If you find that there is more space in your iCloud than you need, then it is possible to downgrade the storage plan you use. Follow these steps to decrease your storage from the appropriate device.

How to Downgrade iCloud Storage from iOS

If you own an iPhone or an iPad, then these steps will let you manage your iCloud storage settings effectively.

  • Select iCloud through the Settings menu, and then choose Manage Storage, iCloud Storage, or just “Storage” depending on your iOS version.
  • Choose “Change Storage Plan.”
  • Tap on “Downgrade Options,” and then enter your password when prompted.
  • Choose the plan you want to have, and then select “Done” to save the settings.

How to Downgrade iCloud Storage on a Mac

If you use an iMac or a MacBook, then you can use this sequence of steps to downgrade your iCloud storage.

  • Choose the Apple menu, the Select Preferences, and then click iCloud from the options.
  • You’ll need to click the Manage command in the lower-right, and then choose “Change Storage Plan.”
  • Select “Downgrade Options,” and then enter your password when prompted.
  • Then you can select the plan you want before clicking “Done” to save changes.

How to Downgrade iCloud Storage from Windows

If you use a Windows computer or mobile device, it is still possible to downgrade your iCloud storage.

  • Open iCloud for Windows through your apps.
  • Click on Storage, and then choose “Change Storage Plan.”
  • Then select “Downgrade Options.” You will need to enter your Apple ID and password.
  • Choose the plan you want, and then click “Done” to finish the process.

TIP: Your storage decrease goes into effect when your current subscription period ends.

How do I downgrade iCloud storage for free?

Open the Apple menu and go to System Preferences > Apple ID, then select iCloud from the sidebar. Click Manage > Change Storage Plan > Downgrade Options. Enter your Apple ID password and click Manage. Select the Free 5 GB storage option and click Done.

What happens when you downgrade iCloud storage?

If you downgrade your storage plan and your content exceeds the storage you have available, new photos and videos won’t upload to iCloud Photo Library and your devices stop backing up to iCloud. If you cancel your plan or you don’t renew it, you‘ll automatically go back to 5GB of free storage.

How do I stop paying for iCloud storage?

To reduce the amount of iCloud storage consumed by iCloud backups, you can back up your iOS device(s) to a Mac or PC and delete existing backups you may have created from iCloud. You don’t actually have to back your devices up to iCloud, though it is convenient; you can use a Mac or PC running iTunes instead.

Will I lose photos if I downgrade iCloud storage?

The downgrade will take effect after your current monthly or annual subscription ends. If you downgrade your storage plan and your content exceeds the storage you have available, new photos and videos won’t upload to iCloud Photo Library and your devices will stop backing up to iCloud.

Do photos stay on iCloud forever?

Is it worth paying for iCloud storage?

The photos and videos that you delete on one device are deleted everywhere that you use iCloud Photos. Photos and videos stay in the Recently Deleted folder for 30 days before they’re deleted permanently.

Is iCloud storage worth it 2021?

Cloud storage has gotten more and more useful over the years — and more and more integrated with your apps and services. In fact, in 2020, you kind of need it. You might be able to get away with using a free plan at times, but even if you can’t, it’s well worth paying for.

Is 50GB iCloud storage enough?

The iCloud Drive file-syncing and storage service is worth using, especially if you’re committed to Apple’s ecosystem, but it doesn’t quite measure up to the competition from Google and Microsoft.

Why is iPhone storage full when I have iCloud?

For $0.99 per month, you get access to 50GB of storage on your iCloud account. It’s the lowest amount up the free 5GB plan. What’s great about this plan is that it offers enough space for a lot of people. 50GB of storage is more than enough to store a few backups, as well as your pictures, videos, and other files.

How do I keep photos in iCloud but delete from iPhone?

The biggest thing that takes up storage is photos. If you’re running iOS 9 or later, then go to Settings -> iCloud -> Photos and enable iCloud Photo Library. Then, make sure optimize iPhone storage is checked. Also, delete any apps that you may not use.

Does iCloud free up storage on iPhone?

Tap on “iCloud” (should be the first subtitle below name, security, and payment). 4. Tap on “iCloud Photos” and “My Photo Stream” so the green toggle isn’t showing – this will delete the iCloud album from your iPhone, but leave your album in iCloud intact.

Will deleting photos from iPhone delete from iCloud?

Use the Cloud

Moving files to the Cloud is an easy way to free up space locally on your iPhone. For those with large Camera Rolls, enabling Apple iCloud offers 5GB of space for free. There’s also an option under Settings > iCloud > Photos (when iCloud Photo Library is turned on) called Optimize iPhone Storage.

Where do permanently deleted photos go?

When you delete a photo or video from the Photos app on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, it also deletes from your iCloud Photos and any other devices where you’re signed in to iCloud Photos.

Can I delete my photos after backing up to iCloud?

If you deleted an item and want it back, check your trash to see if it’s there.
  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Photos app .
  2. At the bottom, tap Library Trash .
  3. Touch and hold the photo or video you want to restore.
  4. At the bottom, tap Restore. The photo or video will be back: In your phone’s gallery app.

How do I recover permanently deleted photos from iCloud?

With iCloud Photo Library on, clearing storage space isn’t a trivial task. Do not delete images or videos from iCloud.com. Do not delete images or videos from the Photos app in iOS for any device logged into the same iCloud account.

How can I recover permanently deleted photos from my iPhone after 30 days?

If you have your iPhone, go to Photos -> Albums, scroll all the way down, tap Recently Deleted, tap Select, then select all the photos and tap Recover. Your photos are back where they used to be. Easy! After that, select the photo you want to retrieve and tap Recover.

Can I recover permanently deleted photos from my iPhone without backup?

Your best option how to recover deleted photos after 30 days is to restore them from a local iTunes backup:
  1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac.
  2. Open iTunes.
  3. Select your iPhone.
  4. Click on the Restore Backup button.
  5. Select your backup and wait for the process to finish.

Is it possible to recover permanently deleted photos from iPhone?

If you have no backup then you can‘t restore them. First off, note that iCloud Photos simply mimics exactly what you have on your iOS device. If you delete the photo from your iPhone, it also deletes it on iCloud.