Your Apple account comes with 5GB of cloud storage for free. Don’t think that’s enough? It’s probably not. You could go through the trouble of freeing up storage space on your device, or if you consistently find yourself running out of room, it may be worth it to upgrade. Apple’s iCloud+ subscription offers expansive upgrade tiers and adds exclusive security and privacy features…for a price.
In addition to more cloud-based storage for all your photos and files, iCloud+ gives you access to Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domain, HomeKit Secure Video, and Apple Invites. The plan is accessible from your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV, and can be shared with as many as five family members.
How Much Storage Can I Buy?
(Credit: Apple)
Apple’s file backup and syncing service comes in six different tiers. The base iCloud tier includes 5GB of online storage for free. You’re able to back up and synchronize your photos, email, contacts, calendars, notes, reminders, messages, and other content online. If you’re looking to pay, you have five options:
Your plan also includes several enhanced features that are not available on the free tier.
What Comes With iCloud+?
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Though it’s primarily for extra storage, iCloud+ also comes with a few bonus features. As long as you pay for one of the five premium tiers, you also get the following features available right from your Apple devices:
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Private Relay: This is Apple’s take on a VPN aimed at keeping your internet activities private and protected when using Safari. However, it differs from traditional VPN services by replacing your IP address with one from a range of anonymous addresses based on your general region. Your internet traffic is sent through two separate hops, or relays, by two separate companies, so no single entity (not even Apple) can monitor your online activity.
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Hide My Email: This feature is an improved version of the Sign in with Apple feature that lets you use an anonymous Apple ID to register with certain apps and websites. Whereas Sign in with Apple works only with supported apps and websites, Hide My Email allows you to use a random email address—using a private.icloud.com domain—for any website or online form to cut down on spam.
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Custom Email Domain: Designed for anyone who already has their own personal domain name, Custom Email Domain allows you to send and receive iCloud Mail using your own domain name instead of an iCloud.com address. Apple’s iCloud Mail supports up to five personal domains, each with up to three email addresses.
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HomeKit Secure Video: iCloud+ also has more options for those who use HomeKit Secure Video. The 50GB iCloud option supports one HomeKit Secure Video camera, while the 200GB tier supports up to five. Additional tiers offer unlimited camera support.
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Apple Invites: Apple Invites allows subscribers to create event invitations through integrations with Apple Music, Maps, Weather, and Image Playground. You don’t need a subscription or Apple device to RSVP.
How to Purchase More iCloud Storage
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To see how much iCloud storage you have, go to Settings on your phone, tap your name, then open iCloud to see your total amount of storage and what is already being used. If you’re on the free tier, you’ll see an Upgrade to iCloud+ button. If you’re signed up but need to add more space, tap Manage Account Storage under the iCloud storage graph and choose Change Storage Plan to pick a new tier.
(Credit: PCMag / Apple)
What About the Apple One Bundle?
If you’re looking to consolidate your bills from Apple, it may be worthwhile to sign up for the Apple One bundle. This single subscription brings together iCloud+, Apple Music, Apple TV (formerly Apple TV+), and Apple Arcade. Apple One Individual costs $19.95 per month and includes 50GB of storage. If you have multiple family members, the Family plan is $27.95 per month and offers 200GB for up to five people. The Premier tier is $39.95 and kicks in 2TB of storage, plus Apple Fitness+ and Apple News+.
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It’s a lot more expensive than the standalone cloud storage pricing, so if all you need is a few more gigs of space, this probably isn’t for you. However, if you’re already paying for Apple Music and Apple TV, it’s at least worth considering.
Share Your iCloud Plan With Family Members
If you’re subscribed to the 200GB iCloud+ or higher, you can share the plan’s benefits with other family members through the Apple Family feature. On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings and tap your name, then open iCloud > Manage Account Storage > Share with Family. Tap Share Storage Plan and then select Send Invitation to compose a message that will be sent out to your family members.
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As each person accepts the invitation, they’re added to your iCloud family. After your family members have joined, tap Family Usage on your Account Storage screen to see how much space each person is using for data backup and storage. Here, you can also choose to stop sharing your iCloud+ plan with your family.
(Credit: PCMag / Apple)
About Our Experts
Lance Whitney
Contributor
Experience
I’ve been working for PCMag since early 2016 writing tutorials, how-to pieces, and other articles on consumer technology. Beyond PCMag, I’ve written news stories and tutorials for a variety of other websites and publications, including CNET, ZDNet, TechRepublic, Macworld, PC World, Time, US News & World Report, and AARP Magazine. I spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET as one of the site’s East Coast reporters. I’ve also written two books for Wiley & Sons—Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time and Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.
I’ve used Windows, Office, and other Microsoft products for years so I’m well versed in that world. I also know the Mac quite well. I’m always working with iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and Android on my various mobile devices. And these days, I write a lot about AI, so that’s become another key area for me.
My wife always jokes about all the tech products we have around the house, but I manage to put them to good use for my articles. I like Lenovo computers, so I own a couple of Lenovo desktops and several laptops. I have three MacBooks and a Mac mini. For my mobile life and work, I use an iPhone 16 Pro, iPad Pro, and iPad mini as well as an Apple Watch. But since I write about Android, I own several Android phones and tablets. Like any tech person, I have a cabinet full of cables, wires, and assorted mysterious gadgets. And when it’s time to take a break from writing, I have an old Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, both of which I use for exercise and fitness games.
Jason Cohen
Senior Editor, Help & How To
Experience
As PCMag’s editor of how to content, I have to cover a wide variety of topics and also make our stories accessible to everyday users. Considering my history as a technical writer, copywriter, and all-around freelancer covering baseball, comics, and more at various outlets, I am used to making myself into an expert.
I believe tech corporations are bad, but you might as well know how to use technology in everyday life. Want more how to content delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the tips and tricks newsletter that I curate three times a week.
My job as how-to guru means I use just about every gadget under the sun, so I can figure out how everything works. I work from a Lenovo ThinkPad running Windows 11, but also have a very large Dell Inspiron 17 3000 and Apple silicon MacBook. I have a Google Pixel 6a for personal use and use a Galaxy Z Flip 4 for additional Samsung-related testing. For iOS coverage, an iPhone 13 mini works like a charm, though it’s already becoming a little long in the tooth.
My desktop situation includes a dual monitor setup with a modest Acer monitor. I also use a Logitech vertical mouse (who can use these ThinkPad trackpads) and a Havit keyboard (my first mechanical keyboard; I love it but my wife hates it!). I’m a recent convert from wired headphones; I have Anker Soundcore Liberty Air wireless earbuds for personal use and have taken to the Sennheiser HD 450BT headphones for work.
Whenever I have a second to myself, I’m probably gaming on my Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, or Xbox Series S. I also still have a bunch of classic consoles lying around as well.
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