Apple’s amazing cloud computing service is no mystery. Here’s what it does
The iCloud service stores your important data such as photos, files, backups and more on Apple’s servers. iCloud.com. You can also use iCloud to sync information such as notes, contacts, Safari favourites, reminders, wallet info and more across your Apple gear. Write a note on your iPad, and you can review it on your Mac and iPhone. Add a contact on your iPhone, and it also appears on your Mac and iPad. All this can then be accessed using any of your Apple devices, or on the web at
When you sign up for your Apple ID, you’re automatically given an iCloud.com email address and 5GB of free storage. If – or perhaps when – you run out of space, you can get more with a monthly subscription.
Syncing
You can sync data across your Apple devices using iCloud, and also access it on iCloud.com. Apps that can sync in this way include Contacts, Notes, Calendar, Safari, News, Messages and more. You can sync some third-party apps in this way too.
To turn on iCloud syncing on a per-app basis, in your Settings app (on iPhone/ iPad) and System Settings/ System Preferences (on Mac), go to [your name] > iCloud and tap Show All/ Show More Apps. Then switch it on.
What it doesn’t do More and more third-party apps offer iCloud syncing where appropriate, but don’t expect it to sync every app. You need an internet connection to sync.
Storage
As well as data syncing, you can store files and folders on iCloud using iCloud Drive. Apple’s iWork apps (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) save to their own folders on iCloud Drive, and you can create your own folders for other data just like you can in any other Finder folder.
Data stored in iCloud Drive is accessible from anywhere, and edits made on one device show up on all the others. You can access your iCloud Drive from a Finder window’s sidebar or a mobile device’s Files app.
What it doesn’t do It doesn’t offer infinite storage space. Keep too much on your iCloud Drive and your free 5GB is soon gone, though you can buy more with a subscription.
Sharing & collaboration
Whether you’re on your Mac or a mobile device, you can share or collaborate on a file using iCloud. Just open the file in question, tap/click on the Share button and choose Collaborate or Send Copy from the drop-down menu at the top of the window. You can then send the invitation or file using Messages, Mail, social media accounts and more.
If you collaborate, you then work on a file together, with edits shared. Send Copy sends a copy of the file. You can also Ctrl-click or tap and hold the file and choose Share from here.
What it doesn’t do You can only collaborate on a file in your iCloud Drive. If it’s on your local device, you have to move it to the
