As the usage time of an iPhone increases, the device's storage may gradually fill up with photos, videos, app data, and more, causing the device to slow down or even preventing the installation of new apps or system updates. To alleviate the issue of insufficient storage, many users choose to transfer their data to iCloud, thereby freeing up local storage on the iPhone. So, how to move iPhone storage to iCloud? This article will provide you with a detailed guide on various methods and steps.
Before we dive into how to move stuff to iCloud storage, it's important to understand the benefits you'll gain from doing so. Transferring iPhone data to iCloud offers the following benefits:
Before transferring iPhone data to iCloud, you need to make some preparations to ensure the upload process goes smoothly.
1. Check iCloud Storage Space
iCloud provides 5GB of free storage. If you have a large amount of data, you may need to upgrade your storage plan.
To check iCloud storage, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Open "Settings", and tap [Your Name] > "iCloud".
Step 2. Select "Manage Storage" to check the available space.
Step 3. If iCloud storage is insufficient, tap "Change Storage Plan" to purchase more space.
2. Ensure the iPhone is Connected to Wi-Fi
iCloud data transfer requires a stable internet connection. It's recommended to use Wi-Fi to avoid excessive cellular data usage.
3. Check iPhone Battery Level
It's recommended to have at least 50% battery or be connected to a charger before starting the data upload to prevent interruptions during the transfer.
4. Update iOS Version
Older iOS versions may affect iCloud synchronization. It's suggested to update to the latest system.
Here is how to update your iPhone:
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update".
Step 2. If an update is available, tap "Download and Install".
Once the preparations are complete, you can begin transferring your iPhone storage to iCloud.
Some apps (such as Contacts, Photos, Messages, Notes, etc.) allow you to store data in iCloud, reducing the use of local storage on your iPhone. However, you cannot choose specific files to upload. For example, when you enable photo sync, it will upload all your photos to iCloud.
How do I move storage from iPhone to iCloud?
Step 1. Open "Settings", and tap [Your Name] > "iCloud".
Step 2. Scroll to the bottom and find the target app under the "Apps Using iCloud" section.
Step 3. Turn on the toggle, and the app data will automatically upload to iCloud, no longer taking up iPhone storage.
Note: Not all apps support iCloud data storage; some apps may still occupy local storage space.
You can also choose to move your iPhone storage to iCloud Drive. iCloud Drive allows you to store documents, PDFs, presentations, and other files, which can be accessed on any Apple device.
Here is how to move things to iCloud storage:
Step 1. Go to iPhone "Settings" > [Your Name] > "iCloud".
Step 2. Tap "iCloud Drive" and turn on the toggle. (iCloud Drive not syncing?)
Step 3. Open the "Files" app, select the files you want to move, tap "Move", and choose "iCloud Drive" as the destination.
If you enjoy using Apple Music, you can subscribe to it and enable the Sync Library feature to upload your songs to iCloud.
Here is how to move iPhone storage to iCloud:
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Music".
Step 2. Turn on the "Sync Library" option. Additionally, you can enable the "Optimize Storage" option, which will automatically delete songs that haven't been played in a while.
Now you know how to move iPhone storage to iCloud but what can you do if you don't have enough iCloud storage and don't want to buy more? In that case, you can transfer your data to a computer instead, which will free up space on your phone's internal storage.
Coolmuster iOS Assistant is a professional iOS data management tool that supports backing up iPhone/iPad data (such as photos, videos, contacts, messages, app data, etc.) to a computer, avoiding the issue of insufficient iCloud storage. It also allows for easy data transfer between a computer and iOS devices, supports both Windows and Mac and provides a safer, more efficient storage management solution without the need to subscribe to an iCloud plan.
Highlights of iOS Assistant:
Here is how to back up your iPhone to the computer using iOS Assistant:
01Download and install the software on your computer. Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable.
02On your iPhone, tap "Trust" when prompted, and follow the on-screen instructions to allow the software to detect your device. Once your iPhone is recognized, the main interface will appear.
03To back up your entire iPhone, go to the "Super Toolkit" section and select "iTunes Backup & Restore". Click on "Backup" and choose your iPhone from the drop-down menu. Then, click "Browse" to select a folder on your computer where the backup will be saved. Click "OK" to start the backup.
If you only want to back up specific files, go to the "My Device" section and select the file types from the left panel. Preview and select the files you want to transfer, then click "Export" to back them up to your computer.
Video Tutorial:
Q1. How long does it take to back up an iPhone to iCloud?
It depends on the size of the data and the network speed. Typically, the first backup may take several hours, while subsequent incremental backups are much faster.
Q2. Since I have iCloud, why is my iPhone storage still full?
iCloud is mainly used for data synchronization, and many apps still store data locally on the iPhone. You can try optimizing storage or deleting unnecessary files.
That's all about how to move iPhone storage to iCloud. Although iCloud offers a convenient way to manage iPhone storage, its storage space is limited. If you need more storage or a more flexible management solution, Coolmuster iOS Assistant is an alternative worth trying. Try it now and easily free up iPhone storage space!
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