micfromca

Q: Your iCloud storage will be reduced to 5 GB

Received the following mail this morning:

 

Your iCloud storage will be reduced to 5 GB on 09/30/2012.
However, you are currently using more than 5 GB.

Unless you take action before your downgrade takes effect, backups to iCloud will stop, and apps will no longer be able to save documents to iCloud. You can either free up storage or cancel your downgrade to keep your current storage plan for another year.

 

Any idea as to the reasons I got this mail?

Posted on Sep 24, 2012 2:07 AM

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Q: Your iCloud storage will be reduced to 5 GB

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  • by TYDYsails,

    TYDYsails TYDYsails Sep 24, 2012 4:36 AM in response to micfromca
    Level 2 (158 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Sep 24, 2012 4:36 AM in response to micfromca

    Hi

     

    I got the same message too. I have to admit I do not have a clue what it means. I realised after reading it that I do not know what the relationship is between iCloud and mac.com (me.com - it you must) that I have paid for since it's inception.

     

    I am wondering what effect the kids iPads have on it all. I am away from home, with a non-working MBP (NVIDIA logic board gone), so I am at a loose end. I use Microsoft Outlook for my emails both on the MBP and on an iMac 27 at home and it has always worked fine with mac.com. I have not used iCloud for anything other than emails.

     

    The other point about the message is that it seems to refer to iOS devices more than normal computers.

     

    If anyone can explain the simple facts of life with this it would be much appreciated - before all my emails on the mac.com server (or is it the iCloud server) disappear.

     

    Thanks

     

    TY

  • by Roger Wilmut1,

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Sep 24, 2012 5:05 AM in response to TYDYsails
    Level 9 (78,283 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 24, 2012 5:05 AM in response to TYDYsails

    The message refers to the online storage space on iCloud, not memory space on devices.

     

    Your iCoud storage was increased by 20GB (from the normal free 5GB) for free until 30 September as a concession because you migrated from MobileMe. After that date you have either to pay for the additional storage or allow it to be downgraded (which will lose some of your data).

     

    The storage levels available are: additional 10GB, $20 p.a., 20 GB, $40 p.a., 50GB $100 p.a.

     

    To cancel the downgrade and continue with the current storage level ($40) follow the instructions in the email. For instructions on purchasing additional storage go to http://help.apple.com/icloud/#mmd602084a and expand 'Purchase additional iCloud storage'.

  • by ACStoliker,

    ACStoliker ACStoliker Sep 24, 2012 6:27 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 24, 2012 6:27 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

    I received the same email....

    I followed the instructions: Settings>iCloud>Storage&Backup>ChangeStoragePlan

    The 20GB/$40/year plan is already checked and is what I want, so I don't know why I'm being reduced to 5GB.  I tried to select "Buy", but that button is not highlighted/selectable unless I choose the 50GB/$100 plan, but I don't want to do that.

     

    It looks like I have it set up correctly for automatic renewal of the 20GB plan, but the email I received says it's going to drop to 5GB unless I take action.  What action am I suppose to take?

  • by Hobbits,

    Hobbits Hobbits Sep 24, 2012 6:54 AM in response to micfromca
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 24, 2012 6:54 AM in response to micfromca

    So let me see if I understand this correctly. 

     

    Tim Cook, CEO of Apple is standing before the world telling us that iCloud is the wave of the future and it's here now. Gone are optical drives, need for bigger SDD or HDDs, and with IOS6 and Mountain Lion, documents, pictures, movies, and musics seamlessly move across all your authorized platforms.

     

    DO YOU THINK HE MIGHT HAVE MENTIONED THAT HE WAS GOING TO CHARGE FOR THAT NEW TECHNOLOGY?!?

     

    What a complete rip-off. I have drank the Apple Kool-Aid and it isn't very good. Now a basic feature that I have come to relay on is gone and Apple will not get one red cent from me for doing so. Yes, they are big, rich and I am nothing in their eyes but its one more revenue stream they will not profit by.

