How to access and manage your iCloud account on any device

If you're like most users, you've probably got more data stored in iCloud than you realize. Photos, contact information, notes — even your Health app information is stored in the cloud by default.

But it isn't always obvious how to access iCloud, or how to manage what data it stores. Luckily, it's easy to do both.

How to access iCloud through the website

As long as you have a computer or phone that's connected to the internet, you can access iCloud.

1. Head to icloud.com and enter the email address linked to your Apple ID account.

2. Click the arrow icon, and then enter your password.

3. If you have two-factor authentication set up on your Apple ID account, a code will be sent to all your devices. Enter this code on the iCloud website to gain access.

You'll be shown a list of icons and options — more icons will be available on the desktop version of the site than the smartphone version. Click any of these icons to see the data stored in your iCloud account. From there you can delete, move, or download nearly anything you've saved.

How to access iCloud on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac

Alternatively, you can go through the Apple ID menu. This menu is at the top of the Settings app on every device.

• On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings and then tap your name at the top of all the options.
• On a Mac, click the Apple logo in the top-left corner and select System Preferences, and then Apple ID.

Once you've reached this page, tap or click the iCloud option.

You'll be shown how much storage space you have in iCloud, and what kind of data it's currently holding. Selecting the Manage option shows you exactly how much data each app takes, and lets you upgrade your iCloud storage plan.

You'll also find an Apps Using iCloud section. Here, select which apps are allowed to save data to iCloud, and which ones have to keep their data stored only on your device. Turning off an option will erase its data from iCloud immediately.

William Antonelli

Freelance Writer

ExperienceWilliam joined Business Insider in 2019 to help found Tech Reference, a vertical dedicated to answering the internet’s most common questions about the gadgets they buy. In that role, he helped grow the vertical into a powerhouse that attracted over 20 million pageviews a month. He also wrote and edited one of Business Insider’s most successful stories: How to take a screenshot on Windows.William later became one of Business Insider's lead consumer tech reporters, writing roundups and reviews about gadgets ranging from smartphones to gaming PCs. He also established key industry contacts at brands like Apple, Google, Nintendo, and more. He’s also cited on the Wikipedia page for Among Us, an honor above all others.William’s work for Business Insider has included reviewing the best gaming laptops, publishing previews of new Nintendo games and consoles, and comparing Apple’s latest releases so readers know what’s worth their money. Across all assignments, he’s been praised for his depth of knowledge and research skills.In addition to his work at Business Insider, William’s writing has appeared in outlets like The Guardian, Polygon, Thomson Reuters’ Context, and more. He's also a regular guest on TV stations like CBS and NBC, where he provides expert analysis on AI, consumer tech, and Silicon Valley moguls.Why you can trust WilliamWilliam believes the goal of journalism should be to tell the truth, not sell products. In his reviews, William never hesitates to call out a product’s flaws, but he also has no issue complimenting features that genuinely add value.When reviewing a product, William doesn’t test it in a vacuum. He tries to incorporate each product into his daily routine to get a better sense of how it’ll work for the everyday user. And when writing, he focuses on reader comprehension. He’s talented at explaining complicated concepts in ways that all readers can understand, without losing depth or nuance — or his distinctively engaging voice.Expertise

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Consumer Technology (Laptops, PCs, video games and gaming consoles, smartphones, more)
• Social Media (TikTok, X, Meta, more)
• Internet Culture (Memes, influencers, viral trends)
• Disinformation

EducationWilliam graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2018. There, he studied English, communications, and adolescent education, alongside reporting news for the university’s radio and TV stations.Outside workWhen he’s not reporting, you can usually find William biking through Central Park, playing video games, or at home listening to music and writing fanfiction. He’s also a co-manager of the New York Mandolin Ensemble, one of NYC’s premier string orchestras.You can contact him at w.antonelli322@gmail.com, visit his official website at williamantonelli.com, or follow him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher and BlueSky @wantonelli.bsky.social.

Read more Read less