App-specific passwords maintain a high level of security and help ensure your Apple ID password won’t be collected or stored by any third-party apps you use. If you are signed in to iCloud for Windows, you don't need an app-specific password when using your Apple ID with third-party Microsoft apps. Once your Macbook or iMac has updated open the Messages app on your Mac. On the menu bar, go to MessagesPreferences. Go to the Account tab and select the ‘Enable Messages in iCloud’ option. It might take a while for older messages to sync between devices but the newer ones will sync right away. This will only sync messages between devices. . Access your files using Finder in Mac OS, OneDrive online or in the mobile app. Access files offline on your smartphone, Mac, or tablet. Save local space on your Mac with Files On.
Introducing Apple One. Bundle your favorite services and enjoy more of Apple for less. Learn more
The best place for all your photos, files, and more.
iCloud is built into every Apple device. That means all your stuff — photos, files, notes, and more — is safe, up to date, and available wherever you are. And it works automatically, so all you have to do is keep doing what you love. Everyone gets 5GB of free iCloud storage to start, and it’s easy to add more at any time.
iCloud Photos
All your photos and videos.
Always available.
A lifetime of photos
on all your devices.
With iCloud Photos, you can browse, search, and share all the photos and videos from any of your devices, whether they were taken yesterday or years ago.
Take all the photos you want. Without worrying about space on your devices.
To save space on your devices, the original, full‑resolution photos you take are automatically uploaded to iCloud. You’ll still always have a lightweight version of every photo on your device, and you can download the originals whenever you need them.
All your files available from all your devices.
The files you keep safe in iCloud Drive are easy to get to, no matter which device you’re using. You can access all your files from the Files app on iOS and iPadOS, the Finder on your Mac, File Explorer for Windows PCs, or iCloud.com.
Organize files however you want. Get to them on any device you want.
iCloud Drive lets you organize your files with folders, rename them, and tag them with colors. And when you make a change, the update is made across all your devices. You can even have everything in your Mac Desktop and Documents folders automatically available in iCloud Drive.
Apps using iCloud
Your favorite apps are
even better with iCloud.
All your essentials.
Accessible from all your devices.
iCloud automatically keeps apps — including Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Reminders, Safari, and some of your favorite apps from the App Store — updated across all your devices. So when you add a new phone number, bookmark a website, or update a slide in a presentation, the change appears everywhere.
Collaborate with Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and Notes.
Work with others on documents, presentations, and spreadsheets and see edits as they’re made. With live updates on all your devices, your collaborators will always be on the same page.
Every message. Updated across all your devices.
iCloud automatically stores all of your messages. Search for an address, a funny exchange, or anything else. And you can pick up every conversation right where you left off. Even when you move to a new phone or computer.
iCloud Backup and Restore
All the things that matter.
Safe and secure.
Automatic backups give you peace of mind.
iCloud automatically backs up your iOS and iPadOS devices when they’re connected to power and Wi-Fi. So if you lose your device or get a new one, you’ll have all the things that matter without missing a beat.1
Move to a new device with everything you loved about your old one.
iCloud makes moving your settings, photos, apps, and documents to a new device seamless. Just sign in to iCloud when you set up your new device, and you’ll be ready to go in minutes.
Two‑factor authentication helps keep your data safe.
Two‑factor authentication is an extra layer of security designed to ensure that only you can access your account. That means your account can only be accessed on devices you trust, like your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Find the storage plan that’s right for you.
The right amount of storage depends on how you and your family members want to use your devices. Everyone gets 5GB of free iCloud storage to get started and it’s easy to upgrade at any time. Your apps and any iTunes or Apple TV purchases don’t count toward your iCloud storage, so you need it just for things like photos, videos, files, and device backups.
iCloud storage is also included in Apple One. You can purchase additional iCloud storage separately whenever you need it.
Apple One
Bundle iCloud
with up to five other great services.
And enjoy more for less.
Family Sharing
Family Sharing makes it easy for you and up to five family members to share Apple Books and App Store purchases and an iCloud storage plan.3 And everyone can access an Apple Music family plan and subscriptions to Apple TV+, Apple News+, and Apple Arcade.
Designed with your
privacy in mind.
Apple takes the security of your data and the privacy of your personal information very seriously. Because of that, iCloud features are designed to keep your information safe, secure, and available only to you.
The iCloud Photo Library is one of those “where have you been all my life” kind of apps. Once you’ve started using it, there’s no going back. The iCloud Photo Library lets you sync your photos across all other devices meaning your precious memories are with you at all times and completely safe should anything happen to your device.
Before we show you how to set up the iCloud Photo Library and how to access iCloud on Mac, there’s a bit of housekeeping we need you to take care of.
