To save photos, address book and personal data on iPhone using the Internet, iCloud was born, the cloud storage service that offers in the free version 5 GB of virtual space (we can enlarge it by paying a subscription) in which we can save anything we want: music, photos, documents, images, messages, data and much more. In case you own multiple Apple devices, iCloud synchronizes the files and automatically sends the same contents saved on each of them. This space is automatically used by all Apple devices, but we can quickly configure it to access files saved in the cloud even on PCs equipped with Windows and Macs. Discover in this guide how to use iCloud on Windows, Mac, iPhone and iPad in an optimal way on all platforms, so you can use it without any problem wherever you are.
READ ALSO: How iCloud works for photos, address book and backup on iPhone and iPad
1) How to use iCloud on Mac
iCloud can be managed from a Mac, the only caveat is that the Apple operating system is always updated (iCloud can be found starting from Lion onwards).
Once the Mac is updated, all we have to do is go to the desktop and open the Go menu -> iCloud Drive .
A management window will open in which to view all the saved files or, if we have not yet logged in, a screen where you can access your iCloud.
Alternatively, we can use the keyboard shortcut Shift + Command + I to quickly open the associated iCloud space on the Mac.
2) How to use iCloud from Windows
For Windows we have to download the iCloud program and, after installing it, you can manage the online space by going to the Start menu and typing iCloud or using the iCloud icon in the system bar at the bottom right.
By clicking on the Archive button, more space can be purchased, delete a backup made with iCloud, see the size it occupies while using the Options keys we can configure the individual elements present on iCloud, so that they can be managed comfortably from Windows.
By clicking on Account details you can view the summary screen of your personal information (Apple ID).
iCloud for Windows 10 is also available as an app that installs from the Microsoft Store . The advantage of the app over the program is the possibility of being able to work on the files stored in the Apple cloud without having to download them to the PC, since iCloud Drive will keep the changes synchronized, saving time and disk space. This means that you can access photos, videos, mail and calendar data through the app and that you can also open iCloud Drive files directly from Windows Explorer (and since the interface of the iCLoud program on Windows is inconvenient, the the app certainly becomes preferable).
3) How to use iCloud from iTunes
ICloud integration is also available in the iTunes multimedia program : every time you connect a device and go to the backup management screen, selecting the iCloud check you can make a backup on your online account, while clicking on This computer the backup is done locally.
When the device is turned on for the first time (or when an update is complete ), just log in with the Apple ID and decide to activate and use iCloud. The settings contain all the individual services which, via a switch, can be activated or deactivated. according to your needs and preferences. By default iCloud, we repeat, offers 5 GB of space but you can buy more memory by paying a subscription plan with a variable price and cloud size. On this page all the plans available to subscribe to iCloud, with prices starting from 1 Euro per month for 50 GB to 10 Euro per month for 2 TB.
4) How to use iCloud from the Web
iCloud is also accessible from the Internet at the address by entering your Apple ID credentials on the site present here -> iCloud.com .
Just enter your login credentials to check your mail, contacts, calendar, use Find My iPhone and iWork (in the latter, apps for iOS can be found). Compared to the past you can upload any type of file to iCloud, the important thing is to respect the maximum space available for your subscription (the file limit is 50GB regardless of the space available, even if we have 1 TB we cannot upload files from 1 TB).
5) How to use iCloud from iPhone and iPad
By setting, for example, an appointment on the calendar; thanks to iCloud, the latter will be visible on all their devices where iOS or the iCloud app is installed. The same goes for emails, the address book (to have your contacts always at hand and automatically transfer them to Wi-Fi on your Mac or Outlook on your PC), your favorites, notes and reminders. Synchronization "in the cloud" is automatic so, for example, if you download an app or a book on the iPhone, you will also find it on another iOS device.
Every single photo taken from iPhone or iPad can be uploaded online to the "cloud" and sent to all your connected devices.
In addition, all photos can also be downloaded on Windows or Mac thanks to the iCloud program. Those who want to overdo it and also own an Apple TV can stream the photos in iCloud on their home TV. To access iCloud configurations on iPhone and iPad, simply go to Settings -> Apple ID Name -> iCloud and make sure that all the items present are activated.
This will automatically save the camera roll photos, documents, address book, calendars, reminders, mail and other iOS settings. If you then buy a new iPhone or iPad phone you can configure the iOS device, thanks to the voice use iCloud backup on first start and the first access with the Apple ID to restore all data, personal information, mail, messages, contacts, etc ....
In another article, we talked about how to synchronize contacts and address book on iPhone and PC with iCloud.
6) Other iCloud features
Apple has integrated iCloud into iWork applications; through the iCloud online interface, the user has access to any file created in Pages, Keynote or Numbers on iOS.
This means, to put it briefly, that you can start a document in Pages for iPad and end it or edit it in Pages for iPhone.
All the music that is bought on iTunes appears automatically on their devices and the purchased songs can be downloaded again, where and when you want, thanks to the download button located in the purchased section, in iTunes. Remaining on the musical theme, there is also two words to spend for iTunes Match, a paid service ($ 25 a year) that allows you to access your music library present in iTunes from iCloud (from your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch ).
The iOS device tracking system is available thanks to iCloud technology.
By accessing iCloud.com or using the specific app for iOS, your devices can be tracked on the map in case of theft or loss.
7) Alternatives to iCloud
iCloud isn't the only service that offers storage space for your files. Below we have included the best cloud services that we can use on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Windows as an alternative to iCloud (often also with more free space offered):
- Google Drive
- Google Photos for backing up photos and videos
- Box
- Mega
- OneDrive
- Dropbox
All these services have handy apps that can also be used on Apple devices but also on Android as well as synchronization programs for Windows and Mac.
READ ALSO: Comparison of free Cloud Drives to save files online
