Are you one of the 17.68 million people who bought a new Mac last year? If so, you might still be learning all about the great features your new device includes.
One of those great features is iCloud, Apple’s cloud storage. New Apple devices come with iCloud already installed and ready to sync. You also get complimentary storage with your iCloud account. Check out data science courses in Bangalore to know more.
If you’ve been letting iCloud sync away in the background, you might be missing out on some of its powerful features. This guide will show you how to use iCloud on a Mac to use it to its greatest effect.
- Automatic Syncing across Devices
As mentioned, iCloud drive desktop comes installed on most new Macs. Your computer will start syncing some data to iCloud. This is usually from Apple’s native apps, like Mail, Notes, and Reminders.
If you also have another Apple device, like an iPhone, these apps will use iCloud to stay in sync with each other. That means if you schedule a reminder on your desktop, you’ll get the notification on your phone. This works in reverse too, with your other devices syncing to apps on your Mac.
You can customize which of these apps sync across your devices. In addition, you can also customize some of the data they sync. Your Mail app can share with messages you’ve already read, but only deliver notifications and reminders to one of your devices.
- How to Use iCloud on a Mac as a Backup
As you might have guessed, iCloud can be used for storage. Some of your apps are already backing up data to iCloud servers.
You can use iCloud to create backups of your devices as well. If you have enough storage space, you can back your entire computer up to iCloud storage.
You might also decide to sync just some folders or applications. If you want to archive your photos, you can store them on iCloud. Then you can remove them from your computer itself and free up storage space.
You can also access backups of your other devices from iCloud. Your iPhone or iPad will back up to the cloud on an automated schedule, or you can do manual backups.
- Resolve Version Conflicts with iCloud on Mac
If you’re using iCloud to back up from certain apps, then you can also use it to resolve conflicted versions.
This may happen when you’re working on a file in two separate locations. You might start working on the file on your Mac. Later, you take it with you to work on during your commute or while you’re waiting for an appointment.
You might also give someone else access to a file you want them to review or work on. If you’re both working on it at the same time, though, you may end up with conflicted versions of the file.
iCloud will warn you when this happens. You can then review the versions and select which to move forward with. From there, you can delete the other version.
This way, you don’t end up with multiple versions of the same file. This can save you from needing to sort through different versions to find the “right” one or the “final” one. It can also ensure that no one accidentally saves over your work.
- Recover Accidentally Deleted Files with iCloud
If you’re looking for cool things to do on a Mac, iCloud might not spring to mind. Yet it has one of the coolest functions of all. It can help you recover accidentally deleted files.
This happens more often than you’d like to think. You’re tidying up your desktop and decide to empty the trash. Later, you go looking for a spreadsheet you were working on or even a photo a friend sent you.
You realize you’d put the item in the trash and have now deleted it. In other cases, you might forget to save the latest revisions.
No matter how this happens, it can be panic-inducing. If you’re using iCloud, though, you have a great way to recover these documents.
If the app you’re using is syncing, then your file may be stored on iCloud. Mail and Photos, for example, can backup to iCloud. You could be able to retrieve the file you need from these backups.
If you use iCloud for archiving, then there’s a very high chance the file you accidentally deleted is in iCloud. All you need to do is retrieve it.
- Control Which Apps Sync Data to iCloud
When you’re setting up iCloud Drive, you can control which apps sync and which apps don’t. By default, most of Apple’s native apps sync, but you can easily change this.
To do so, go to System Preferences. Then click “Apple ID,” and then pick iCloud. You should be given a list of apps that have iCloud features. You can select those you want to use with iCloud and deselect those you don’t.
Plenty of third-party apps like to make use of iCloud, so don’t think iCloud is only for Apple’s own programs. You can use iCloud with almost any app. Of course, that may mean you also need to stop a few apps from syncing, because they’re using up all your storage.
Some apps give you an even more granular level of control. That means you can select some data to sync while turning off other features.
- Share iCloud with Family and Friends
Family Sharing is helpful for managing subscriptions to various Apple programs. By setting this up, everyone on your network can have access to what you buy in the App Store or the music you download.
Family Sharing also lets you share your iCloud storage. It doesn’t mean everyone gets access to everyone else’s files, though. Those photos you have are still private unless you choose to share them.
- Expand Storage with iCloud
Apple gives every user 5GB of iCloud storage for free. This is important for ensuring Apple apps can sync automatically. It’s particularly important for mobile devices like iPad and iPhone.
Of course, 5GB can get eaten up pretty fast. This is especially true if you want to use your iCloud storage to back up your desktop or archive videos and photos.
Apple does offer paid plans for expanded storage. If you later get rid of an Apple device or change your app settings to use less space, you may not need the extra storage. If that’s the case, you can use a guide on how to cancel iCloud storage plan.
Keep in mind that you can’t downgrade beyond the 5GB plan, which is free. You can extract your data, turn off most of your apps, and use a different service. Before you do that, be sure to read up on how it may affect the functioning of different apps.
Making Smart Tech Decisions Can Pay Off
Knowing how to use iCloud on a Mac can help you stay in sync, even when you’re on the go or working from home. It can also save you time. It can even be an affordable option for backup and archiving.
Using the right technology and leveraging it the right way can make a big difference for your pocketbook. Check out more great articles and discover how you can use technology to get ahead. Apply for data science course to learn more.
