We use the services of iCloud on iPhone or iPad, but we can also access it from Windows PC and Mac. Let’s see how.
To save the photos, the address book and personal data on the iPhone using the Internet was born iCloud, the cloud storage service that offers in the free version 5 GB of virtual space (we can expand it by paying a subscription) in which we can save anything we want: music, photos, documents, images, messages, data and much more.
In case you have more than one Apple device, iCloud synchronizes the files and automatically sends the same content saved on each of them.
This space is automatically exploited by all Apple devices, but we can quickly configure it to access files saved in the cloud on PCs with Windows and Macs.
Discover in this guide how to use iCloud on Windows, Mac, iPhone and iPad optimally on all platforms, so you can use it without any problem wherever you are.
1) How to use iCloud on Mac
iCloud can be managed from a Mac, the only caution is that the Apple operating system is always up to date (iCloud you find it from Lion onwards).
Once the Mac has been updated, all we have to do is bring it to the desktop and open the Go -> iCloud Drive menu.
It will open a management window in which to view all the saved files or, in case you have not yet logged in, a screen to access your iCloud.
Alternatively we can use the Shift + Command + I keyboard shortcut to quickly open the associated iCloud space on the Mac.
2) How to use iCloud from Windows
For Windows we have to download the iCloud program and, after installing it, you can manage the online space by going to the Start menu and typing iCloud or using the iCloud icon in the system bar at the bottom right.
Clicking on the Archive button can be purchased more space, delete a backup made with iCloud, see the size that occupies while using the Options buttons we can configure the individual items on iCloud, so you can easily manage them from Windows.
By clicking on Account Details, you can view the summary screen of your personal information (Apple ID).
3) How to use iCloud from iTunes
The integration of iCloud is also available in the iTunes multimedia program: every time you connect a device and we take you to the backup management screen, selecting the iCloud check you can make a backup to your online account. clicking on This computer the backup is done locally.
When the device is first switched on (or after an update has been completed ), just log in with the Apple ID and decide to activate and use iCloud. The
settings include all the individual services that can be activated or deactivated via a switch. according to your needs and preferences.
By default iCloud, we repeat, offers 5 GB of space but you can buy more memory by paying a subscription plan from the price and variable cloud sizes.
On this page all the plans available to subscribe to iCloud, with prices starting from $0.99 per month for 50 GB to $9.99 per month for 2 TB.
4) How to use iCloud from Web
iCloud is also accessible from the Internet by entering the credentials related to your Apple ID on the site here -> iCloud.com.
Just enter the login credentials to check your mail, contacts, calendar, use Find My iPhone and iWork (in the latter can be found apps for iOS).
Compared to the past you can upload any type of file to iCloud, the important thing is to respect the maximum available space for your subscription (the file limit is 50GB regardless of the available space, even if we have 1 TB we can not upload files from 1 TB).
5) How to use iCloud from iPhone and iPad
By setting, for example, an appointment on the calendar; thanks to iCloud, the latter will be visible on all your devices where iOS is installed or the iCloud app.
The same goes for the e-mails, the address book (to have contacts always at hand and automatically transfer them to Wi-Fi on the Mac or Outlook on the PC), favorites, notes and reminders.
The synchronization “on the cloud” is automatic, so if, for example, you download an app or a book on iPhone, you can find it on another iOS device.
Every single photo taken from the iPhone or iPad can be uploaded online on the “cloud” and sent to all of its connected devices.
In addition, all photos can be downloaded even on Windows or Mac thanks to the iCloud program.
Who wants to overdo it and also owns an Apple TV, can stream the photos in iCloud on the TV at home.
To access the iCloud settings on iPhone and iPad, simply go to Settings -> Apple ID Name->The photo roll, documents, address book, calendars, reminders, mail and other iOS settings will be saved automatically.
If you then buy a new iPhone or iPad phone you can configure the iOS device, thanks to the use of iCloud backup when you first start and the first access with the Apple ID to restore all data, personal information, mail, messages, contacts, etc. ….
6) Other features of iCloud
Apple integrated iCloud in iWork applications; through the online interface of iCloud the user has access to any file created in Pages, Keynote or Numbers on iOS.
This means, to put it briefly, that you can start a document in Pages for iPad and finish it or edit it in Pages for iPhone.
All the music that is purchased on iTunes automatically appears on your devices and the purchased songs can be downloaded again, wherever and whenever you want, thanks to the download button located in the purchased section, in iTunes.
Staying on the subject of music, there is a word to spend even on iTunes Match, a paid service ($25 a year) that allows you to access your iTunes music library from iCloud (from your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch).
The iOS device location system is available thanks to iCloud technology.
By accessing iCloud.com or using the iOS-specific app, your device can be tracked on the map in case of theft or loss.
7) Alternatives to iCloud
iCloud is not the only service that offers storage space for its files.
Below we have enclosed the best cloud services that we can use on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Windows as an alternative to iCloud (often with more free space offered):
– Google Drive
–Google Photos to backup photos and videos
– Box
– Mega
– OneDrive
– Dropbox
All these services have convenient apps for use on Apple devices but also on Android as well as synchronization programs for Windows and Mac.