iCloud is inseparable from Apple devices. If you want to know what iCloud is and how logging in works, read this tip.
What is iCloud?
Anyone with an iPhone or Mac has come across iCloud. It may seem like a vague service, but it is actually very simple. iCloud is the place where all your files are collected. The cloud service stores photos, videos, contacts, apps and other data and syncs them across all your connected devices. For example, you can save a photo on your iPhone and view it on the Mac without any hassle. Adjustments are also immediately implemented on other devices.
iCloud consists of several parts. For example, there is the iCloud photo library where all photos and videos are stored. In addition, there is iCloud Drive, where all your files will be stored, such as documents. Certain folders on the Mac are automatically associated with iCloud Drive, such as the contents of your desktop and the Documents folder. Via the iCloud Drive app on iOS you can view the files on the iOS devices. Furthermore, ‘Family Sharing’ is part of iCloud. This allows you to share each other’s purchases, photos, calendars and subscriptions with up to six family members.
Sign in to iCloud
You need an Apple ID to sign in to iCloud. Chances are you created it, because Apple ID is your user profile that you use to download apps and use iTunes. If you don’t have an Apple ID yet, create one on Apple’s website.
iCloud logging in is then very simple. How to do this on an iOS device:
- Open ‘Settings’ and tap your name at the top;
- Choose iCloud and enter your email address and password (your Apple ID);
- Choose ‘Log in’.
On the Mac, do the following:
- Go to ‘System Preferences’ (via the apple at the top left);
- Click on iCloud;
- Log in with your details.
Using iCloud
After logging in you can use iCloud. Via the settings on iOS and Mac you can indicate what you want to sync with iCloud and what not. These can be photos, but also cards in your Wallet or tabs on Safari. Through iCloud.com you can also log in to your files on devices that are not yours. You can then simply view, adjust and use it. Handy here is of course that everything is synchronized automatically, so that you are up-to-date on your own devices later.
iCloud offers every user 5GB of storage space for free. If you need more, you have to pay for it monthly. These are the prices per month:
- 50GB – 0.99 euros
- 200GB – 2.99 euros
- 1TB – 9.99 euros
- 2TB – 19.99 euros
Read the latest iCloud news
- How to transfer data from an old iPad to a new iPad (2-4)
- Transfer iCloud photos to Google Photos: this is how you do that in 7 steps (4-3)
- Code for Apple Music Android app also confirms ‘Apple One’ subscription bundle (13-9-2020)
- Tip: This is how you turn off mobile data for iCloud photos (7/6/2020)
- ICloud Photos sync isn’t working: here’s what you can do (5/5/2020)