OS X El Capitan: iCloud preferences

iCloud preferences

Use iCloud preferences to sign in or out of iCloud, turn iCloud features on or off, change iCloud account details, or manage iCloud storage. To open this pane, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click iCloud.

Account Details

View or change your iCloud account information, including your name and picture, email and street addresses, email preferences, security settings, iCloud devices, and payment method.

Set Up Family

You see this button if you haven’t joined a family. Click it to set up Family Sharing.

Manage Family

You see this button if:

Sign Out

Stop using all iCloud features on this Mac. See If you sign out of iCloud.

List of iCloud features

Turn on the iCloud features you want to use. The following features have an Options button or a Details button:

iCloud Drive: If iCloud Drive is turned on, click Options to select which apps can:

  • Store documents and data in iCloud Drive

  • Let other people look you up by your email address (the one you use as your Apple ID for iCloud)

Photos: If iCloud Photos is turned on, click Options to turn the following features on or off:

On a Mac with iPhoto or Aperture installed, see iPhoto Help or Aperture Help for information about the last two features.

Keychain: If Keychain is turned on, click Options to change:

  • 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

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

If there isn’t an Options button next to Keychain, your Apple ID is set up for two-factor authentication. In this case, when you set up iCloud on a new device, you allow the device to use your iCloud data simply by entering the login password or passcode of your Mac or iOS device that already has iCloud set up.

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

Manage

Manage your iCloud storage. You can:

  • Upgrade your iCloud storage

  • Remove an iOS device backup

  • Delete all photos and videos from iCloud Photo Library on your Mac

  • Permanently remove all documents and data for an app

Last Modified: Apr 13, 2016
Helpful?

Additional Product Support Information