For the past five days, I've been tormented by the message: "Can't back up this iPhone/iPad/iPod because iCloud doesn't have enough free space." I persistently ignored this warning, but the time has come not only to deal with it, but also to talk about the solution to this problem in more detail.
Not enough free space in iCloud. What to do?
Change storage plan
It is clear that if you only have free 5 gigabytes, then you will constantly see a message about the lack of space. Therefore, Apple has developed three tariffs, which should be enough for everyone.
Now I have 50 gigabytes connected for 59 rubles a month, and for me this is a comfortable price for a sufficient number of gigabytes for me. If you pay 169 rubles, then 200 gigabytes will be available. But I decided to restrain myself. Not because I feel sorry for 169 rubles, but because 50 gigabytes in the cloud will allow me to clean up the media library in time, not to let everything take its course.
In general, the most trivial solution is to increase the available space for money. For some, this option is suitable and you can not even read about other methods, but for someone (for example, me) it does not suit and I will move on to other measures.
Settings->iCloud->Storage->Change storage plan
Clean up your iCloud library
It is the iCloud media library that most often takes up most of the space in the cloud. Especially if you have an iPhone connected to the cloud. ;)
The media library stores your photos and videos. The most drastic step: disable iCloud Meditech. In this case, you will have 30 days to download media from iCloud or you will lose it forever.
Easier to clean. You need to start with the video - it is the video that takes up most of the space. That's why I need 265 videos in iCloud? I don't know myself. Therefore, "under the knife" in the first place you need to send them. Photos should also be cleaned up. What is the point in the pictures that are smeared, are duplicates, screenshots, do not carry any value?
One photo or 1 second of video takes about 2 megabytes. Therefore, deleting even 100 pictures will give an extra 200 megabytes.
If the files are so valuable, then why not download them through iCloud.com and upload them to a separate drive? For some reason I am sure that most people do not need most of the content in the media library.
Deleting/Reducing Device Backup
With the removal, I think everything is clear. Rarely, but it happens that for some device it does not make sense to make a backup copy. For example, I have an iPod - now it serves exclusively for music. Does it make sense for me to back up this device? You also need to delete backup copies of those devices that no longer belong to you (for example, sold).
Deleting a backup occurs in the settings:
Settings->iCloud->Storage->Manage. Select a copy and click the "Delete copy" button. You can delete copies of other devices connected to your Apple ID.
But iCloud backup can be reduced:
Settings->iCloud->Storage->Manage. Choosing a copy current devices. At the bottom there is a list of those programs whose data is included in the backup. We disable the part of applications that should not in your opinion make backups to iCloud. See the screenshot below: by disabling some applications from iCloud, I reduced the backup by 1.5 gigabytes.
Please note that by this action we do not disable the synchronization of program data via iCloud Drive, but only prohibit backup of application data in iCloud.
Delete files from iCloud Drive
This is an application that allows you to manage the files that various programs store in the iCloud cloud. You need to understand that iCloud Drive data takes up some space in iCloud.
We go to the iCloud Drive application. If not, then turn on the display in the settings: Settings->iCloud->iCloud Drive->On the Home screen.
In iCloud Drive, manually delete those files that are not needed and take up extra space. How much data is stored from each application can be viewed in:
Settings->iCloud->Storage->Manage. Section "Documents and data".
Deleting mail messages
This advice is from personal experience. Apple somehow independently created a mailbox for me in the iCloud.com domain. A completely useless mailbox. It's amazing how he survived all these years, but I periodically forget to turn it off. And sometimes I accidentally use it when I send files by mail from my phone. Thus, I managed to borrow more than 300 megabytes in iCloud. (See here: Settings->iCloud->Storage->Manage->Mail)
Exit one. Manually clear your iCloud mailbox if you don't use it, of course. This is done through the Mail app.
Outcome
These are all tips and ways to offload iCloud a bit. All the best and more free time and space!
