When you purchase an iPhone, Apple generously provides you with 5GB of free iCloud storage. Unfortunately, in an era of high-resolution 4K video, massive app backups, and thousands of live photos, that 5GB fills up incredibly fast.
When your iCloud storage is full, your device stops backing up, your photos stop syncing across your Apple devices, and you may even stop receiving emails via iCloud Mail. The only reliable solution is to upgrade to iCloud+, Apple’s premium subscription service that offers significantly more storage space.
In this guide, we will walk you through exactly how to view your current storage limits, choose the right iCloud+ plan, and upgrade your storage directly from your iPhone.
## Understanding iCloud+ Storage Tiers
Before you tap the upgrade button, you need to know how much storage you actually need. Apple currently offers three primary storage tiers for iCloud+ (prices vary slightly by region, but these are the standard US tiers):
– **50 GB ($0.99/month):** Ideal for users who just want peace of mind knowing their device settings and a moderate photo library are safely backed up.
– **200 GB ($2.99/month):** The most popular tier. Perfect for heavy photo takers and users who want to share their storage plan with family members.
– **2 TB ($9.99/month) or higher:** Designed for professional creators, large families, or users who want to store their entire digital life in the cloud.
*Note: Upgrading to any iCloud+ plan also unlocks premium privacy features like Hide My Email and iCloud Private Relay.*
## How to Upgrade Your iCloud Storage
The easiest way to purchase more storage is directly through the Settings app on your iPhone.
### Step 1: Access Your Apple ID Settings
Unlock your iPhone and open the **Settings** app.
At the very top of the Settings menu, tap on your name (this section will also display your profile picture and say “Apple ID, iCloud, Media & Purchases” beneath it).
### Step 2: Open iCloud Storage Management
On your Apple ID page, tap on **iCloud**.
At the top of the screen, you will see a colour-coded bar graph showing exactly how your current storage is being used (Photos, Backups, Docs, etc.).
Tap on **Manage Account Storage** (on older versions of iOS, this may just say “Manage Storage”).
### Step 3: Select Your New Plan
Below your storage breakdown, look for an option titled **Buy More Storage** or **Change Storage Plan**. Tap it.
Your iPhone will now display the available upgrade options. The screen will show your current plan and the prices for the higher tiers available in your region.
Tap the tier you wish to upgrade to (e.g., 200 GB) so that a blue checkmark appears next to it.
### Step 4: Confirm Your Purchase
Tap **Upgrade to iCloud+** (or simply **Buy**) in the top right corner of the screen.
You will be prompted to authenticate the purchase. Depending on your device model and settings, you will need to double-click the side button for Face ID, rest your finger on the Home button for Touch ID, or type in your Apple ID password manually.
Once the payment is authenticated, your storage will be upgraded instantly. Your iPhone will automatically resume backups and syncing photos if they were previously paused due to a lack of space.
## How to Downgrade Your iCloud Storage
If you realise you are paying for 2TB of storage but only using 100GB, you can easily downgrade your plan to save money.
1. Open **Settings** and tap your name at the top.
2. Tap **iCloud** > **Manage Account Storage** > **Change Storage Plan**.
3. Scroll down to the very bottom and tap **Downgrade Options**.
4. You will be prompted to enter your Apple ID password to confirm your identity.
5. Select a lower storage tier (or the free 5GB tier) and tap **Done**.
*Warning: If you downgrade to a tier that provides less space than you are currently using, iCloud will stop syncing new data and your devices will not back up. You will have 30 days to download and delete files before Apple begins deleting data to fit your new limit.*