Over the retiring few age , consumer have become obsess with the notion of cause their documents and datum instantly available wherever they are , on whichever machine they happen to be using at the time . In the past tense , Apple experiment with this by offering circumscribed sync services ; with iCloud , the troupe is lodge head - first into the digital - sync sphere .
What is iCloud?
In poor , iCloud is a catchall phrase that covers Apple ’s entire suite of wireless sync and backup serving , which direct to keep your devices — both iOS , and desktop estimator running OS X Lion , Windows Vista , or Windows 7 — on the same page , no matter which one you ’re using at any given moment . bust down , those services cover four area : papers and data point sync , fluid backup , locating sentience , and purchase direction .
Any customer can create a free iCloud account , which provides 5 GB of memory board for papers sync and mobile support ; additional outer space can be purchased for a annual fee . ( Your purchase content from the iTunes and App Stores do not count toward this storage limit . ) Unlike certain third - party service , iCloud is n’t focused on preserving your single file cabinet , or bring home the bacon a central folder where you could upload documents to access across platforms — Apple wants you to stop worrying about where specific files keep open to , and rather centre on the information itself .
Document and data sync : This portion of iCloud provides you with an inconspicuous on-line repository ( 5 GB for free , up to 50 GB on a yearly paid plan ) for your email , contacts , calendars , documents , and app information . Your iOS machine and computers conjointly sync to and pull information from this central waiter on a even ground , thus keep everything up - to - day of the month . Like iCloud ’s predecessor , MobileMe , your mail , calendar , and inter-group communication accounts will be accessible from all your devices and on the Web . You ’ll also be able to access your iWork documents , if you have one of the iWork apps on your iOS twist .
If you’ve converted your old Apple ID, you need to toggle the Mail switch to On in the iCloud pane to get an email address for your account.
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Mobile backup : If you ’ve owned an iOS twist before , you ’ll find iCloud backups very similar to tethered iTunes backups . Like iTunes , iCloud plump for up information on your purchased content ( euphony , apps , and book ) , your Camera Roll , gimmick configurations , data , home blind , messages , and ringtones , but instead of saving that data in a file on your computer , the service stack away it online instead . Your purchases themselves are n’t back up to your iCloud history ; alternatively , your backup keeps a record of what you own . When you restore your twist from a backup , those purchases automatically redownload back in place , aided by your game - up app data and nursing home sieve positioning . This room , you should always be capable to restore entropy without ever demand to secure your gimmick into your Mac or PC .
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To convert your MobileMe account into an iCloud account, visit the MobileMe Move page and enter your account information.
emplacement sentience : As part of iCloud , you may settle both your gadget ( iOS and Mac ) and your companions , using the Find My iPhone and Find My Friends app , respectively . Both apps are costless and available to download from the App Store ; you’re able to also turn up your iOS equipment and your Mac by going to the iCloud website .
Read more about ascertain My Friends
Purchase management : The final part of Apple ’s iCloud strategy rivet on your preceding purchases and your iTunes medium aggregation . Using your innocent iCloud bill , you could access a complete book of all your purchased iTunes depicted object ; take to download new euphony , apps , and account book mechanically ; and redownload anything for gratuitous . Pay a annual fee , and you may access your entire medicine library ( up to 25,000 songs ) across multiple devices , whether they be buy iTunes songs or not .
View Apple’s paid iCloud storage plans by tapping the Buy More Storage button on your iOS device.
Read more about iCloud and purchase management
Set up iCloud
If you do n’t have an iCloud account , it ’s easy to sign on up for one , either on your machine , whenupdating to iOS 5or through the preferences app , or on your computer if you ’re run OS X 10.7.2 . If you ’re switching from MobileMe , you have to move and merge your report through the iCloud website before you could take advantage the avail .
Do you have an Apple ID?If you ’ve ever purchased something from the iTunes Store , you ’ll have signed up for an Apple ID ( which is usually your main email speech ) . Even if you never used this account to bless up for MobileMe , you may change over it into an iCloud account .
If you ’ve change over your old Apple ID , you postulate to toggle the Mail switch over to On in the iCloud dose to get an email address for your explanation .
To do so from an iOS machine , go to the options app and rap the iCloud menu . At the top of the projection screen , enter your Apple ID and password . After a present moment of frame-up time , iCloud will prompt you to merge anything on your gadget with this freshly create account ; pat Merge to do so , or Do n’t Merge if you do n’t need to copy the information currently on your gadget . From there , just tap the toggle switch to customize your iCloud story the way you prefer . mark that if you convert an Apple ID into an iCloud report , you wo n’t have access to iCloud email by nonpayment — you’ll have to create a name@me.com address first . To do so , toggle the Mail skidder in the iCloud setting pane to On ; a bulge out - up dialogue box from the bottom of the screen will remind you to make a username .
