Top 8 Ways to Fix iCloud Drive Taking Up Too Much Space on iPhone
Apple iPhone provides a detailed storage breakdown to check space usage by apps, files, and folders. Recently, users have noticed that iCloud Drive consumes a significant amount of space on their phones. If you’re experiencing this issue, here are some effective solutions to fix the problem of iCloud Drive taking up space on your iPhone.
iCloud Drive can confuse you by taking up space on your iPhone. Low storage can cause errors when capturing photos, videos, and downloading apps and games. Here are the top tricks to stop iCloud Drive from using space on your iPhone.
1. Restart iPhone
Rebooting your iPhone can effectively troubleshoot problems. The system may be experiencing glitches in calculating device storage. Press and hold the side and volume keys, and use the slider to turn off the phone. Wait a few minutes, then press the power button to turn on the iPhone. Follow the steps below to recheck iCloud Drive storage.
Check Device Storage
Step 1: Launch Settings on your iPhone and scroll to General. Step 2: Select iPhone Storage.
Step 3: Scroll down to view iCloud Drive space.
If iCloud Drive keeps appearing in your internal storage, read on to find a solution.
2. Delete iCloud Drive Files
Downloaded large files and saved them to the iCloud Drive folder in the Files app? Manage these files from the Files app on your iPhone.
Step 1: Open the Files app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Select the iCloud Drive folder.
Tap three horizontal dots menu in the top-right corner and select folders and files to delete from the phone. Tap Delete.
Delete irrelevant subfolders.
3. Delete Recycle Bin
Deleting files and folders from the iCloud Drive menu in the Files sends them to the Recently Deleted menu, where Apple stores them for a few weeks. To stop iCloud Drive from taking up space, you should delete these files. Follow these steps:
1. Launch the Files app and go to the Recently Deleted menu.
2. Long-press on a file or folder and hit Delete Now.
4. Upload iCloud Drive Files to iCloud
If you have important files saved in iCloud Drive, upload them to iCloud to save space on your iPhone.
Step 1: Open the Files app and select iCloud Drive.
Step 2: Offline folders and subfolders do not have a cloud icon and take up space on your iPhone.
Step 3: Long-press the folder and choose Remove Download from the menu.
The system uploads folders and files to iCloud. Apple supports files on-demand on iPhone. You can long-tap on a folder and select Download Now to make files available offline.
5. Disable and Enable iCloud
People have complained about iCloud Drive taking up space on iPhones even when they don’t have files stored in the Files app. You can disable iCloud Drive sync on your iPhone to troubleshoot the problem.
Step 1: Open Settings on iPhone and go to your Apple profile. Step 2: Select iCloud and open iCloud Drive.
Step 3: Disable the Sync this iPhone toggle.
6. Manage App Syncing to iCloud Drive
Apple provides a detailed breakdown of iCloud Drive storage options in Settings. You can manage storage and app syncing using the steps below.
Step 1: Go to iCloud in iPhone Settings (see above steps). Step 2: Tap Manage Storage. Check the amount of iCloud Drive space. Tap Delete to remove files.
You can return to ‘Apps Syncing to iCloud Drive’ and disable apps on iCloud Drive.
7. Disable App Backups in iCloud
Third-party apps like WhatsApp use iCloud to store conversations and data. Many complain about incomplete WhatsApp sync on iCloud as the main issue.
Step 1: Go to the iCloud menu in iPhone Settings.
Step 2: Tap Show All and disable WhatsApp syncing with iCloud.
8. Update iOS
A bug in an iOS build can cause incorrect iCloud Drive storage calculation.
Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone and go to General. Tap Software Update.
Step 2: Download and install the latest iOS update on your iPhone.
Free Up Space on iPhone
Using your iPhone with low space is not advisable. You may encounter glitches with day-to-day tasks. Check our dedicated post on freeing up storage on your iPhone without deleting apps.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
My articles cover a wide range of topics, from troubleshooting out-of-sync audio on TikTok and managing Firestick devices, to understanding the impact of Capcut on video quality and resolving sound issues on Hisense Roku TVs.
I also delve into more general tech tips, like how to block numbers on landlines or use VPNs without Wi-Fi. My goal is to make technology more accessible and less intimidating for everyone, whether you’re a tech novice or a seasoned user. I strive to offer clear, concise, and helpful advice to make your digital experience smoother and more enjoyable.