How to Cancel Your iCloud Storage Plan

Or downgrade your iCloud subscription instead

By
Jerri Ledford
Jerri Ledford
Jerri Ledford
Senior News Editor, Fact Checker
  • Western Kentucky University
  • Gulf Coast Community College
Jerri L. Ledford has been writing, editing, and fact-checking tech stories since 1994. Her work has appeared in Computerworld, PC Magazine, Information Today, and many others.
lifewire's editorial guidelines
Updated on March 16, 2022
Reviewed by
Ryan Perian
Ryan Perian headshot
Reviewed by Ryan Perian
  • Western Governors University
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
lifewire's editorial guidelines

What to Know

  • iOS: Settings > [Your Name] > Manage Storage or iCloud Storage > Change Storage Plan > Downgrade Options > sign in > Manage.
  • Mac: System Preference > Apple ID > iCloud > Manage > Change Storage Plan > Downgrade Options > sign in > Manage.

This article provides instructions and information on downgrading your iCloud storage plan using an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac, or Windows computer.

How to Cancel Your iCloud Storage Plan

Steps to cancel your iCloud storage plan aren't challenging. However, the instructions are different on an iOS or iPadOS device, a Mac, or a Windows computer.

Cancel Your iCloud Storage Plan from an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch

To cancel your iCloud storage plan from an iOS or iPadOS device, these are the steps you should take.

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Tap your name at the top of the screen.

  3. Scroll down and tap iCloud.

    Screenshots illustrating the iCloud Storage option in Settings on iPhone.

  4. Tap Manage Storage.

    On some iOS or iPadOS versions, you may need to select iCloud Storage rather than Manage Storage.

  5. Then tap Change Storage Plan.

  6. Tap Downgrade Options.

    Screenshots showing the location of storage plan options for downgrading on iOS.

  7. You're prompted to sign in with your Apple ID password. Enter those credentials and tap Manage.

  8. Finally, choose the storage plan you want to use. If you choose the free option, you'll still be able to access your current storage level until your current billing cycle ends.

    Screenshots showing the iCloud+ storage options on iOS.

Cancel Your iCloud Storage Plan from a Mac

The steps for canceling your iCloud storage plan from a Mac are only slightly different from canceling a storage plan on an iOS device.

  1. Open System Preferences.

    A screenshot showing the location of the Preferences option on a Mac computer.

  2. Click Apple ID.

    The location of the Apple ID on macOS.

  3. Select iCloud > Manage.

    The Manage option for iCloud storage on macOS.

  4. Choose Change Storage Plan.

    The Change Storage Plan option on macOS.

  5. Click Downgrade Options.

    The option to downgrade iCloud storage on macOS.

  6. Enter your Apple ID password and click Manage.

    The Apple ID requirements on macOS when changing storage plans.

  7. Choose the plan you want to downgrade to and then click Done. Regardless of what option you choose, your current storage level will remain available until your current billing cycle ends.

    A screenshot of the iCloud Storage Plan options.

How Do I Cancel iCloud Subscription Without Apple?

You don't have to be using an Apple device or computer to cancel your iCloud storage plan. If you need to, you can cancel it using a Windows computer, too.

These instructions assume you have the iCloud storage app installed on your Windows PC.

  1. Open iCloud for Windows.

  2. Click Storage > Change Storage Plan.

  3. Select Downgrade Options.

  4. Enter your Apple ID password and then click Manage.

  5. Select the plan you want to use. Remember that you may lose access to some of the extra iCloud+ features that you have as a storage subscriber when selecting the free plan.

What Happens if I Cancel My iCloud Storage Plan?

Once you cancel your iCloud storage, you can expect things to change slightly. The two most significant changes you may experience include:

  • If your storage needs exceed your available storage, your data won't sync or backup to iCloud.
  • You'll lose access to iCloud+ features like Hide My Email, Private Relay, and HomeKit Secure Video support.
FAQ
  • How does an iCloud storage plan work?

    When you sign up for iCloud, you automatically get 5GB of free storage for your photos, files, and backups. You can upload, store, and share your data and access it from any web browser on an internet-enabled device. If you opt for the premium iCloud+ service, you can choose from three paid tiers that offer 50GB to 2TB of storage. You'll gain additional features like custom email domains and Hide My Email, depending on what level you choose.

  • How do I clear iCloud storage?

    To clear space on iCloud, you can delete old backup data from devices you no longer use. To do this, open Settings on your iPad or iPhone and tap Apple ID > Manage Storage > Backups. If you see a device listed you no longer use, tap Delete Backup. You can also delete unneeded photos and videos to clear out more iCloud storage: Open the Photos app, tap Albums, and scroll down to Media Type. Delete photos and videos you don't want anymore.

  • How do I get more iCloud storage?

    If you need more iCloud storage, upgrade your iCloud storage plan to one of the iCloud+ paid tiers. You can get plans with 50GB, 200GB, and 2TB of storage. The cost of your update will be billed to the Apple ID you use with iCloud.

Was this page helpful?