How to Buy More iCloud Storage

Apple's iCloud is a handy way to sync and back up data across all your Apple devices. Every iCloud account comes with 5 gigabytes of free storage space. However, if you've hit your limit, you can buy iCloud storage with your Apple ID account.

Information in this article applies to Macs running macOS Catalina (10.15). The information for earlier versions of macOS is similar, as indicated. The iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch information applies to devices running iOS 13 through iOS 10.2.

Here's a look at the different iCloud plans and information on how to upgrade (or downgrade) your plan.

The Different iCloud Storage Plans

Your iCloud account comes with 5GB of free storage space on Apple's servers. If you want more than 5GB, you can buy additional storage using your Apple account. Paid iCloud plans are available with 50GB, 500GB, or 2 terabytes of storage.

50GB Plan: This plan is $0.99 a month and is sufficient for backing up basic data on your laptop and other devices.
200GB Plan: This plan is $2.99 a month and gives you plenty of space for large photos libraries, videos, and music collections.
2TB Plan: This plan sets you back $9.99 per month, but it can be shared among multiple users or family members.

To purchase iCloud storage, you need an active Apple ID with a credit card on file.

How to Buy More iCloud Storage on a Mac

Making changes to your iCloud storage plan is done in the System Preferences on the Mac.

Click the Apple logo at the top left side of your Mac's screen and select System Preferences.
Tap the Apple ID icon at the top of the System Preferences screen in macOS Catalina. In earlier versions of macOS, tap iCloud directly on the System Preferences screen.
Select iCloud in the left sidebar to reveal the apps you are currently backing up to iCloud (if any) and an indicator at the bottom of the screen showing how much storage space you are currently using and how much of that is currently available.

Choose Manage at the bottom of the screen.
Click Change Storage Plan (or Buy More Storage).
Place a check mark next to the storage plan you prefer: 50GB, 200GB, or 2TB and select Next.
To complete your purchase, enter your Apple ID password and click Buy.
With your successful purchase, your iCloud storage is upgraded immediately, and your monthly billing date is the same date as your purchase date. For example, if you purchase a 50 GB plan on August 15th, your next automatic payment will be on or around September 15th.

How to Downgrade or Cancel Your iCloud Storage Plan

If you upgrade your storage plan on your Mac and later find you no longer need the additional space, you can downgrade or cancel your iCloud storage plan.

You won't be able to downgrade your storage plan unless you're within the new plan storage limit. If you're over, you can delete files from your iCloud account. If you run into any issues, contact Apple support.

In System Preferences, go back to the iCloud Change Storage screen by tapping the Apple ID icon > iCloud > Manage > Change Storage Plan and click Downgrade Options at the bottom of the screen.
Enter your Apple ID password and select Manage.
Choose a different plan (or go back to the free 5GB plan to cancel paid storage) and click Done.

You can cancel your storage plan at any time if you decide you don't need as much space as you expected. When you downgrade your service, the storage decrease doesn't occur until your current monthly plan ends.

How to Buy More iCloud Storage on iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch

You can also purchase storage for your iCloud account on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. The storage plan can be used across all of your devices using the same Apple ID account.

Open Settings and tap your name at the top of the screen.
Tap iCloud.
Tap Manage Storage.
Select Change Storage Plan
Choose your preferred storage plan by tapping on it. Tap Buy to complete your purchase.