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User Guide on iCloud Storage Sharing Benefits

iCloud Storage Sharing Benefits: Many device owners are living in an Apple household. If you’re in the former, this tutorial is for you. Here you’ll learn more about Apple iCloud storage and how to maximize your savings using Apple Family Sharing.

What is iCloud?

Launched in 2011, iCloud is a cloud storage and cloud computing service. However, iCloud’s most difficult feature remains its ability to recover your Apple devices automatically each night in “the cloud.” Actually, iCloud is a series of server farms all around the world.

There’s also iCloud Drive, the latest feature that allows you to save any file manually. It includes images, videos, documents, and much more. From this area, you can sync contacts, bookmarks, calendars, mail, notes, voice memos, shared images, health data, call history, and other digital content. Also, iCloud Drive files get back up whenever you use them and accessible across several devices.

What About Security?

As one of the biggest technology companies in the world. However, Apple is continually working to enhance security on its devices and services. Certainly, unfortunately, security breaches have occurred, just as they have at other companies like Google, Facebook, and many others.

According to Apple’s latest security document, iCloud user data is secure using encryption when it’s in transit. However, also stored in an encrypted format. Apple uses end-to-end encryption to secure the most confidential personal information. For end-to-end encryption, Apple needs two-factor authentication (2FA). The company also recommends keeping your device’s software up-to-date to maintain high-security levels.

Currently, features and data that are transferred stored using end-to-end encryption include:

  • Apple HomeKit data
  • iCloud Keychain
  • Apple Pay and other payment information
  • QuickType Keyboard learned vocabulary
  • Screen Time information
  • Siri content
  • Apple Health data
  • Wi-Fi passwords

What Does It Cost?

Everyone using Apple ID receives 5 GB of iCloud storage for free. Besides the number of devices they own. However, the most expensive iPhone holding up to 512 GB in storage space. Also, it’s quite easy to view how 5 GB probably isn’t enough for most users. Therefore, Apple also offers subscription plans where you can let additional storage on a monthly or yearly basis.

Currently, you can buy 50 GB of iCloud storage for $0.99 per month, 200 GB for $2.99/month, and 2 TB for $9.99/month. When you select one of the higher-priced options, you can then share iCloud storage with your Apple Family members. You’ll also learn more about sharing iCloud storage below.

Increasing Your Storage Space – iCloud Storage Sharing Benefits

You can purchase extra iCloud storage space at any time by making a change on an iPhone or iPad:

Step 1:

On your iPhone or iPad, tap on the Settings app on your Home page.

Step 2:

Firstly, choose your name at the top of the page.

Step 3:

Select iCloud.

Step 4:

Click Manage Storage.

Step 5:

Choose Change Storage Plan.

From there, you can also upgrade or downgrade your iCloud storage plan. But it depends on your needs. Whenever you downgrade, the storage available limit your subscription ends.

Adding Family Members

As we earlier notice, you can add up to six family members to become part of an Apple Family Sharing group. Supposing you’ve chosen the 200 GB or 2 TB iCloud storage plan. Also, confirmed members automatically gain access to the increased storage across all of their Apple devices.

Inviting Family Members to Join

You can also ask family members to join your group using your mobile device as follows. Here’s how to:

Step 1:

Firstly, click the Settings app on your device.

Step 2:

Choose your name at the top.

Step 3:

Select Family Sharing.

Step 4:

Choose Add Family Member.

Step 5:

Also, select Invite via iMessage to invite something through text.

Step 6:

Click Invite in Person, then have them add their Apple ID and password onto your device.

Step 7:

Use Create a Child Account to add a minor.

What’s Backed Up on iCloud?

When someone suggests to iCloud Backup, we’re talking about items from your android devices that get copied and stored on a nightly basis. However, these backups occur when iCloud Backup is turned on in the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Also, your devices are attached to Wi-Fi and locked, and are also attached to a power source. iCloud Backup is available both on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch only. Apple Watch information, which syncs to the iPhone, also gets restore daily.

Apple can’t offer iCloud Backup on other devices, including Mac.