How to keep no junk in iCloud
One of iCloud’s great features is that it automatically backs up all of your photos. So when you’re out happily snapping away with your iPhone camera, iCloud will work in the background to add all of your images to the Photo Library so that you can instantly access them on your Mac when you get home.
However, as you’re going to be setting up the Library for the first time, your Mac will automatically start syncing every image that already exists on your computer to iCloud. There are two reasons why this might not be ideal:
- There are photos on your Mac that you don’t want, or need, uploading.
- The iCloud Photo Library only comes with 5GB of free storage. More storage costs a minimum of $0.99 (USD) a month.
So, before switching on the Photo Library, it’s worth clearing out some of your iPhoto junk. CleanMyMac X lets you do this in a few clicks, using its smart scanning tool to only remove photos that you no longer need, such as pre-rotated or pre-cropped shots.
Here’s how to use CleanMyMac to clean up your iPhoto folders.
- Download CleanMyMac (you can do that here, for free).
- Launch CleanMyMac and click on Photo Junk from the sidebar menu.
- Your default photo library is already pre-selected to be scanned, but can easily be changed by clicking on Change Library.
- Hit Scan.
- Then hit Clean.
That’s it! No more useless photos poised to take up precious iCloud space.
Setting up the iCloud Photo Library
Okay, you’re ready to start syncing your photos. Before turning on the iCloud Photo Library make sure that you’re running the latest version of macOS. You can check for updates by going to Apple Menu > System Preferences > App Store and clicking on the Updates tab. While you’re there, check that “Automatically check for updates” and “Download newly available updates in the background” are selected, this will ensure you never miss a new update. Then, check that you’re signed to iCloud with the same Apple ID that you use across all devices.
To turn on the iCloud Photo Library, go to System Preferences > iCloud. Next to Photos, click Options, then select iCloud Photo Library.
Your photos will now automatically begin uploading to the iCloud Photo Library. Depending on the size of your collection and your internet speed, the process might take some time. Fortunately, you don’t have to upload everything at once. Your Mac lets you pause the upload whenever you like.
To do this, open up the Photos app, select Photos, then click on Moments. Scroll to the bottom of your photos and hit the Pause button.
How to Access iCloud Photos on Mac
Icloud App For Mac Osx
The iCloud Photo Library really doesn’t change anything in terms of how you view or manage your photos. To view photos synced to iCloud, open up the Photos app — they’ll all be there, just like before.
The Photos app is also the place to manage your storage space. iCloud offers an “Optimize Mac Storage” feature that stores full-resolution photos and videos in iCloud and keeps originals on your Mac (if you have space). It’s a feature worth using alongside CleanMyMac to better manage your free space. To enable the feature, click Photos > Preferences and select Optimize Mac Storage.
If you decide that 5GB of storage isn’t enough, you can upgrade your plan by going to System Preferences > iCloud > Manage and clicking on Storage Plan or Buy More Storage.
How to access iCloud Photos on an iOS device
While your Mac is likely to be your main hub for organizing and editing photos, your iPhone or iPad is the device you'll use to snap all of those lovely photos.
To access the iCloud from iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Apple TV first you’ll need to turn it on. In iOS 10.3 or later, do this by going to Settings > [name] > iCloud > Photos, then turn on iCloud Photo Library.
In iOS 10.2 or earlier, go to Settings > iCloud > Photos.
On Apple TV tvOS 9.2 or later, go to Settings > Accounts > iCloud > iCloud Photo Library.
Now, iCloud storage access of all photos and videos can be had by using the Photos app.
How to access iCloud drive from a browser
If you don’t have your Mac or iOS device, you’ll be pleased to know that you can also access iCloud from a PC, Android, or Windows device using your preferred browser.
All you need to do is go to iCloud.com and login in using your Apple ID. Once you’re logged in, click on the iCloud Drive button to manage your account in the same way that you would on your Mac.
Keep the photos you need, get rid of the ones you don’t
Enabling the iCloud Photo Library across all of your devices is the best way to organize and manage your photos, and keep your precious memories close to hand at all times. However, you should always be mindful of space. If you shoot as many videos as you take photos, iCloud’s 5GB of free storage can be maxed out fast, leaving you unable to backup media files until you upgrade or delete unwanted photos.
With the Photo Library enabled, make a regular habit of using CleanMyMac to delete unneeded photos and manage space with iCloud’s optimize feature.
Icloud App For Mac Download
CleanMyMac X makes it easy to rid your Mac of old photos and videos to ensure your iCloud Photo Library only syncs the things you need. Download the app for free today.
Mac Icloud Settings
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