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Set up iCloud features on Mac

At any time after you sign in to your Apple ID, you can select the iCloud features you want to use.

iCloud preferences with all the features selected.

Important: To set up Messages in iCloud to share all your messages across devices, open Messages on your Mac, choose Messages > Preferences, click iMessage, then select the Enable Messages in iCloud checkbox. See Use Messages in iCloud.

To set up iCloud features on your iOS or iPadOS device, Apple TV, or Windows computer, see the Apple Support article Change your iCloud feature settings.

Turn iCloud features on or off

  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, click Apple ID, then select iCloud in the sidebar.

    Open Apple ID preferences for me

  2. Select the app whose iCloud features you want to use. Deselect any app whose iCloud features you don’t want to use.

    Some features have additional settings you can change by clicking Options or Details near the feature name when the feature is turned on.

    If you select the Contacts feature while your Contacts app is synced with Google Contacts, Google syncing is turned off. You should keep it turned off while using iCloud for your contacts.

Turn on iCloud Photos

  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, click Apple ID, then select iCloud in the sidebar.

    Open Family Sharing preferences for me

  2. Select Photos.

For more information about setting up iCloud in Photos, see Use iCloud Photos.

Change iCloud Keychain options

If your Apple ID is set up for two-factor authentication you are done setting up iCloud Keychain when you select it in the iCloud apps list. When you set up iCloud on a new device, you can allow the device to use your iCloud data simply by entering the login password or passcode on a device that already has iCloud set up.

Follow the instructions below if a Options button appears beside the iCloud Keychain option.

  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, click Apple ID, then select iCloud in the sidebar.

    Open Apple ID preferences for me

  2. Click the Options button next to Keychain, and select any of the following:

    • Whether your iCloud Security Code can be used to approve iCloud Keychain on new devices.

    • The iCloud Security Code and the phone number used to verify your identity after you use the iCloud Security Code.

  3. If “Waiting for approval” appears below Keychain, click Options to enter your iCloud Security Code instead of approving this Mac from another device.

Change Find My Mac details

  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, click Apple ID, then select iCloud in the sidebar.

    Open Apple ID preferences for me

  2. If “Location Services is off” appears below Find My Mac, click Details, then follow the onscreen instructions so you can locate this Mac.

To set up iCloud on your iOS or iPadOS device, or Windows computer, see the Apple Support article Set up iCloud on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

See alsoManage iCloud storage on MacSet up Family Sharing on MacWhat is iCloud?
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  3. Set up iCloud features on Mac
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