(^4)
DELETE OLD BACKUPS
On iOS, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage
Storage > Backups to see a list of iOS device backups taking up
iCloud space. Some may be redundant – and big! If so, delete them:
tap an item and then Delete Backup.(^3)
PRUNE APP FOLDERS
Mac and iOS apps often save to iCloud Drive. Select iCloud
Drive in Finder’s sidebar to view their dedicated folders there. If
there are apps you no longer use, back up/archive those folders
and remove them from iCloud Drive.
6
USE LOCAL IOS STORAGE
If you use an iOS app that stores a lot of data solely on one
device, and you unfailingly back up that data elsewhere, consider
turning off iCloud usage for that app in Settings > [your name] >
iCloud (don’t risk data loss, however).5
REFINE IOS BACKUPS
Tap the current device’s backup to see its size and what data
is being backed up. If there is data you don’t need in iCloud (such
as in book/magazine apps), turn it off – especially if you can restore
it from elsewhere.
8
REMOVE PHOTOS AND VIDEO
These media files take up a lot of space in iCloud, either in
your iCloud Photos library or, if you don’t use that, in iOS device
backups. Pruning them can save a ton of space, but you must
ensure you copy them to your Mac first.(^7)
MINIMISE MAC ICLOUD USAGE
If you sync Desktop and Documents to iCloud, you can turn
off that feature to save online space. Better: take care with what
you put in those folders. Don’t dump huge files on the desktop.
Ensure big files are stored locally.