The-Blob
Level 1 (8 points)
iCloud

Q: What to do when "Optimize Storage" isn't enough?

This is more of a discussion/opinion post.

 

Imagine you have 1TB of iCloud space, and a 16GB iPhone. Nearly all 1TB of iCloud space is being used by iCloud Photo Library, including photos and videos. You enable iCloud Photo Library on the iPhone, and Optimize Storage is enabled. However, at some point iCloud has compressed and downsized your photos as much as possible, yet the entire library still doesn't fit on your 16GB iPhone.

 

You could just disable iCloud Photo Library on the phone, however new photos won't upload automatically to your other devices. As a non tech-savvy user, you want things to "just work".

 

In this case, what is the "Apple way" to remedy this situation?

Posted on Sep 8, 2016 1:06 PM

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The-Blob

Q: What to do when "Optimize Storage" isn't enough?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by zinacef,

    zinacef zinacef Sep 8, 2016 2:58 PM in response to The-Blob
    Level 4 (3,320 points)
    Applications
    Sep 8, 2016 2:58 PM in response to The-Blob

    Hypothetically speaking for the situation you describe, I can't see there being an "Apple way" to remedy the situation.  The only thing I can think of and suggest is using a third-party solution which I can certainly recommend if that's what you're looking for.

  • by LACAllen,

    LACAllen LACAllen Sep 8, 2016 7:20 PM in response to The-Blob
    Level 5 (4,650 points)
    iCloud
    Sep 8, 2016 7:20 PM in response to The-Blob

    1. Get a larger capacity phone.

    2. Remove some content from the equation.

     

    You can't really get 10 pounds of sausage into a 5 pound skin now can you?

  • by Rysz,

    Rysz Rysz Sep 8, 2016 9:35 PM in response to The-Blob
    Level 7 (20,315 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 8, 2016 9:35 PM in response to The-Blob

    You could just disable iCloud Photo Library on the phone, however new photos won't upload automatically to your other devices.

    When you don't want to use iCPL, you go back to using My Photo Stream and iTunes to import and sync your photos.

     

    In any case, if you expect to have a terabyte of images in iCloud, you should start out with an iDevice that has more than 16 GB of memory.

  • by The-Blob,

    The-Blob The-Blob Sep 10, 2016 8:00 PM in response to The-Blob
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iCloud
    Sep 10, 2016 8:00 PM in response to The-Blob

    Thanks for the insight.

     

    I can extend this example to other areas of iCloud as well, like iCloud Drive. iCloud Drive on Mac offers no "selective sync", meaning if you have 1TB of documents, spreadsheets, etc and only a 500GB Mac, you are limited to a workflow of manual uploading and downloading files from icloud.com.

     

    Unless iCloud ever offers a "choose what to sync" feature, the only solution I see is to simply archive old data onto external media and delete it from iCloud entirely. Perhaps I'll submit feedback to Apple on this.

     

    My examples are exaggerated of course and likely don't apply to the vast majority of users. However, for those using iCloud services to store *everything*, at some point in the future the limitations of iCloud's "all or nothing" approach will grind syncing to a halt, calling for a very laborious data-shuffling process for the user.

  • by zinacef,

    zinacef zinacef Sep 10, 2016 8:49 PM in response to The-Blob
    Level 4 (3,320 points)
    Applications
    Sep 10, 2016 8:49 PM in response to The-Blob

    I can certainly understand and appreciate fully what you're saying, but the only way for Apple to know or improve their services, is for users like yourself, to come forward, and suggest these ideas at http://www.apple.com/feedback/ so that Apple can improve.

  • by LACAllen,

    LACAllen LACAllen Sep 11, 2016 12:44 AM in response to The-Blob
    Level 5 (4,650 points)
    iCloud
    Sep 11, 2016 12:44 AM in response to The-Blob

    I think this is your takeaway.

    However, for those using iCloud services to store *everything*,

     

    iCloud is not that product. As currently designed, iCloud is not an effective strategy for those who want to store everything off device.

     

    If your transportation needs include hauling sheets of drywall every weekend, don't buy a Mini Cooper.

     

    Great car. Lousy truck.

     

     

    Having said that... changes are coming to iCloud Drive as part of macOS Sierra. Still not the granular level of control I think you are seeking.

     

    Still a product for those who are comfortable with aspects of their file management being driven by an algorithm.

     

    macOS Sierra releases on the 20th.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-09-11 at 3.36.02 AM.png