     

    While I am on the subject, great job Apple of getting rid of YouTube, a key intergrated application that I used daily until IOS6. Gone as well is transportation in your crappy map app. Sure was nice when it was Google and I could plan on it for the CTA (shout out to my fellow Chicagoians).  Next time Tim Cook wants to measure sizes with Google, just accept they make a better product and use it. When you get in an ego fight it's the customer that loses, not you. Remember all the great PC makers that have come and gone because they tried to be all things and block everyone out: Packard Bell, Wang, Gateway, IBM PC, Sony, and the list goes on.

     

    Apple's ego is running the company. This is why the Samsung Galaxy commerical hit home to so many of us; why stand in line for a product that is behind the times and doesn't listen to its customers because it thinks it knows us better than we know ourselves.  Guess you must have forgotten about me.

  • by Roger Wilmut1,

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Sep 24, 2012 6:55 AM in response to ACStoliker
    Level 9 (78,283 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 24, 2012 6:55 AM in response to ACStoliker

    The email should contain instructions for cancelling the downgrade and you should follow those: then you would be charged on 1 October.

  • by ACStoliker,

    ACStoliker ACStoliker Sep 24, 2012 7:16 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 24, 2012 7:16 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

    Roger,

    Thanks for your help, but I've run into a dead end there too...

    I did as you suggested and went to >ChangeStoragePlan>DowngradeOptions

    What I found was my "Current Plan" is 20GB/$40 with a check mark to the right of it. This looks correct.

    Below that is "Downgrade or Cancel Plan" with two options: 5GB/Free with an arrow in a red circle next to it, and 10GB/$20 below that. When I select 5GB/Free, the check mark moves from the 20GB to the 5GB. I'm reluctant to select "Done" at this point because I don't want the 5GB, I want to leave it at 20GB. Again, it looks like I have it set up properly, but the email tells me otherwise.

    Could the email be erroneous?

  • by ACStoliker,

    ACStoliker ACStoliker Sep 24, 2012 7:21 AM in response to ACStoliker
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 24, 2012 7:21 AM in response to ACStoliker

    Hey Roger,

    I just had a thought...

    Is the 20GB plan no longer available after September 30th?

    Are the only choices after that time the 5GB, 10 GB, and the 50GB?

    That would certainly explain the email.

  • by Roger Wilmut1,

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Sep 24, 2012 7:40 AM in response to ACStoliker
    Level 9 (78,283 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 24, 2012 7:40 AM in response to ACStoliker

    AFAIK the choices remain 5GB free, then additional 10, 20 and 50GB. It looks as if what you want to do is confirm that you want to stay as you are (and thus be charged).

     

    Apple say 'If you set up iCloud to automatically downgrade your storage after the current storage plan expires, then decide you want to renew the current storage plan, you can easily cancel the downgrade. If you cancel the downgrade, you receive the currently requested storage amount when your plan renews.'

     

    'automatically downgrade your storage after the current storage plan expires' is the situation you are in, so you need to cancel the impending downgrade.

     

    Please see http://help.apple.com/icloud/index.html#mmd602084a and expand 'Cancel your storage downgrade for the next plan year'.

  • by PatsyKB51,

    PatsyKB51 PatsyKB51 Sep 24, 2012 7:46 AM in response to ACStoliker
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPad
    Sep 24, 2012 7:46 AM in response to ACStoliker

    Okay, I think I have it -  but PLEASE tell me if I don't have it, because the steps needed too keep my current plan as is wasn't immediately apparent.

     

    I have the 20GB $40/year plan.

     

    In the Downgrade Options window, once you get there via iCloud Storage on your iPhone or iPad, you'll see your Current plan with two Downgrade options below.

     

    Apple has "helpfully" checked "5GB Free" which would of course wipe out much of my stored data.

