This wikiHow teaches you how to set up and use iCloud, Apple's cloud-based storage application.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Using iCloud Over the Web
Step 1. Visit the iCloud website
You can visit it in a browser on any computer, including Windows computers or Chromebooks.
Step 2. Enter the Apple ID and password
Type both of these information into the login dialog box.
Step 3. Click the iCloud app
The iCloud web application allows you to access or process data stored or synced to iCloud. For example, click “ Pages ” to create, view, or edit documents you created and save/sync to iCloud.
- Only data and files that are synced or saved to iCloud are available in the iCloud account.
- Backup files from an iPad, iPhone, or desktop computer that are saved to iCloud are inaccessible. The file is only used to restore settings and data to the device.
Step 4. Click Photos
After that, you can view, download, or delete the shared or synced photos from any device that uses the same iCloud account.
Step 5. Click iCloud Drive
Once clicked, the iCloud Drive interface will appear. You can upload or download documents and files with this feature.
Click and drag the document you want to save or upload to the Drive page. After that, the document can be accessed via devices that have been synced with an iCloud account, including iPhone or iPad
Step 6. Click Contacts
This option contains contact information that is synchronized from the device. Additions or changes made through the iCloud application will also be applied to devices connected/synced with the same iCloud account
Step 7. Click Calendar
Events and appointments that you add to the calendar application on the synced device will be shown in this option. If you add or edit events through the iCloud app, those changes will also appear on the synced devices.
Step 8. Click Find My iPhone
When you enable the “Find My…” feature on an Apple device, it uses iCloud to track the location/presence of the device. If you turn on the “Find My…” service, you can use this iCloud app to search for iPhones, iPads, Mac computers, and even AirPods.
Part 2 of 4: Using iCloud on iPhone or iPad
Step 1. Open the settings menu (“Settings”)
This menu is indicated by a gear icon and is usually displayed on the home screen.
Step 2. Touch your Apple ID
The ID will appear at the top of the menu and include the name and photo (if it's been uploaded).
- If you're not signed in to your Apple ID, tap “ Sign in to (device name) ”, enter the Apple ID and password, then touch “ Sign In ”.
- If you're running an older version of iOS, you don't need to follow these steps.
Step 3. Touch iCloud
This option is in the second segment of the menu.
Step 4. Select the type of data you want to save to iCloud
You can select it by sliding the switch next to an app in the " Apps Using iCloud " list to " On " (marked in green) or " Off " (indicated in white).
Swipe to see a complete list of apps that can access iCloud
Step 5. Touch the Photos button
It's at the top of the "Apps Using iCloud" section.
- Enable option " iCloud Photo Library ” to upload and save photos from the “Camera Roll” folder to iCloud automatically. When enabled, all photo and video libraries can be accessed from both mobile and desktop platforms (as long as they are connected to the same iCloud account).
- Enable option " My Photo Stream ” to upload new photos to iCloud automatically whenever the device is connected to a WiFi network.
- Enable option " iCloud Photo Sharing ” if you want to create a photo album that your friends can access via their website or Apple device.
Step 6. Touch iCloud
It's in the top-left corner of the screen.
Step 7. Swipe the screen and touch Keychain
It's at the bottom of the "Apps Using iCloud" section.
Step 8. Slide the "iCloud Keychain" switch/switch to the right ("On" position)
The switch color will change to green. After that, the passwords and payment information stored on the device will be synced to every device that uses the same Apple ID.
Apple does not have access to this encrypted information
Step 9. Touch the iCloud button
It's in the top-left corner of the screen.
Step 10. Swipe the screen and touch Find My iPhone
It's at the bottom of the "Apps Using iCloud" section.
Step 11. Slide the "Find My iPhone" button/switch to the right ("On" position)
With this feature, you can find your device by logging into your iCloud account on a computer or other mobile platform and clicking “ Find My iPhone ”.
Enable option " Send Last Location ” so that the device can send the latest location information to Apple's servers when the battery/device power is very low.
Step 12. Touch the iCloud button
It's in the top-left corner of the screen.
Step 13. Swipe the screen and tap iCloud Backup
It's at the bottom of the "Apps Using iCloud" section.
Step 14. Slide the switch/switch next to "iCloud Backup" to the right ("On" position)
With this option, all files, settings, app data, photos, and logins will be automatically saved to iCloud whenever the device is charged, locked, or connected to a WiFi network. The iCloud Backup feature allows you to restore data from iCloud if you change or delete data/settings from the device.
Step 15. Slide the "iCloud Drive" switch to the "On" position (marked in green)
With this option, apps can access and save data to iCloud Drive.
- Use the iCloud Drive app to add, view, or access documents or files stored in the iCloud Drive storage space via iPhone or iPad.
- Applications shown in the list “ iCloud Drive ” can access iCloud Drive storage space when the toggle next to it is in the on position (" On ", marked with a green toggle).
- Now, you can access iCloud through apps that are already synced with iCloud, such as iCloud Drive, Photos, Calendars, or Pages.
Part 3 of 4: Using iCloud Through a Mac Computer
Step 1. Click the Apple menu
This menu is indicated by the icon in the upper left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Click System Preferences
It's in the second segment of the drop-down menu.
Step 3. Click iCloud
It's on the left side of the window.
If you're not automatically signed in to your account, enter your Apple ID and password first
Step 4. Check the box next to the text "iCloud Drive"
It's in the top right pane of the window. Now, you can access and edit files and documents stored in iCloud.
- To access or edit files, select “iCloud Drive” in the “Save” dialog box or drag files to a folder “ iCloud Drive ” displayed in the left pane of the Finder window.
- Select the app that gets permission to access iCloud Drive by clicking the “ Options ” next to "iCloud Drive" in the dialog box.
Step 5. Select the type of data you want to sync to iCloud
Step 1. Sign in to iCloud account via website or other device first
iCloud is designed to connect with Apple devices so at a minimum, you need to sign in to your account on another device or platform (iOS or Mac) before signing in on a Windows computer (PC).
Step 2. Download and install the iCloud for Windows program
You will need to install a special program from Apple in order to access the data in your iCloud account. You can download the iCloud for Windows program for free from support.apple.com/en-us/HT204283. The iCloud for Windows program requires an operating system Windows 7 or later.
Step 3. Open iCloud program and sign in using Apple ID
When you run the program for the first time, you will be asked to enter your Apple ID. Use the same ID as the one you use to sign in to your iCloud account on another device.
Step 4. Select the service you want to activate
iCloud data that can be synced with Windows is quite limited when compared to Apple devices. However, you can still get important data. Check the box next to each service you want to enable. The site bookmark will be added to the current browser, and content in the Mail, Contacts, and Calendars applications will be added to the email management program (usually Outlook).
