Upgraded to iCloud+, have the 50GB but there is nothing new being stored?

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Level 1

4 points

Upgraded to iCloud+, have the 50GB but there is nothing new being stored?

Potentially a silly question, but I'm having trouble understanding...

For literal years I have got the alert that my free 5GB of iCloud storage is full. I finally decided that I would upgrade to iCloud+ for more storage, my iPhone X is getting pretty old and I worry about something tragic happening and not having a backup of everything I want/need. So, I upgraded to the 50GB plan. I have the 50GB, I can see all the extra space that is available, but nothing more than before is being stored, my phone says "5GB of 50GB Used"...?(unsure if that makes sense). I have everything on my phone set to backup to iCloud, but even with the upgraded amount of storage, there is nothing new being stored in iCloud. I would have assumed that if my iCloud storage was full for so long prior, I would have at least SOME new data that would flow in to this larger storage space.... Does this mean it was an unnecessary upgrade? Am I doing something wrong? Help me understand! :)

iPhone X

Posted on Aug 26, 2022 7:58 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Dorain1

Community Specialist

Aug 27, 2022 11:06 AM in response to Allyson751

Hey Allyson751,

We understand wanting to know all your data, photos, etc. is safe should something happen. Reading your post you mentioned years since the last back up completed, and it sounds like your backup size may be larger than 50 GB. There is a way to look at the storage size needed for the backup. We'll place the steps below along with the article for more details.

If you can't back up to iCloud - Apple Support

Check your iCloud storage and Next Backup Size in iOS or iPadOS

1. Go to Settings > [your name].

2. Tap iCloud. The amount of iCloud storage that you've used is listed at the top. Learn more.

3. Tap Manage Storage.

4. Tap Backups, then tap the device you're using. Next Backup Size is listed under Last Backup and Backup Size.

It may take a few minutes for your device to calculate Next Backup Size.

This should help you determine what size storage is needed for iCloud. Another good resource we would like to share is going to be Manage your iCloud storage - Apple Support.

Good luck!

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Answer 2

Aug 27, 2022 2:17 PM in response to Allyson751

Allyson751,

No worries. You can choose what's included in your iCloud backups. Keep in mind that even if you use iCloud to store your photos, they will still take up space on your device. See: What does iCloud back up? - Apple Support

"Here’s what iCloud Backup includes

App data
Apple Watch backups1
Device settings
Home screen and app organization
iMessage, text (SMS), and MMS messages2
Photos and videos on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch2
Purchase history from Apple services, like your music, movies, TV shows, apps, and books3
Ringtones
Visual Voicemail password (requires the SIM card that was in use during backup)"

You can also reduce the size of your iCloud backup if you'd like to. Check this out: Manage your iCloud storage - Apple Support

Reduce the size of your iCloud Backup

When you back up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to iCloud, the most important information on your device is backed up automatically. Learn more about what iCloud backs up.

Many iOS apps automatically back up to iCloud after you install them. You can decrease the size of your iCloud Backup and free up space in iCloud when you stop backing up apps that you don't use or delete old iCloud backups.

1. Choose which apps to back up on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

2. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud.

3. Tap Manage Storage > Backups.

4. Tap the name of the device that you're using.

5. Turn off any apps that you don't want to back up.

Choose Turn Off & Delete.

When you confirm that you want to Turn Off & Delete an app, it turns off iCloud Backup for that app and removes all of its information from iCloud.

Cheers.

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Answer 3

judysings

Community Specialist

Aug 29, 2022 1:36 PM in response to Allyson751

Allyson751,

It might be helpful for you to speak with an AppleCare technical advisor regarding the issue you are having with iCloud storage. Click the link below, choose the phone number for your region from the list, and call when it is convenient.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

Take care.

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Answer 4

Allyson751 Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 27, 2022 12:11 PM in response to Dorain1

Thank you Dorain1, this is very helpful. I see that my “Next Backup” size is 47GB, so that would be too large for the 45 GB of free space I have.

pardon my ignorance, but I am still a bit confused. What is the purpose of having the apps “checked” on that first screen after you select ICloud in settings? Many of the apps under backups are already checked on that first screen, but at the same time, 90% of those apps selected in the first screen arent listed at all when I select “manage storage” so I’m assuming apps are not backed up through that selection as it doesn’t free up any storage if I unselect them… I guess I’m just not understanding what the purpose of that first screen where you can select apps is? Nor do I understand why under manage storage there are apps/files listed then duplicates of those same things are listed under the backups selections. Am I attempting to save my photo library, etc. twice, once generally through iCloud, and again through a backup of the entire device to iCloud?

again, I am so sorry for these convoluted and probably dumb questions, my lack of experience with iCloud is laughable and I’m having lots of trouble trying to answer my pondering through Google searches, that’s probably just an indicator of how silly my questions are… you are much appreciated!

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Answer 5

Allyson751 Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 29, 2022 11:27 AM in response to Allyson751

My deepest apologies, but nothing seems to be addressing the second portion of my question and response to Dorain1. I’m still confused… so sorry!! What is the function of the options when you first open iCloud via settings on an iPhone? I go to settings, select my name at the top, then select iCloud. without going any further, this screen has things for me to toggle on and off. But when I do choose to go further and select Manage storage, then select backups, where I can then select what I want included in my iPhone backup, many of the options I can toggle on and off are repeats of items from that initial screen. In the attached photos you can see a quick example of some of the things that are duplicates.

Why? I understand that toggling the options on and off when I have navigated to them through clicking backups chooses what I do or do not want included in my iPhone backup, but what purpose does it serve on the first screen, what exactly am I toggling on and off?

I appreciate everyone’s kind responses SO MUCH! You have all been great help to this thoroughly confused gal!

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Upgraded to iCloud+, have the 50GB but there is nothing new being stored?

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