iCloud: Troubleshooting storage issues

If you have difficulty upgrading to a different iCloud storage plan or saving your payment information, try each of these steps below, testing after each one to see if the issue is resolved. 

Note: If you purchase an iCloud Storage upgrade, you will be charged immediately and each year until you downgrade or cancel your plan. Review the iCloud Terms and Conditions for more information.

• Verify your current billing address is correct, including the listed country and region. See "Editing your iCloud billing information" below.
• Verify your credit card information is up to date.
• Verify the security code for your credit card is correct.
• Re-enter your credit card information and try upgrading again. If you are still unable to upgrade your storage, contact iCloud Support for assistance.

Editing your iCloud billing information

Follow the steps below to review or edit your iCloud billing information.

Note: See this article for additional iCloud storage billing-related information.

iOS 5 and later

1. From your home screen, tap Settings > iCloud.
2. Tap your iCloud account at the top of the screen.
3. Select the Payment Information option. Follow the prompts to edit your information.

OS X Lion v10.7.2 or later

1. Choose System Preferences from the Apple () menu.
2. Click the iCloud icon.
3. Click the Manage > View Account buttons.
4. Re-enter your Apple ID and password, and follow the prompts to edit your information.

Windows 8, Windows 7, and Vista

1. Open the Windows Control Panel:
   • In Windows 8, move the pointer to the upper-right corner of the screen to show the Charms bar, click the Search charm, and then click the iCloud Control Panel on the left.
   • In Windows 7 and Vista, choose Start > All Programs > iCloud > iCloud.
2. In the iCloud Control Panel for Windows, click Manage.
3. Click View account.
4. Enter the password for your iCloud account, click View Account, and then follow the prompts.

      Note: You cannot update your payment information or manage your storage from iCloud.com.

To downgrade your storage plan, follow the steps below from the device of your choice.

iOS 5 and later

1. From your home screen, tap Settings > iCloud.
2. Tap your iCloud account at the top of the screen.
3. Select your iCloud Storage plan. 
4. Tap Downgrade Options and follow the prompts.

OS X Lion v10.7.2 or later

1. Choose System Preferences from the Apple () menu.
2. Click the iCloud icon.
3. Click the Manage > View Account buttons.
4. Re-enter your password when prompted.
5. Click the Change button next to Storage Plan.
6. Click the Downgrade Options button.
7. Select a storage plan and follow the prompts.
   

Windows 8, Windows 7, and Vista

1. Open the Windows Control Panel:
   • In Windows 8, move the pointer to the upper-right corner of the screen to show the Charms bar, click the Search charm, and then click the iCloud Control Panel on the left.
   • In Windows 7 and Vista, choose Start > All Programs > iCloud > iCloud.
2. In the iCloud Control Panel for Windows, click Manage.
3. Click View account.
4. Enter the password for your iCloud account, click View Account, and then follow the prompts. 
5. Click Change storage plan.
6. Click Downgrade Options.
7. Select a storage plan and follow the prompts.

If you have difficulty downgrading your iCloud Storage plan, try each of these steps below, testing after each one to see if the issue is resolved.

• Make sure you are signed in to iCloud with the correct Apple ID:
  • iOS devices: Settings > iCloud
  • Mac: System Preferences > iCloud
  • PC: Control Panel > Network and Internet > iCloud
• Verify your credit card information is up-to-date.
• Verify your current billing address is correct, including the listed country and region. 

Documents in the Cloud storage quota

If you add files to Documents in the Cloud using any method other than the recommended iCloud iWork web app, App Store approved applications, or through the iCloud Documents Library on your Mac, an inconsistent storage quota value may be displayed on your iOS device or in System Preferences.

To resolve this issue, do one of the following:

• Go to the iCloud iWork web app (icloud.com/iwork), and locate and delete the files.
• From your iOS device (iPad, iPhone or iPod touch), choose Settings > iCloud > Storage and Backup > Manage Storage, and locate and delete the files.
• On your Mac, choose System Preferences > iCloud > Manage, and locate and delete the files.
• On your PC, open the iCloud Control Panel. Choose Network and Internet > iCloud > Manage, and locate and delete the files.

Once you have deleted the files, the change in your iCloud storage allocation automatically updates the quota values.

If you're unable to locate or delete the files, or the storage quota values displayed on your iOS device or in System Preferences continue to be inconsistent, contact iCloud Support for assistance.

Backup storage quota

If you turned off iCloud Backup, and do not see your available storage increase as expected, try the following:

1. From an iOS device that does not have iCloud Backup enabled, choose Settings > iCloud.
2. Tap Storage & Backup.
3. Turn on iCloud Backup.
4. Tap Manage Storage.
5. Select the name of your device.
6. Select Delete Backup. Select Turn Off & Delete.

If your available Storage displayed in iCloud Settings on your iOS device, in iCloud System Preferences on your Mac or in the iCloud Control Panel for Windows on your PC continues to be different than expected, contact iCloud Support for assistance.