Share iCloud storage with iPhone, iPad or Mac

For a family of four where each member uses multiple Apple devices, iCloud storage is a highly recommended service. While my current 200GB iCloud storage plan isn’t too much, it’s still helpful in freeing up precious storage space from my family members’ devices. Yes, I share my iCloud storage plan with my family and so in this article I will go through the steps on how to share iCloud storage with your family or even friends (if you are so generous) using your iPhone, iPad or Mac.

What is iCloud?

Apple introduced iCloud in October 2011. To effectively roll out the new service, Apple handed out 5 GB of iCloud storage for free. Users who have created an Apple ID account to use their Apple devices get free cloud storage and it can be shared across devices. Simply put, iCloud allows Apple device owners to store and sync files, photos, and more across their devices.

Of course, if you are an advanced user, that free 5 GB of storage is not enough to back up your data. You must have more iCloud storage space. Apple therefore also offers iCloud+ in three different options.

• iCloud with 50 GB storage space
• iCloud with 200 GB of storage space
• iCloud with 2 TB storage space

Upgrading to one of those options comes at a price, of course. The 50GB, 200GB, and 2TB iCloud storage options cost $0.99, $2.99, and $9.99 respectively. Don’t worry, Apple will constantly remind you through your device to upgrade to more storage when you’ve used up your free iCloud storage. Depending on whether you know how to share iCloud storage with your family, there may come a time when you need to upgrade or downgrade your iCloud storage plan.

How to upgrade/downgrade iCloud storage

1. Go to Settings > Your name (Apple ID).
   
2. Crane iCloud > Manage account storage.
   
   
3. Crane Change storage planand then choose your upgrade option.
   

You can also scroll down and tap Manage your subscription.

Follow these steps on your Mac with macOS Ventura.

1. Go to System Settings > Your name (Apple ID).
   
2. Click iCloud > Manage.
   
   
3. Click on Chang Storage Planthen choose a subscription.
   
   
4. Click Next one and enter your password.

How to Share iCloud Storage on iPhone or iPad

Now that you know how to upgrade your iCloud storage plan, it’s time to learn how to share that storage with your family or friends. Follow the steps below to share iCloud storage with your iPhone or iPad. I assume you’ve already upgraded your iCloud storage to at least 200 GB or better yet, the 2 TB plan. Additionally, iCloud+ sharing requires iOS or iPadOS 11 or later, or macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later. Each member of the family should also have devices running the required versions of the operating system.

For those using iOS 15 or iPadOS 15, the steps are a bit different.

1. Go to Settings > Your name.
2. Crane Family Sharing > iCloud+.
3. Follow the steps to share your subscribed iCloud plan.

How to share iCloud storage with Mac

Below are the steps to share iCloud+ from your Mac running macOS Ventura or newer.

1. Go to System Settings > Family.
   
2. Click Subscriptions > iCloud+.
   
3. Click Partand follow the on-screen instructions to continue.

If you’re using macOS Monterey or earlier versions on your Mac, follow the steps below to share iCloud+ with your family or friends.

1. Click the Apple menu > System Preferences.
2. I clickCloud storage > Share.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to continue.

How to set up Family Sharing with your iPhone, iPad or Mac

It should be noted that before you do the steps above, you have already set up Family Sharing on your Apple account. If not, follow the steps below to set it up.

Using your iPhone or iPad:

1. Go to Settings > Tap Your Name.
2. Crane Family Sharing > Set up your family.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions and invite your family members once Family Sharing is set up.

Using your Mac:

1. Go to System Settings > Family.
2. Click Set up family.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions, then invite your family members when Family Sharing is turned on.

Final Words: Decide if you really need to upgrade your iCloud storage

Honestly, when Apple first introduced iCloud+, I was a bit hesitant to subscribe for several reasons at first. First, it’s an additional expense that would be added to my other subscriptions, such as Netflix, Spotify, and others that I have to pay monthly. I’ve never felt the need to back up my iPhone or Mac data. But then the photos on my iPhone kept piling up. However, what made me decide to upgrade to the 200 GB iCloud plan was the persistent eavesdropping of my two kids who also needed cloud storage to save their data. Long story short, I upgraded to iCloud+ and shared it with my two kids and my wife. At this point, we’re running out of 200 GB storage and may be able to upgrade to the 2 TB plan. But that’s another story for later.

Coming back to the question of whether you really need to upgrade your iCloud plan? It really depends on how you use your Apple devices and your storage needs. Take it from my experience. If you know that you are going to store a lot of data and transfer it across multiple devices, you should definitely get the 200 GB iCloud plan. If you don’t mind paying $9.99 per month, the 2TB plan is definitely better.