An iCloud Backup includes everything you want to recover an Apple device when it becomes important. However, this Backup includes app data, home screen settings, Apple Watch backups, device settings, and app organization, iMessage, text (SMS), and MMS messages, images, and videos on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, buy history from Apple services. Like your music, movies, apps, TV shows and books, ringtones, and Visual Voicemail.

Setting Up iCloud Backup – iCloud Storage Sharing Benefits

Let’s get started with iCloud Backup:

Step 1:

Firstly, on your iPhone or iPad, click on the Settings app on your Home page.

Step 2:

Choose your name at the top of the page.

Step 3:

Click iCloud.

Step 4:

Select iCloud Backup.

Step 5:

Also, Toggle on iCloud Backup.

From now on, your device will receive an automatic back up, supposing it’s attached to Wi-Fi, is locked, and attached to a power source. However, if any of these requirements aren’t met, it will attempt another recovery or backup the following night, and so on so forth.

However, if you leave or miss an automatic backup, you can then start a manual one at any time. To do so:

Step 1:

Firstly, on your iPhone or iPad, click on the Settings app on your Home page.

Step 2:

Choose your name at the top of the page.

Step 3:

Click iCloud.

Step 4:

Select iCloud Backup.

Step 5:

Click Back Up Now.

Changing What’s Backed Up

There’s little flexibility as to what you can Backup using a daily iCloud Backup. You’re limited to whether particular app data gets backed up. By default, apps that support iCloud get restore.

To modify this:

Step 1:

Firstly, On your iPhone or iPad, click on the Settings app on your Home page.

Step 2:

Choose your name at the top of the page.

Step 3:

Click iCloud.

Step 4:

Also, toggle apps under Apps Using iCloud.

Using iCloud Drive

Make sure iCloud Drive is where you can manually save, access, and edit individual files across several devices. You can also access content using an iCloud Drive on your android devices and by logging into iCloud.com across all your PC, Mac or otherwise. You can also have all the files in the Desktop and Documents folders on your Mac save automatically in iCloud Drive. By doing so, you can store files right where you usually keep them on your Mac. Also, they are available on iCloud.com and all your devices.

To find your iCloud Drive:

  • From a supported browser, use iCloud Drive at iCloud.com.
  • You can also move to iCloud Drive in Finder on your Mac.
  • On your iPhone or iPad, you can also access your files from the Files app.
  • Also, on your computer with Windows 7 or later and iCloud for Windows, move to iCloud Drive in File Explorer.

iCloud Photos and Messages in the Cloud

Two other types of files are saved on iCloud i.e Photos and Messages in the Cloud. Using iCloud Photos, all of your images and videos are accessible across your different devices and synced automatically. Messages in the Cloud,  make messaging work more like an IMAP email. Therefore, received messages display on every iOS and macOS device signed in to the same Apple ID.

Additionally, using Messages in iCloud, all your messages, images, and message attachments are saved in iCloud, freeing up space on your devices. However, when you remove a message or conversation on one device, it’s deleted on all your devices. You don’t have to delete them on each device separately.

How Much Space is Being Used?

Apple Family members sharing group can view how much storage is being used by the group. However, users cannot view or access the files of others.

To view the family storage:

On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Step 1:

Initially, on your iPhone or iPad, click on the Settings app on your Home page.

Step 2:

Choose your name at the top of the page.

Step 3:

Click iCloud.

Step 4:

Select Manage Storage.

Step 5:

Click Family Usage.

On the Family Usage page, you can also view the amount of storage each family member uses. However, the organizer, at any time, can finish sharing iCloud storage from this same page by clicking Stop Sharing With Family.

After selecting one of the two larger packages, you can share iCloud storage with members of your family and store money. The sharing of storage is just one of the advantages of creating an Apple Family. As earlier explained, you can also share or send digital products with family members. It includes apps, e-books, movies, music, and much more. Best of all, besides iCloud storage, you can also share this content with family members for free.

Conclusion:

Here’s all about “iCloud Storage Sharing Benefits”. For further queries and questions let us know in the comment section below!

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Alex Joshua

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