Change iCloud settings on Mac
On your Mac, use iCloud settings to turn iCloud and iCloud+ features on or off and manage iCloud storage.
To change these settings, choose Apple menu > System Settings, click [your name] at the top of the sidebar, then click iCloud on the right. If you don’t see your name at the top of the sidebar, click Sign in with your Apple ID to enter your Apple ID or to create one.
Note: Some of these options only appear when you’re using macOS 13.3 or later. You may need to click Show All to see all of the options.
Option | Description | ||||||||||
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Account Storage | Click Manage to manage your iCloud storage. You can:
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Optimize Mac Storage | Turn on to store the full contents of iCloud Drive on your Mac if there’s enough disk space. When disk space is needed, older documents are stored only in iCloud. See the Apple Support article Free up storage space on your Mac. | ||||||||||
Photos | Turn on Sync this Mac to store your photos and videos using iCloud Photos and access them in the Photos app on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. You can also create Shared Albums and collaborate on a Shared Library with iCloud Shared Photo Library. | ||||||||||
iCloud Drive | Turn on Sync this Mac to store your files in iCloud Drive and access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. You can choose:
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iCloud Mail | Turn on Sync this Mac to store your iCloud Mail email in iCloud and access it from the Mail app on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. If you don’t already have an iCloud email address, you’re prompted to create one. Learn more about Mail and iCloud in the iCloud User Guide. | ||||||||||
Password & Keychain | Turn on Sync this Mac to securely store information like passwords and credit card numbers in iCloud and access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. See Set up iCloud Keychain to autofill information. | ||||||||||
Notes | Turn on Sync this Mac to store your notes in iCloud and access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. | ||||||||||
Find My Mac | Click Turn On to use Find My to locate any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. You can track a lost device, lock it, or remotely erase it. Location Services must be on to use Find My Mac. To turn it on, click Privacy & Security in the sidebar (you may need to scroll down), then click Location Services on the right. Turn on Location Services, enter the name and password of an administrator of your Mac, then click Unlock. See Set up Find My. | ||||||||||
Contacts | Store your contacts in iCloud so that you can access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. | ||||||||||
Calendars | Store your calendar information in iCloud so that you can access it on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. | ||||||||||
Reminders | Store your reminders in iCloud so that you can access them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. | ||||||||||
Safari | Store your open tabs in iCloud Tabs in the Safari app so you can access them, as well as your Reading List and bookmarks, on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. | ||||||||||
News | Store your News information in iCloud so that you can access your followed channels and topics, saved stories, and reading history on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. | ||||||||||
Stocks | Store your stock watchlist information in iCloud so that you can view it on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. | ||||||||||
Home | Allow internet communication through iCloud using the Home app so that you can control internet-connected home devices, including thermostats and plugs to window blinds, light bulbs, and more, on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. | ||||||||||
Wallet | Store your cards in iCloud so you can use them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. | ||||||||||
Siri | Store your Siri settings in iCloud so that you can use them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. | ||||||||||
Freeform | Store your Freeform boards in iCloud so that you can use them on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. | ||||||||||
Get More with iCloud+ | If you don’t subscribe to iCloud+, click Upgrade to view iCloud+ plans and begin the subscription process. iCloud+ gives you more storage for your photos, files, and backups, as well as additional features including iCloud Private Relay, Hide My Email, and HomeKit Secure Video support. See the Apple Support article Upgrade to iCloud+. | ||||||||||
Private Relay | Use iCloud Private Relay to hide your IP address and browsing activity in Safari and protect your unencrypted internet traffic, allowing you to browse the web in a more secure and private way. You must subscribe to iCloud+ to use iCloud Private Relay. See Use iCloud Private Relay. | ||||||||||
Hide My Email | Use Hide My Email to generate unique, random email addresses that forward to your personal email account, so you don’t have to share your real email address when filling out a form on the web or signing up for a newsletter. You can create as many addresses as you need. You must subscribe to iCloud+ to use Hide My Email. See Use Hide My Email. | ||||||||||
Custom Email Domain | Use Custom Email Domain to send and receive email from a personalized email address with iCloud Mail. You must subscribe to iCloud+ to use Custom Email Domain. See Add an email domain you already own to iCloud Mail or Purchase a new email domain and add it to iCloud Mail in the iCloud User Guide. | ||||||||||
Advanced Data Protection | Use end-to-end encryption to protect the majority of your iCloud data with the highest level of cloud data security (macOS 13.1 or later; not available in all countries or regions). See the Apple Support article iCloud data security overview. Because Apple won’t have the keys required to recover your data, you need to have a recovery contact or recovery key set up on your account. You can use these additional recovery methods to regain access to your data if you ever forget your password or lose access to your account. See the Apple Support articles Set up an account recovery contact and How to generate a recovery key. | ||||||||||
Access iCloud Data on the Web | Access your mail, contacts, calendar, photos, notes, reminders, files, and documents on the web at iCloud.com and privacy.apple.com. See the Apple Support article Manage web access to your iCloud data. |
iCloud requires an internet connection; some iCloud features have minimum system requirements. See the Apple Support article System requirements for iCloud.
iCloud and iCloud+ may not be available in all areas; iCloud+ features may vary by area. See the macOS Feature Availability webpage.