Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

I have an iMac, and it tells me my I-cloud is full. What I would like to know, if anyone knows, is how and what to delete in order to free up space in my I-cloud. If anyone here on the hog knows, let me know.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

I archive old info stuff to an external drive - check for duplicate files/photos routinely - and clean out junk stuff that I find...
With photos, it doesn't take long to start filling up the cloud, so I move a lot of photos to another drive... Like before the cloud, I didn't carry all my pictures with me and got along fine...

Hope this gives you some ideas...

BobPeterson Loc: Massachusetts

Only you can tell what files you can delete.
ICloud defaults to syncing your desktop and documents folders. See this website to change this behavior.
https://www.multcloud.com/tutorials/icloud-drive-only-sync-certain-folders-1207.html
Alternatively create a folder elsewhere (outside your Documents folder) and move files there. I created one called Documents-Local. When moving files your iMac will most likely give an ominous warning that it is less safe to not have them in the cloud as an offsite backup.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

What about simply buying more space, maybe another TB?

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Apple sells server space to make money. So when your allotted space is full, you have the option of paying for more, or downloading/offloading/deleting files to make space.

In System Settings, you can manage your account storage. Assuming you're running MacOS Ventura 13.4, click on your Apple ID profile at the top of the list of settings. Click on iCloud. At the top of the screen find Account Storage and click on Manage...

That's where you can do global account management.

To manage individual application files, use the application to move and delete files. HELP in each application should tell you how.

Red6

You can select what you save or backup in the iCloud. I have our iPhones set up to back up only our contact and calendar information. This way any changes to your calendar or contact list are automatically backed up immediately. Those are what we consider absolutely vital for quick recovery in case of loss.

The Contact and Calendar apps are the only places we have our schedules, appointments, phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, and other pertinent non-confidential information stored. If not backed up, it would take days to recover and reenter this information if the phones were lost. Having this data backed up is vital, at least for us.

If you start backing up everything on your iPhone, especially Photos, then you will use up your free iCloud allotment very quickly. Apps and other items that are easily replaced or downloaded again from the web do not need to be backed up.

So go into your iPhone and select what you really need to recover your iPhone in case of loss. Save your Photos to an external storage device OR purchase a larger allotment of iCloud storage.

Red6

Sorry, I reread your post and read iMac but was thinking iPhone when I wrote the response. However, what I said in my previous post is also applicable to iMacs also. You can select what you save or back up as well as what you delete from the iCloud backups.

Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

To everyone who replied to my question, I thank you! You have all be so helpful, and I do so appreciate all of you!
Again, thank you all soooooo much!

billmck Loc: Central KY

You’ve already gotten lots of replies, but I found I could buy more iCloud storage for a very low monthly fee.

Bill

LittleBit Loc: St. Louis, MO

I buy extra ICloud Storage monthly for my IPhone for just $0.99 per month thru Apple. Check and see if you can do the same for your IMac.

FL Streetrodder

I have Windows on my computers and never use iCloud for storage, but get emails like this all the time. It's just another form of "phishing" hoping to get some personal information about you if you reply!

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

Bill - I have the same problem because my iPhone periodically creates a complete backup it stores on the iCloud which is almost at its 5GB limit. I've shut off almost all the apps that store anything on the iCloud so the phone backup is the major user. Naturally, Apple will sell me additional storage. Does it delete the old backup, every time it makes a new one? Can I delete old versions from the iCloud?

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I agree, but some emails such as a warning of exceeding the storage limits are actually valid. But there’s no necessity to trust the email - your Apple device (or Windows if you use ICloud) will show you instantly how much storage you have left.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

iCloud is one account for all Apple devices. That 50GB for $.99 a month is for all your Apple devices to share. Since most of the same apps run on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, you can start working on one device and finish on another, so long as you have network access. Photos you send to iCloud are immediately available to use or edit on on your other Apple devices. You can change the access to a particular Apple App in Settings on each device.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

You can keep or delete whatever...

Backup is worth doing, whether to a Mac, PC, or iCloud. If you lose or damage your phone beyond repair, a backup somewhere else is the only way you can get your photos and data restored to a new phone. Same goes for forgetting your password! Apple has no access to your device.