     

    Click your CURRENT PLAN at the top - the checkmark will move. I THINK (I hope) that took care of it, because neither downgrade option is checked anymore.

     

    Does anyone know for certain? It would be nice if Apple sent a helpful confirmation email after this procedure is done, but noooo.

  • by ACStoliker,

    ACStoliker ACStoliker Sep 24, 2012 7:54 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 24, 2012 7:54 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

    Thank you for your help, Roger,

    I am trying to follow the 'Cancel your storage downgrade for the next plan year' instructions, but there's a disconnect somewhere between the instructions and what is actually displayed..,

     

    "1. Tap Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup > Change Storage Plan."

      

    No problem there. Straight forward.

     

    "2. Tap Downgrade options, then tap to put a checkmark beside your current plan."

     

    No problem there either.  In fact, the checkmark is already next to my current and desired plan; 20GB.

     

    "3. To confirm you want to set up iCloud to renew your current storage plan when the next payment is due, tap Confirm."

     

    Here's the problem. There is NO Confirm button/option to tap. There is a "Done" button at the top right of the screen, however it is not highlighted/selectable unless I select the 5GB or 10GB plans.

     

    Again, thank you for your help.

  • by PatsyKB51,

    PatsyKB51 PatsyKB51 Sep 24, 2012 8:03 AM in response to ACStoliker
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPad
    Sep 24, 2012 8:03 AM in response to ACStoliker

    I read ACStoliker's comments and, sure enough, they're absolutely right.

     

    I also have my current plan checked. BUT the "BUY" button is greyed out.

     

    I went to Downgrade Options and there, too, my current plan is checked (neither downgrade is checked).

     

    BUT the "DONE" button is greyed out.

     

    So I backed out via "CANCEL" buttons and reread the "Choose an Upgrade...message" ("You will be charged immediately and each year until you change or cancel your plan.") and decided, "Well...okay then, maybe I've just confirmed that I want to keep my 20GB? I hope?

     

    But I'm not sure.

     

    You know, Apple seems to be becoming LESS intuitive, LESS user friendly as time goes on. I'm pretty knowledgeable and capable when it comes to my Apple devices, but this has me flummoxed. I have friends who don't even know what "iOS" means...they're NEVER going to be able to handle this.

     

    Keep the discussion going until we find a definite answer!

  • by Roger Wilmut1,

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Sep 24, 2012 8:04 AM in response to ACStoliker
    Level 9 (78,283 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 24, 2012 8:04 AM in response to ACStoliker

    I can't really tell you any more than I already have - I haven't had the email, and in any case I don't have a compliant Mac or an iOS device to try it out on. If you can't match Apple's instructions to the reality I can only suggest that you contact Support: http://www.apple.com/support/icloud/contact/

     

    However if you use Express Lane may find you cannot proceed without entering a hardware serial number which is still eligible for AppleCare.  julia22 managed to find a way round that by phoning them - please see this post:

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/message/16968425#16968425

     

    it gives the USA number - if you don't live there you will have to find an equivalent number from the 'Contact Us' link at bottom right of this page.

  • by ACStoliker,

    ACStoliker ACStoliker Sep 24, 2012 8:07 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 24, 2012 8:07 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

    I'll give it a shot.

    Thanks for taking the time to help.

  • by micfromca,

    micfromca micfromca Sep 24, 2012 8:08 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 24, 2012 8:08 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

    "Your iCoud storage was increased by 20GB (from the normal free 5GB) for free until 30 September as a concession because you migrated from MobileMe. After that date you have either to pay for the additional storage or allow it to be downgraded (which will lose some of your data)."

     

    Thanks Roger, that explains the why I had 25GB.

     

    For obvious reasons I prefer your way of stating things:

    "The email should contain instructions for cancelling the downgrade and you should follow those: then you would be charged on 1 October."

     

    rather than the misleading

     

    "You can either free up storage or cancel your downgrade to keep your current storage plan for another year"

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