Get more from iCloud Drive

Top tips for working smarter with online storage

1 Upload using a web browser

We noted earlier you can get at your files in iCloud Drive by signing in to iCloud.com. By clicking the upload button there, you can select a document to send to the folder you’re viewing. This can be handy if you use a PC at work, want to read a document on your iPad on the way home, and work on it in a compatible Mac app in the evening.

2 Deal with conflicts

One of the dangers in having documents stored in the cloud is they can potentially be open on multiple devices simultaneously. When that happens, the app in question should alert you that modifications are not in sync, and outline the open versions of the document, and what devices are using them. You can then pick which version or versions to keep.

3 Manage iCloud Drive

Should you have Mac or iOS apps you don’t want to use iCloud Drive for storage, their access can be disabled individually. On your Mac, go to System Preferences > iCloud and click Options next to iCloud Drive. In the Documents tab, clear the checkboxes next to the relevant apps. On iOS, use the switches in Settings > iCloud > iCloud Drive.

4 Cross- service transfer

Although you can use other services alongside iCloud Drive, easy integration of files and folders across devices might make migration appealing. The simplest way is to drag and drop in Finder – from Dropbox to Documents, say. First, check you have enough space in iCloud, and archive old items offline, so you use less iCloud space and things upload sooner.

5 Don’t duplicate media

If you’re using other Apple cloudbased systems, don’t duplicate content within iCloud Drive. There’s no point using iCloud Music Library in iTunes and iOS’s Music app and storing identical copies of your audio files in iCloud Drive – at that point, you’re effectively paying twice. (See page 40 for more on the specifics of iCloud storage.)