How to Setup and Use iCloud Drive on iPhone, iPad and Mac

🗓️ November 21, 2023 By ✍️ Jaysukh patel

iCloud Drive is Apple’s cloud storage system. While with access to iCloud Drive, you can easily access folders, documents, files, and more that you are presently storing and syncing with an Apple ID. 

On Apple devices, you can find the documents and folders right in the Files App. And the best part is that you can access the iCloud drive on the web and Finder on your Mac computer. Our guide will show you a complete guide on how to set up and access iCloud Drive on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. 

How to Enable iCloud Drive on iPhone & iPad

Step 1: Navigate to the Settings App on your iPhone. Tap on Apple ID [Your Name].

Go to Apple ID Profile on iPhone settings

Step 2: Swipe down and hit on iCloud. Tap on iCloud Drive. In the next screen, enable the toggle next to Sync This iPhone or Sync This iPad.

Enable iCloud Drive sync on iPhone

Once iCloud is enabled on your iPhone & iPad, all the iCloud-compatible Apps will offer you an option and save files to iCloud Drive.

Steps to access iCloud Drive Files on iPhone & iPad

You can also access iCloud Drive files on iPhone & iPad using the Files App on the home screen. 

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Step 1: Access the Files App on your iPhone & iPad > Browse.

Open files tap browse on iphone

Step 2: On the next screen, go to the Locations menu. Tap on the iCloud Drive. 

Click iCloud drive on iphone

On the iCloud Drive screen, you’ll find all your files and folders located on iCloud Drive. 

To access a folder on iCloud Drive, hit on it, and you can access the files located within that Folder.

Steps to delete iCloud Drive files from iPhone & iPad

At any time, you can delete any folder and files stored on your iCloud Drive right from your iPhone & iPad.

  1. Access the Files App on your iPhone & iPad.
  2. On the next screen, go to the Locations menu.
  3. Tap on the iCloud Drive. 
Open iCloud Drive on iPhone
  1. On the iCloud Drive screen, you’ll find all your files and folders located on iCloud Drive. 
  2. Access the Folder containing files you want to clear out from iCloud Drive.
  3. Once you access the Folder, hit the Select option from the top menu bar or Long Press to see other Options.
  4. Select the File that you are willing to delete. 
  5. At last, select Delete Option from the bottom menu bar.
Delete Folder from iCloud Drive on iPhone Files app

Steps to share iCloud Drive files with others on iPad & iPad

The best part is that you can share Files stored in the iCloud Drive account with others and allow them to view iCloud Drive files or allow them to edit and view the shared files. 

  1. Access the Files App on your iPhone & iPad.
  2. On the next screen, go to the Locations menu.
  3. Tap on the iCloud Drive.
Open iCloud Drive in Finder on Mac
  1. On the iCloud Drive screen, you’ll find all your files and folders located on iCloud Drive. 
  2. Open the Folder you want to share with others.
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Open iCloud Drive on iPhone
  1. On the next screen, tap on the Select Option from the top right of the screen.
  2. After this, select the Files you’re willing to share.
  3. Next, hit on the Share Icon from the bottom menu.
  4. From the prompted menu, select sharing as per your preferences.
Share Files and Folder from iCloud Drive on iPhone files app

Steps to upgrade iCloud Drive Storage on iPhone & iPad

The iCloud Drive is limited to 5GB of storage space, which is only good enough to store iPhone Backups to iCloud. If this iCloud Storage is enough for you, you must upgrade to higher storage by following the steps below. 

  1. Access the Settings App on your iPhone & iPad.
  2. Tap on your Apple ID[Your Name] from the top.
  3. On the next screen, tap on iCloud.
Open iCloud settings on iPhone
  1. Hit on the Manage Account Storage. 
  2. Choose Change Storage Plan > Select Other Plans.
Manage iCloud Storage on iPhone
  1. Select a preferable plan and hit Upgrade to iCloud+.
  2. Hit on Subscribe to upgrade to iCloud+.
  3. If prompted, enter your Apple ID and hit on the Sign-In Button. 
Upgrade iCloud Storage on iPhone

How to enable iCloud Drive on Mac

  1. Go to the Apple Menu from the top left corner. Click on the System Settings…
Open apple logo click system settings on mac
  1. Select Apple ID[Your Name]. Click on iCloud from the next screen. 
Select apple ID then iCloud on mac
  1. Navigate to the iCloud Drive.
iCloud drive settings on Mac
  1. Click the toggle next to the Sync This Mac to enable iCloud Drive > Done
Turn ON sync iCloud Drive on Mac

Steps to access iCloud Drive Files on Mac

If you haven’t yet turned on the iCloud Drive on your Mac, fuss not; you can now enable it on your Mac anytime. Whether you have an older or new Mac, here is how you can enable iCloud Drive files on your Mac.

  1. Access the Finder on your Mac. 
  2. Click on the Go from the Mac menu bar. In the prompted menu, select iCloud Drive.
Open iCloud Drive in Finder top menu
  1. On the next screen, you’ll see iCloud Drive Folders & Files. 
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Open iCloud Drive on Finder sidebar

Steps to delete iCloud Drive Files on Mac

If you no longer want the iCloud Drive files on your Mac device, then here’s how you can delete them on your device.

  1. Click on the Finder Icon from your Mac dock.
  2. Select Go from Mac Menubar.
  3. In the prompted menu, select iCloud Drive.
Open iCloud Drive on Mac from top menu
  1. Here, you’ll see a folder list in the iCloud Drive.
  2. Now, open the Folder and drag the File to Trash. However, you can drag and drop the complete folder in the Trash. 
Delete Files and Folders from iCloud Drive on Mac

Steps to share iCloud Drive files with others on Mac

If you want to share iCloud Drive files from one Mac to another Apple Device, then here’s how you can do so. 

  1. Click on the Finder Icon from your Mac dock.
  2. Select Go from Mac Menubar.
  3. In the prompted menu, select iCloud Drive
  4. Here, you’ll see a list of folders stored in the iCloud Drive.
  5. If you want to share a complete folder, click on it to select or go to the desired folder and select the File you want to share.
  6. After this, click on Share Icon at the top left corner of the screen.
Select folder then share icon click mail on mac
  1. At last, share the Folder or File using the preferable way.

Steps to upgrade iCloud Drive Storage on Mac

To upgrade iCloud Drive, all you need to do is go to the Manage Account storage on your Mac and then select Change Storage Plan or My More Storage—however, the complete procedure is mentioned below. 

  1. Go to the Apple Menu on your Mac. Click on System Settings…
Open apple logo click system settings on mac
  1. Select your Apple ID[Your Name].
  2. Click on iCloud on the right side.
Select apple ID then iCloud on mac
  1. Choose Manage…
Click on mange on mac
  1. Select Buy More Storage or Change Storage Plan. Then select Plan. 
  2. Click on Next
  3. Enter your Apple ID and password.
Select change storage plan click done button on mac
  1. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish buying iCloud Storage. 

That’s It!

Final Thought!

This is how you can easily set up and access iCloud drive on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Moreover, if you have any relatable queries for iCloud Drive, please drop them in the comment box below. 

Jaysukh Patel
Jaysukh Patel

Jaysukh Patel is the founder of howtoisolve. Also self Professional Developer, Techno lover mainly for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and iOS, Jaysukh is one of responsible person in his family. Contact On: jaysukh.pharma@gmail.com [OR] admin@howtoisolve.com

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