Change which apps sync and store data with iCloud - Apple Support (2024)

FAQs

How do you change what apps are backed up to iCloud? ›

Adding the extension . nosync to a file is a simple way to prevent iCloud from syncing that file. This technique is useful for selective syncing.

You'll fill it up fast, so you need to be judicious about what you store in an iCloud backup. This is especially true if you have, say, both an iPhone and an iPad. One way you can free up some additional storage to use elsewhere is by manually choosing what app data gets stored, and what won't!

iCloud Backup includes app data for the apps that you've downloaded on your device. This includes data for third-party social media apps, games, and messaging apps, as well as apps from Apple that don't sync with iCloud.

Knowing which one to use and when is one part of using your cloud storage effectively. The short version is that a backup is a copy of a file that you store so you can retrieve it if you need it, while sync involves having a file in two or more locations where changes made in one copy are reflected across all others.

On your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud. Do one of the following: iOS 16, iPadOS 16, or later: Tap iCloud Drive, then turn on Sync this [device].

You can also select exactly what data is synced to iCloud storage. Open Settings and tap your name. Choose iCloud on your phone and tap the Show All link under Apps Using iCloud section. Items like Calendars, Contacts, Health, Photos, Reminders, Wallet, and more can be enabled or disabled from here.

The Benefits of iCloud Drive Selective Sync

Selective Sync iCloud Drive is a feature that allows users to choose specific files and folders to synchronize across their devices. By enabling Selective Sync, users can conserve local storage space on their devices by only syncing the files they need.

Can you choose what to upload to iCloud? ›

You can upload JPEG images from your computer to your Personal Library using iCloud.com. If you want to upload photos to your iCloud Shared Photo Library, use the Photos app on a device with iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, or later. Select the photos you want to add from your computer, then click Upload.

Disabling iCloud Drive will stop syncing files to your device, potentially freeing up storage space. However, keep in mind that any files already synced to your device will remain unless you choose to delete them.

Click Apple ID, then click iCloud. Next to iCloud Drive, click Options. Deselect Desktop & Documents Folders. Click Done.

To enable iCloud backup for apps on your iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name, then iCloud > iCloud Backup. Turn on "iCloud Backup" and ensure "Include Apps" is also enabled.

Deleting App Data from iCloud

To unsync all apps and their data from your iCloud, open your Settings and tap your Apple ID. Tap iCloud and toggle off all apps you want to delete. Tap Manage Account Storage to view an app and delete its data.