Access icloud on any device

1 Enable icloud

Check that all of your apps are using icloud by going to System Preferences>icloud. Tick all of the checkboxes, including icloud Drive. Click ‘Options’ adjacent to icloud.

2 More icloud options

To keep a copy of Desktop and Documents files on icloud, select the top checkbox, but if you only have the free 5GB, clear it as you don’t have the storage space.

3 Show icloud status

Select icloud in the sidebar to show the folders and files on icloud. Ctrl+click a column header and tick ‘icloud Status’ to show an icon indicating items online or offline.

4 Use another computer

If you need access to icloud files from another computer, Mac or PC, open a browser and go to icloud.com. You need an iphone to enter a PIN code if you use 2FA security.

5 Access your files

Using a Mac, Windows PC or Linux, you have access to files stored on icloud through the icloud Drive icon. You can even access files on the Mac’s Desktop or in Documents

6 Access your photos

If you break your iphone and your Mac is stolen, you can still access and download your photos on any computer, Mac or PC, at icloud.com through the site’s Photos app.

7 icloud on IOS

Be sure your ipad and iphone can access icloud content by making sure you are signed in in Settings. Tap your account, ‘icloud’ and then enable every option that is listed.

8 icloud through Files

Open the Files app and you have access to all the folders and files on icloud. If you have files in other online storage, use the Files app to copy or move them to icloud.

9 icloud on PCS

If you must use a PC for work, you can still access files and photos on icloud by installing icloud for Windows (support.apple.com/ en-gb/ht204283). It syncs everything.