Using an iPad 2 Running iOS 9.2
Settings / General / About tells me I have 2000 songs, 6000 photos and 83 videos Using RAM Capacity.
Is there a way to utilize iCloud to offload these items from the iPad yet still be able to access them?
No, not in the sense in which you are thing. iCloud is not a file/media/photo storage facility. iCloud is used for backups and for iCloud Photo Library. If you use iCloud Photo Library and you delete photos from your device, they are deleted everywhere and will be lost. You can download the photos from iCloud to your computer and then safely delete them from the iPad.
iCloud Photo Library FAQ - Apple Support
As for the songs, they cal also be transferred into iTunes on your computer, or you can simply delete them and then download them again when you desire to so so, but you must use the same Apple ID that you bought the music with and the songs must still be available in the iTunes Store.
IF you do use iTunes, it is always best to transfer all content or download again into iTunes in case they content is no longer available in the store.
If you do use iCloud Photo Library, you can set to "Optimize iPad Storage", which will reduce the resolution and size of the files kept on the device, saving some space, and keep the full resolution photos in iCloud. However deleting photo's/videos from the device also deletes them from iCloud.
Settings > Photos & Camera > iCloud Photo Library > ON, Optimize Storage > ON
Note that to use iCloud Photo Library with the size collection you have, you'll have to purchase additional iCloud space beyond the 5GB free
You can keep all your iTunes music in iCloud, deleting them from the phone. You then can stream them if you have WiFi or cellular data but won't be accessible when you don't have internet access.
Settings > Music > iCloud Music Library > ON
modular747 wrote:
You can keep all your iTunes music in iCloud, deleting them from the phone. You then can stream them if you have WiFi or cellular data but won't be accessible when you don't have internet access.
Settings > Music > iCloud Music Library > ON
This applies to using Apple Music, does it not? If the OP does not use Apple Music, this option does not exist. Apple Music is a monthly subscription streaming service so that should be made known as well.
No, this applies to iTunes Match which stores already purchased iTunes and non-iTunes music in the iCloud Music Library. It does require a subscription to iTunes Match.
iCloud Music Library: Understanding differences between Apple Music and iTunes Match - Apple Support
In any event, if the OP isn't using either feature, then the suggestion will not apply.
Since the OP said nothing at all about using or not using either of these services, the recommendation does apply. He is free to subscribe to iTunes Match for $24.00/year if hasn't already done so as way to offload some or all of the music and iTunes purchased movies/videos from his phone (should be backed up on his computer nevertheless).
Photos on Device vs on iCloud