You may have experienced the annoying iCloud pop-up: "Can't back up this iPhone because there isn't enough free space in iCloud." The free 5 GB of iCloud space provided by Apple is not enough to store iPhone and iPad backups. This article explains how to back up iPhone without having to upgrade your iCloud plan. We'll also show you how to get rid of the iCloud pop-up window. 
iPhone backups are important. The backup will fail if your iCloud account does not have enough free space. As it turns out, the last time we backed up our iPhone was 7 weeks ago!
The fastest solution is to save the backup to a place with enough free space, such as your PC drive, an external hard drive, or even a USB drive. With CopyTrans Shelbee it is possible to do this for free. This way, you don't have to make a sudden decision about what information to delete to free up free space in iCloud.
So let's start backing up iPhone with CopyTrans Shelbee
Unlike iCloud, CopyTrans Shelbee can backup iPhone anywhere, so you don't have to worry about limited space. Just choose a location with enough storage space.
Free up iCloud space to get rid of the pop-up window
Now that the iPhone backup has been successfully created on your PC, it's time to get rid of the iCloud popup. The fastest way is to free up space on iCloud. Here's how to do it:
When you turn off a backup item, all that item's backup data is immediately removed from iCloud. To free up space on your iPhone's iCloud backup, you can also remove some photos and videos from your Camera Roll album.
Hi all! You need to make backup copies - this is a fact. And, as we know, Apple offers us two great options for backing up information - using iCloud or iTunes. And if everything is more or less clear with iTunes - they connected it to the computer and “OK”, then there may be problems with iCloud. Which? The most varied.
For example, quite recently, my iPhone began to “delight” me with a notification with the following text: “iPhone - backup failure. There is not enough free space in iCloud storage to back up iPhone data." You remove the phone from charging, and here is such an error. He doesn't have enough space!
Let's see why this is happening and what can be done about all this? Let's go!
General information or why iCloud copy fails?
Here I will not describe for a long time and in detail about the “cloud” service itself (especially since I have a separate one), but I will highlight some of the main points.
So, iCloud is, in addition to an account, also a remote place to store information (photos, videos, program data, messages, contacts, notes, backups, and much more) of your iOS devices.
But the size of this storage is not infinite - for any user, Apple allocates only 5 gigabytes for free. And when you do not fit into this framework, then the error “Backup failed - not enough free space” appears.
What can be done and how to fix the failure?
There are several options to get rid of the backup error.
Method number 1 - Pay
Everyone wants money and Apple is no exception. For a relatively small amount, you can simply change your iCloud plan and move from free (5 GB) to any other plan with more storage. So to speak, to buy extra space in the "cloud". How to do it?
Open "Settings - Your account - iCloud - Storage - Buy more space" and choose the tariff that is right for you.
After payment, the iCloud storage increases, which means there is already enough space for your data - a copy begins to be created without any failures.
Method number 2 - Free, but relatively long
Don't want to pay anyone? I completely understand your desire - there is never a lot of money, and then Apple will write off the subscriber every month. Completely stunned!
Well, you can do it for free. But then you have to "keep within" 5 GB of cloud storage. To do this, go to "Settings - Your account - iCloud - Storage - Manage" and see what documents and data are stored there. 
See how something superfluous takes up precious space? Feel free to turn it off.
You should also pay attention to the "iCloud Music Library" (Settings - Photos and Camera). If this option is enabled, then your photos and videos are forcibly sent to the "cloud", thereby "eating up" storage space.
But sometimes a situation like mine can happen - as much as 4.9 GB of free space (out of 5 GB free), and when creating an iCloud backup, it still fails. Why is this happening? The thing is, the size of the next copy is much larger than 5 GB - the iPhone cannot create it because it will not fit into the allotted limit.
You can also see this information for yourself by opening the "Backups" tab in iCloud Storage. Moreover, here you can always correct the data of which the copy will consist (in order to “fit” into the allotted 5 GB) and, perhaps, you will even succeed!
Method number 3 - Free and fast
However, you can get rid of all these annoying signs that signal backup failures in an easier way.
It is enough to turn off the creation of copies in iCloud and use the same iTunes for this, where the space for your data will be limited only by the size of the computer's hard drive.
