Password. If prompted, enter the passcode, then follow the on-screen instructions to change the password for your Apple ID. How do you turn off iCloud's music library? The Sync Library feature lets you access your music on all devices and is available to Apple Music subscribers. If you want to turn off iCloud's music library, tap Settings on your iPhone or iPad > Music > turn Sync Library off. On a Mac, open the Apple Music app > select Music > Preferences > General > turn Sync Library off. How much is iCloud storage? iCloud automatically comes with 5 GB of storage space. If you want to upgrade, three plans are available: 50 GB, 200 GB, and 2 TB. Prices vary by region. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Transfer Files Between an iPhone and a Mac How to Transfer Messages from iPhone to iPhone How to Set up and Use iCloud on the iPad How to Restore an iPad to Factory Default Using iTunes How to Turn on Photo Stream and iCloud Photo Sharing How to Factory Reset an iPhone (All Models) How to Access iCloud Photos From Any Apple, Windows, or Android Device How to Recover Deleted Text Messages on Any Phone How to Expand the Storage on Your iPad How to Use iCloud For Windows How to Recover Permanently Deleted Photos From iCloud How to Restore Your iPhone From a Backup How to Set up a New iPhone How to Use an iPad With an Android Phone How to Use Photos on Apple TV My Photo Stream vs. iCloud Photo Library: What's the Difference? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies