How to Cancel iCloud Storage: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you found yourself paying for iCloud storage you don’t really need? Want to downgrade your plan or disable it completely? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about cancelling iCloud storage.

What is iCloud Storage?

iCloud storage allows you to store files like photos, documents, backups, and more in the cloud. It seamlessly syncs content across Apple devices logged into the same iCloud account.

There are several pricing tiers for iCloud storage:

Storage Amount	Monthly Cost
5GB	Free
50GB	$0.99
200GB	$2.99
2TB	$9.99

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Files that typically use iCloud storage include:

• Photos and videos
• Device backups
• Documents (Pages, Numbers, Keynote)
• iCloud Drive files
• Mail attachments

Now that you know the basics, let’s look at reasons for cancelling and how to downgrade or disable your plan.

When to Consider Cancelling iCloud Storage

Here are common reasons you may want to cancel your paid iCloud storage plan:

You’re paying for unused storage

If you’re subscribed to 200GB or 2TB but aren’t using that much space, downgrading to a smaller plan like 50GB can save you money every month.

You want to save money

Even if you find 50GB too limiting, you can opt for the 5GB free tier. While you lose access to certain features like iCloud Backup, you can use free alternatives like Google Photos for storage instead.

You found another storage solution

There are many cloud storage options like Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive and more that provide robust solutions focused purely on storage. If you prefer using a dedicated storage service over iCloud’s Apple-centric ecosystem, canceling makes sense.

Checking Your iCloud Storage Usage

Before making any changes, check how much of your available iCloud storage you’re actually using:

1. Open the Settings app then tap your Apple ID banner.
2. Select iCloud.
3. Tap Manage Storage.

You’ll then see a colorful graph and list showing storage use by app type (backups, photos, mail, documents, etc). Apps using the most space will be largest in the graph.

Scanning this also gives you an idea of categories you may want to delete data from before cancelling your subscription.

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Removing Content Before Cancelling

If you want to preserve access to specific content like photos or documents, make sure to:

• Download items to your devices before canceling iCloud storage.
• Identify alternative storage solutions for anything you want to keep accessible long term.

To manually delete content before downgrading/disabling your plan:

1. In Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage, select the type of content.
2. Tap to view all items of that type (i.e. photos, messages) then delete anything you no longer need or won’t use again in the future.

Getting in the habit of regularly removing unneeded files can help avoid having to pay for higher storage tiers each month too.

How to Cancel iCloud Storage

Ready to pull the plug on your paid iCloud storage subscription? Here are step-by-step instructions for iPhone/iPad and Mac:

On iPhone or iPad

1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage
2. Tap “Change Storage Plan” at the bottom
3. Select the plan you want:
   • The 5GB free tier
   • A paid lower tier like 50GB
4. Tap “Downgrade Options” then “Downgrade” to confirm

To fully cancel autorenewal:

1. Tap your Apple ID banner
2. Select “Subscriptions”
3. Tap your iCloud subscription
4. Turn off auto-renewal

On Mac

1. Click the Apple logo menu > System Preferences
2. Click your Apple ID
3. Select iCloud Drive
4. Click “Manage” next to your storage amount
5. Choose “Change Storage Plan” from the menu
6. Select your new desired plan or the free 5GB option
7. Click OK to confirm

Follow Step 1 then click “Manage” to get to “Subscriptions” for cancelling monthly renewals.

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Impacts of Cancelling iCloud Storage

When you cancel paid iCloud storage, keep in mind:

• You’ll lose access to certain features depending on your usage patterns. Backups, photos, documents and other files will no longer sync across devices.
• Any content solely stored in iCloud will be deleted 30 days after cancellation. Make sure to download anything you still want access to.
• If you use iCloud features like Keychain password syncing or Find My iPhone, these will remain active. Cancelling storage does not disable entire iCloud account.

Overall though cancelling paid iCloud plans allows money savings without fully losing Apple ID access and functionality.

Top iCloud Alternatives

Common cloud storage alternatives to consider if disabling iCloud include:

Service	Base Storage	Price Per Month	Benefits
Google Drive	15GB	$1.99 for 100GB	Works across iOS and Android. Integrates with free Google Photos.
Dropbox	2GB	$9.99 for 2TB	File syncing and sharing capabilities. Decent free tier option.
Microsoft OneDrive	5GB	$1.99 per month for 100GB	Good for cross-platform access to documents and photos. Generous free storage amount compared to iCloud base level.

When deciding consider how much storage you need, whether you simply want backup or more collaboration features, and if you need something strictly for Apple device access versus more flexibility across operating systems.

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FAQs About Cancelling

What happens to my existing iCloud files if I cancel storage? Your content will remain in iCloud for 30 days after cancellation so you have time to download anything important. After that, files are deleted from iCloud servers. Local iOS files are unaffected.

Can I reactivate iCloud storage after cancelling? Yes, you can resume paid iCloud storage at anytime by reselecting a plan just as you originally signed up.

What is the best and most affordable alternative to iCloud? For pure storage capacity per price, Google Drive and Dropbox offer competitive options. OneDrive is also solid for document access across platforms. Evaluate your usage needs and budget to decide what meets your requirements.

Is there any way to keep some iCloud features without paying? Even on the free 5GB plan you can still leverage Find My iPhone, Keychain passwords and documents, and Apple ID access on devices. But storage-intensive features are limited.

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Canceling paid iCloud storage can be a great way to save on monthly subscription fees if you aren’t leveraging higher-tier features. Just be aware of potential data loss and device sync impacts before disabling your plan.

Follow the steps outlined above to check your current usage, remove unneeded files, and smoothly downgrade or cancel iCloud storage.