Apple iCloud explained: Features, setup, and benefits. Back up your data and use Keychain.

• iCloud is Apple's online file-sharing and backup solution for Apple devices.
• You get 5GB of storage for free, but many users upgrade to iCloud Plus.
• iCloud also includes Keychain, a password management solution.

iCloud is Apple's cloud storage service that lets you keep photos, files, and other data securely online, and accessible from any of your devices.

You can also use iCloud to back up your iPhone and iPad as well as share files with friends and family. You get 5GB of iCloud storage space for free. Admittedly, that's not very much online storage, but you can upgrade to iCloud Plus if you need more space.

Here's everything you need to know to use iCloud and get the most out of the service.

How do I set up iCloud?

Getting started with iCloud is easy, and it may in fact already be enabled on your iOS devices.

To check on your iPhone, start the Settings app and then tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen. On your account page, tap iCloud and turn on the features you want to sync to the cloud–like Photos and iCloud Drive. You can do the same on your iPad.

Likewise, you can set up iCloud on your Mac by going to the Apple menu at the top left corner of the screen, choosing System Preferences, and then Apple ID. Select iCloud, and enable the features you want to sync to iCloud.

How do I access my iCloud?

You can access your iCloud files from almost anywhere — on Apple products like your iPhone or iPad, Mac, or on a Windows desktop or a web browser.

On a Mac, start the Finder and click iCloud Drive in the pane on the left. If you use Windows, you can install the optional iCloud for Windows app and browse your files.

To browse your iCloud drive from an iPhone or iPad, start the Files app and use the Browse button at the bottom right of the screen.

And on any computer or device, you can access your iCloud files online. Open the iCloud website in a browser and sign in with your Apple ID.

How to back up data on iCloud

Perhaps the best reason to use iCloud is to create a bulletproof backup of your iPhone and iPad. If your mobile devices are ever lost, stolen, or broken, you can instantly restore all your data to a new device. For that to work, you need to turn on iCloud backup on your devices.

On your iPhone or iPad, start the Settings app and at your Apple ID at the top of the screen. Tap iCloud, and then, in the Device Backups section of the iCloud page, tap iCloud Backup. Turn on your backup. You can also tap Back Up Now to create an instant backup.

This is handy if you are about to take your phone or tablet to an Apple Genius Bar for repairs, for example, and want to make sure your device is fully backed up.

How to access your iCloud photos

Thanks to iCloud, any photos you take on your iPhone or iPad can be automatically synced to all your devices, including your Mac or Windows computer. You'll need to be sure it's enabled first, though.

On your iPhone or iPad, start the Settings app and tap Photos. Tap the toggle for iCloud Photos to turn on the feature (if it's not already enabled).

Once set up, you can access your iPhone or iPad photos on a Mac just by opening the Photos app on the Mac desktop. You can also see the photos on the iCloud website; open the iCloud website in a web browser, log in with your Apple ID and click Photos.

What is iCloud Plus?

iCloud Plus is what you get if you upgrade from the free 5GB of iCloud storage space to any of the higher storage tiers, starting at 50GB and going all the way to 2TB. But you don't only get more storage; Apple includes additional features and services.

Regardless of what level of iCloud Plus you purchase, here is what you get:

• iCloud Private Relay. Like a traditional VPN, the private relay keeps your web browsing activities private by disguising your location. It replaces your IP address with an anonymous one from your general geographic region and doesn't affect your browser performance. It only works with Safari, and it requires iOS 15.

• Hide My Email. Don't want to compromise your email address when you sign up for sites and services? Apple's Hide My Email is more convenient than a disposable email address. You can create a unique and random email address that always forwards anonymously to your main email so you don't have to share your email address.

• HomeKit Secure Video. You can use HomeKit Secure Video to store video from your home security cameras in the cloud using the Home app on your iPhone.

• Custom Email Domain. If you already have a custom domain name, Apple's Custom Email Domain lets you use iCloud email gives you up to five personal domains with as many as three email addresses per domain.

It's also possible to upgrade to iCloud Plus for an additional cost.

What takes up most of your iCloud?

For most people, photos and videos consume the most space on their iCloud drive. You can see for yourself, though. On your iPhone or iPad, start the Settings app and tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen. Tap iCloud, and you should see a bar graph at the top of the page. This visually depicts what kinds of files are using the most space on your iCloud account.

For more details, tap Manage Account Storage. This page shows a detailed list of every app that uses space on iCloud, and in most cases, you can tap entries for more details and delete or purge files from your cloud account.

What are the weaknesses of iCloud?

While iCloud makes it easy to back up Apple devices, perhaps its biggest weakness is the limited amount of storage Apple provides. New iCloud users get 5GB of storage space, which many users will find is not enough capacity to back up more than a single device with a modest amount of data.

Moreover, iCloud's file-sharing features are somewhat limited. If collaboration is a priority for you, you'll find that cloud services like Dropbox and Onedrive make the process much easier.

How does Keychain work?

Keychain is a simple password management feature integrated into iCloud. Available for all your Apple devices — Macs, iPhones, and iPads — it can keep your passwords, credit card info, and other personal information secure, so you don't need to memorize or record it separately.

If you turn on Keychain, it will offer to save passwords and autofill them for you when you use Safari. On the iPhone or iPad, start the Settings app and tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen. Tap iCloud, followed by Passwords and Keychain, then turn on iCloud Keychain.

On a Mac, choose the Apple menu at the top left of the screen, then System Preferences. Click your Apple ID, then iCloud, and ensure Passwords & Keychain is turned on.

How do I contact iCloud support?

If you run into a problem using iCloud, Apple Support is available 24/7 to assist you. Apple offers an iCloud support page with the solution to many common problems, including freeing up space, dealing with a forgotten password, and finding out if iCloud is suffering from a system outage and is currently offline.

If you need more assistance than that webpage can offer, you can reach out to the help forums at Apple Communities or seek personalized support from an Apple technician.