How to understand and utilise the full power of Apple’s iCloud service
Keeping all of your Apple devices in sync, the iCloud service enables you to access key files and documents from anywhere. Every Apple ID is allocated 5GB of free online storage space, which is about the bare minimum one requires for basic use, but a cheap upgrade to your plan will unlock a plethora of additional iCloud+ features, as well as extra storage. You can access your iCloud settings by going to Settings/System Settings>Apple ID>iCloud, and we would certainly recommend enabling iCloud for all of the Apple apps that you use, to keep the documents and data synced for these apps across Mac and iOS.
Over the following pages, we’ll fill you in on the latest iCloud+ security features, and show you how to get the most out of iCloud across all of your Apple devices.
What is iCloud+?
Introduced alongside macOS Monterey and iOS 15 back in 2021, iCloud+ is an enhancement to the service that offers more online security options. Here is an overview of its key features.
Advanced Data Protection
This is a brand-new feature that you can access by scrolling down this screen. Select it, click ‘Turn On’ and set it up to encrypt your iCloud data end-to-end.
Upgrade to iCloud+
If you are currently operating on Apple’s free 5GB iCloud storage plan, then you will need to upgrade to a paid-for plan to utilise the new privacy benefits of iCloud+. Thankfully, you can get tons of extra storage for very reasonable prices.
1 Open the settings
Go to System Settings/Settings>Apple ID>iCloud and then click on the ‘Manage’ button in the upper-right corner. From there, click on ‘Add Storage’/‘Change Storage Plan’.
2 Choose a plan
All of the available storage plan upgrades will be listed, so pick on the one that is right for you. Any paid storage plan will unlock the privacy benefits of iCloud+.
3 Downgrade options
Click ‘Downgrade Options’ if you find that you aren’t maximising your current storage, or click ‘Change Apple One Plan‘ to consolidate all of your Apple subs into one monthly cost.
What apps use iCloud?
All of Apple’s own suite of apps that are universal across Mac and iOS use iCloud in some capacity. Some just use it for syncing info, others go even deeper. Here is a round-up of how the key apps use this service.
Photos
You can use iCloud to keep photos and videos up to date on all of your devices and access them at iCloud.com. You can also collaborate on shared photo and video albums.
Create an @iCloud.com email address and send and receive mail on all of your devices and on the web at iCloud.com. You can also get a custom email domain with iCloud+.
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