To do this, open "Settings - Your account - iCloud" and move the slider opposite the corresponding menu item.
Everything, there will be no more failures. Victory!
Now a backup will be created on your computer automatically when you connect and sync with iTunes. And it’s better not to postpone this matter for a long time, but to go and do it right now - it certainly won’t be superfluous, believe my little experience :)
P.S. Want more free iCloud space? Me too! Let's combine our efforts - put "like" and click on the buttons of social networks. I already put my "+1", it's up to you! :)
P.S.S. Do you have any questions after reading the article? Be sure to write in the comments - we will try to figure it out together!
Photos and videos taken on iPhone and iPad take up a huge amount of free space on devices. If you need more storage, then it is not necessary to resort to deleting content or moving to other media. With iCloud Photo Library, you can store photos and videos in the cloud by setting up automatic data optimization on the iOS device itself.
Turn on Content Storage Optimization for iCloud Music Library
iCloud Photo Library automatically uploads your photos to the cloud so you can access it anytime, on any device. Optimize storage is a useful option that replaces original resolution photos and videos with optimized versions when your device runs out of storage. A full resolution file is quickly loaded if you need to view it, edit it or send it to social networks. To enable this option follow these steps:
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Select the Photo section and Camera.
3. Check "Optimize device storage".
After activating this option, the system will automatically move the original versions of files to iCloud, leaving only recently captured photos and videos in full size. The process may take a long time, depending on the number of files and connection speed.
How to free up space in iCloud
The total size of files that can be stored in iCloud is not unlimited, and you have several options to free up space.
Option A: Clear the Photo Library
Browse albums that can contain selfies, panoramas, screenshots, or slow motion videos. Perhaps among them there are those that can be removed. Important note: you can't delete files only from iCloud or only from the device: if you delete them on the iPhone, they will disappear from everywhere.
After deleting unwanted pictures and clips, don't forget to visit the Recently Deleted section and clean it up. Otherwise, the files will still be stored on the device, taking up free memory for 30 days.
Option B: Buy more iCloud space
If you don't want to think about storing your photos and videos and are willing to pay for cloud storage space, you can increase the amount of available space in your iCloud Photo Library. The current prices for additional iCloud space are as follows:
- 5 GB - free
- 50 GB - 59 rubles / month
- 200 GB - 149 rubles / month
- 1 TB - 599 rubles / month
You can change the tariff plan or cancel its action at any time.
For each user of an Apple device, the Cupertians provide free 5 GB of free data storage space at their disposal. This space can be used to store backups, photos, contacts, and more. For some this volume is enough in full, but for some it is not. And in this case you have two options:
- free up space in iCloud;
- purchase the missing gigabytes from Apple by changing the tariff plan.
How to free up space in iCloud
Before changing the tariff plan, it is still worth looking into the iCloud settings and finding out what free space is spent on.First of all, pay attention to the fact that in general you automatically save in iCloud. It can be done opening the settings and going to the iCloud section.
Go through the list of applications with your eyes and turn off the excess. For example, is it important for you to store Safari data?
Pay special attention to the iCloud Drive section. If you wish, you can save only part of the files from devices in iCloud Drive, and delete everything superfluous.
Here, in the "Documents and Data" list, we can see all the applications that use iCloud to store their data.
Expand the full list by tapping on “Show All” and see which information is no longer relevant.
You can delete unnecessary information by tapping on the name of the application. In the window that opens, tap the "Change" button again, after which the "Delete All" button will become available.
How to buy iCloud space
If you are still sorely lacking 5 GB, maybe it's time to think about increasing the amount of iCloud?At the moment, Apple offers several plans: we can increase the total amount of iCloud storage to 50 GB, 200 GB, 1 TB, 2 TV. When switching to a new plan, the current one will be canceled. Payment for the use of free space occurs monthly, and the amount can be clarified without leaving the settings of your iPhone or iPad.
The easiest way to quickly change your plan is to open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad and go to iCloud > Storage > Buy More Space. You can also find all the relevant information on tariff plans there.
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