What’s the difference between device storage and iCloud storage?

Device storage is the available storage on your iPhone, iPad, Mac or other Apple device. iCloud storage keeps your photos, files, notes and more up to date and available across all of your devices.

Device storage

An Apple device such as 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 almost full or full, you may get an alert.

Here's how to check the amount of device storage you've used and, if needed, how to optimise and manage your storage space.

Check the device storage on your iPhone or iPad

  1. Open the Settings app.

  2. Tap General.

  3. Tap iPhone Storage or iPad Storage to check the amount of device storage you’ve used.

    ios-16-iphone-13-pro-settings-general-iphone-storage

If you want to free up storage space on your iPhone or iPad:

Check the device storage on your Mac

In macOS Ventura or later:

  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Settings.

  2. In the sidebar, click General.

  3. Select Storage to check the amount of device storage you’ve used.

    macos-ventura-system-settings-general-storage

In macOS Monterey or earlier:

  1. Choose Apple menu  > About This Mac.

  2. Select Storage to check the amount of device storage you’ve used.

Find out how to free up storage space on your Mac

iCloud storage

To access your content on any device and help optimise your storage, you can also use iCloud storage. You can use iCloud storage to keep photos, videos, device backups and more, and keep this content up to date across your devices. When your iCloud storage is almost full or full, you might get an alert and you can buy more.

If you want to free up iCloud storage space:

Check your iCloud storage on your iPhone or iPad

  1. Open the Settings app.

  2. Tap your name.

  3. Tap iCloud to check the amount of iCloud storage you’ve used.

    ios-16-iphone-13-pro-settings-apple-id-icloud-storage-manage-storage-on-tap

  4. Tap Manage Account Storage for more details about your iCloud usage.

Check your iCloud storage on your Mac

  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Settings or choose Apple menu  > System Preferences.

  2. Click Apple ID.

  3. Select iCloud to check the amount of iCloud storage you have left.

    macos-ventura-system-settings-apple-id-icloud-plus-manage

  4. Tap Manage for more details about your iCloud usage.

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