To activate iCloud on your computer , you necessitate to be run OS X 10.7.2 . ( you could download it fromApple ’s websiteor from Software Update on your computer . ) you’re able to set up iCloud online aticloud.comby just logging in with your Apple ID ; you’re able to also correct it up from your computer ’s System Preferences lotion by get through on the iCloud preference Elvis .
But what if I share my Apple ID?If multiple people use your Apple ID ( say , if you have one central account for your , your spouse ’s , and your children ’s purchases ) , you could still apply this ID among you for purchases , but each mortal will have to create a separate iCloud account statement for synchronise and backup .
For example , if you have an Apple ID ( or MobileMe account ) you use between you , your significant other , and your girl for leverage , but they ’d like to take advantage of iCloud ’s sync and warehousing features , you ’ll want to do the following : Have each family member foretoken up for an iCloud account for their backup , mail , etc ; then , after setting up iCloud on their iOS devices , go to the Store taste pane within the options app , signalise out of the iCloud account ( which will populate there automatically after you sign up ) , then sign into the original Apple ID you use for purchases .
If the Apple ID your family unit use for purchase isalsoyour primary account statement for syncing ( if it ’s a MobileMe story , for example ) , you personally can employ it for iCloud ; but your family extremity will need to create separate iCloud accounts so that they do n’t accidentally end up syncing with your entropy .
Can I merge Apple IDs into one iCloud account?Not at this time , unfortunately .
How do I unite my MobileMe account?If you have a MobileMe account you ’d like to move to iCloud , ensure you know what you ’re potentially getting rid of before you do anything . While iCloud shares many of MobileMe ’s features , it ’s axed a few others : namely , iWeb publication ; Gallery ; iDisk ; and OS 10 syncing of Dashboard thingumabob , keychains , Dock point , and System Preferences . If you choose to move over your chronicle , make trusted youread Apple ’s FAQon the matter to assure you ’re not accidentally erase data point you have n’t endorse up .
To convert your MobileMe score into an iCloud news report , inspect the MobileMe Move page and enter your chronicle information .
If you ’re certain you ’re ready , you could move your account by lead tome.com/moveon a estimator running OS X 10.7.2 and follow the tone . Once you discharge the spiritual rebirth , you’re able to use your MobileMe credentials to sign into iCloud on your iOS machine and computer .
signalize Up for iCloud : If you ’ve never purchased medicine , or if you need to create a newfangled Apple ID , you’re able to very well create one directly from your iOS equipment or calculator .
If you ’re on an iOS equipment bunk Io 5 , head to the options app and tap the iCloud card . At the top of the cover , you ’re propel for a username and parole if you already have an account ; otherwise , you may tap Get A Free Apple ID at the bottom to sign up for one . If you ’re on a computer , you’re able to contract up for an iCloud history online aticloud.com , or from the iCloud pane in the System Preferences app . 
say more about common iCloud setup scenarios
Storage in the cloud
watch Apple ’s paid iCloud computer storage program by tap the Buy More Storage button on your iOS gimmick .
As mentioned above , iCloud allow for you with 5 GB of space for free in which you’re able to salt away gimmick backup man , e-mail , contacts , calendars , documents , and app datum . While your purchased content — apps , music , books , and shows — and your Photo Stream is part of iCloud , it does n’t count toward that storage demarcation line : Apple takes care of all of that for you .
For most citizenry , 5 GB should be enough , at least ab initio . But once iCloud text file computer storage becomes more prevalent , that may switch . For those who want more space , Apple has several pay plans available that range from $ 20 to $ 100 a yr .
For $ 20 , you may tote up another 10 GB of entrepot ( for a sum of 15 GB ) ; for $ 40 , you may bring that total up to 25 GB total storage ; and for $ 100 , you may have a grand amount of 55 GB of iCloud storage in your name . Buying these plans is as simple as visiting the iCloud preference pane on your iOS twist or calculator : On an iOS gimmick , head to configurations - > iCloud - > Storage & Backup - > grease one’s palms More Storage ; on your Mac , open up the iCloud pane in the System Preferences app and snap the Manage button next to the bar demonstrate your iCloud storage . From there , it ’s just like purchasing an iOS app or something from the Mac App Store , as you sign into the Apple ID and password associate with iCloud .
[ Serenity Caldwell is a staff editor program at Macworld . ]
Updated at 11:45 p.m PT to clarify details about apportion your Apple ID and iCloud .
