iCloud 4.7/5 GB Used - Upgrade to iCloud+ the Only Solution?

[rm5]

I've had my iCloud account since 2020, and I've been using the various services associated with it—Mail, Calendar, Notes, Messages, etc. However, I've been getting numerous notifications that my iCloud storage is almost full, using 4.7 of the 5 GB of available free storage.

The reason that iCloud seems to be full is because of Mail and Messages (see screenshot). However, I do NOT want to get rid of ANY mail messages, attachments, or messages, because I like to save EVERYTHING. I know this is stupid, but if I'm working on a project and a year down the line the guy is like, "Remember that email I sent you a year ago?" (Trust me, this has happened before!) I can refer to that because I didn't delete it...

I would rather not have to pay for iCloud storage, because I'm already paying for Google One, because I need it. And apparently I need iCloud+, too, because there hasn't been a way that I've found without deleting stuff to free up iCloud storage.

At this point, it feels like I'm end up paying like $20/month for storage alone. I know this is an exaggeration, but that's how it feels to me right now.

This is beyond frustrating to me. Any suggestions?

EDIT: Oops, forgot to attach the screenshot!

 

[Bigwaff]

You really want to keep your Messages forever... like old text, SMS, etc? Messages can include attachments (just like Mail messages). You might be able to save some space in iCloud by changing how log you keep them. Have you looked at Messages > Preferences > Keep messages setting?

Otherwise, you're gonna have to upgrade your iCloud storage, bud.

 

[MmkLucario]

Perhaps keep your messages settled locally?

 

[rm5]

Yeah, I already upgraded to 50 GB... because I felt there was no other feasible option.

 

[rm5]

Perhaps keep your messages settled locally?

I don't want to keep them locally, because I want to be able to access them on all devices.

 

[MmkLucario]

Yeah, I already upgraded to 50 GB... because I felt there was no other feasible option.

Ah okay. I’m still on 5 GB. Most of my stuff is either stored locally, or on third party services (my email and documents are on Google)

 

[MmkLucario]

I don't want to keep them locally, because I want to be able to access them on all devices.

Understandable. I prefer to store things locally as there’s less risk of my stuff getting stolen or leaked and I don’t need to be on the internet to look at my stuff.

 

[MacGizmo]

I would rather not have to pay for iCloud storage, because I'm already paying for Google One...

I would rather not pay the mortgage on my house, because I'm already paying for the loan on my car.

Everyone wants everything for free. And they call Apple greedy. LMAO!

 

[thomasparra]

I pay 2TB of storage as I have 150 Gbps of Photos + Documents + Videos I want to keep and have safe. I don't even use 250 Gbps of that...

I would consider either moving all of your data to Apple Music and drop Google Drive or pay a small monthly fee for Apple storage.

 

[splifingate]

I pay for iCloud+ (2TB), Google One (100GB storage), and Backblaze B2

Backblaze B2 is a pay-per-chunk service, and I'm billed accordingly (roughly USD 1/month right now, but that changes, depending upon what I choose to store long-term).

My Google One is USD 2/month (I use this mainly for sharing/collaboration amongst those who are using Win/Android).

I pay USD 10/month for iCloud+ (2TB)



Yes; I maintain an iCloud Photos/iMessage sync of ~200/150GB to all my devices!

I have plenty of local storage, a generous NAS, and multiple external backups.

Roughly USD15/month is a small price to pay for interoperability, mutual sharing, and redundancy

 

[thomasparra]

I pay for iCloud+ (2TB), Google One (100GB storage), and Backblaze B2

Backblaze B2 is a pay-per-chunk service, and I'm billed accordingly (roughly USD 1/month right now, but that changes, depending upon what I choose to store long-term).

My Google One is USD 2/month (I use this mainly for sharing/collaboration amongst those who are using Win/Android).

I pay USD 10/month for iCloud+ (2TB)

View attachment 2168699

Yes; I maintain an iCloud Photos/iMessage sync of ~200/150GB to all my devices!

I have plenty of local storage, a generous NAS, and multiple external backups.

Roughly USD15/month is a small price to pay for interoperability, mutual sharing, and redundancy

I wished cloud host providers would offer pricing in between the 200 GB and 2TB tiering. It seems like a lot of people like me who need more than 200 GB but definitely less than 500/1Tb need to pay for 2TB. We are cash cows in the industry, and most people would not object to pay 10 USD per month for this

 

[rm5]

I wished cloud host providers would offer pricing in between the 200 GB and 2TB tiering. It seems like a lot of people like me who need more than 200 GB but definitely less than 500/1Tb need to pay for 2TB. We are cash cows in the industry, and most people would not object to pay 10 USD per month for this

Except when you’re like me, and income happens so infrequently, because I don’t work… I get payed for some gigs, but sometimes it’s like 2 months that I go without making any money—that’s why 90% of my money is in savings. That’s not your problem to solve, that’s my problem, and I know what I need to do about it, but it’s easier said than done.

 

[splifingate]

Except when you’re like me, and income happens so infrequently, because I don’t work… I get payed for some gigs, but sometimes it’s like 2 months that I go without making any money—that’s why 90% of my money is in savings. That’s not your problem to solve, that’s my problem, and I know what I need to do about it, but it’s easier said than done.

I feel you, Brother.

I'm preparing to pare-down unnecessary spending, and adopt new strategies that enable me to hoard my data.

The trend that is upon us to spend a little bit more here, and a bit more there, is really putting a dent in my quality of living.

It often feels like I will soon have no choice but to to subscribe to inhaling quality air <shrugs>

That being said, if one is without consistent--and sufficient--income, it may be time to save to purchase a one-off external backup drive upon which one can store those assets one cannot do without

 

[rm5]

I feel you, Brother.

I'm preparing to pare-down unnecessary spending, and adopt new strategies that enable me to hoard my data.

The trend that is upon us to spend a little bit more here, and a bit more there, is really putting a dent in my quality of living.

It often feels like I will soon have no choice but to to subscribe to inhaling quality air <shrugs>

That being said, if one is without consistent--and sufficient--income, it may be time to save to purchase a one-off external backup drive upon which one can store those assets one cannot do without

I’ve got plenty of local storage—two servers/NAS’s, several backup drives, etc. The main reason why I was complaining about iCloud is that I don’t want to store emails, calendars, and messages locally.

 

[splifingate]

iCloud is effectively a synchronisation service.

If you don't want those things mirrored, simple answer is to turn-off iCloud (or just de-select those items from the iCloud sync on your respective device).