What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage?
Device storage is the storage on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or other Apple device. iCloud storage securely stores your photos, files, notes, and other data in the cloud and keeps it up-to-date across all your devices, automatically.
Device storage
An Apple device like an iPhone, iPad, or Mac comes with a set amount of storage. The more storage your device has, the more music, apps, photos, and other content you can store on that device. If your device storage is full or almost full, you might get an alert.
Here's how to check the amount of device storage you've used and, if needed, how to optimize and manage your storage space.
Check the device storage on your iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app, then tap General.
Tap iPhone Storage or iPad Storage to check the amount of device storage that you've used.
If you want to free up storage space on your iPhone or iPad:
Check the device storage on your Mac
Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
In the sidebar, click General.
Select Storage to check the amount of device storage that you've used.
Learn how to free up storage space on your Mac
iCloud storage
To access your content on any device and help optimize your device storage, you can enable iCloud features that use your iCloud storage. You can use iCloud storage to back up your device, keep photos and videos in iCloud Photos so they stay up-to-date across your devices, and more. When your iCloud storage is full or almost full, you might get an alert and you can upgrade or buy more storage. If you don't get more iCloud storage, the iCloud features that you're using might not stay up to date until you manage your storage or buy more.
If you want to free up iCloud storage space:
Check your iCloud storage on your iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app, then tap your name.
Tap iCloud to check the amount of iCloud storage that you've used.
Tap Storage or Manage Storage for more details about your iCloud usage.
Check your iCloud storage on your Mac
Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
Click Apple Account.
Select iCloud to check the amount of iCloud storage that you have left.
Tap Manage for more details about your iCloud usage.
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