How to delete iCloud Drive files from iOS, Mac, & Windows
With an iCloud account, you’ll only get 5GB free storage and it is not enough for most of the users. After some time, you’ll notice your iCloud storage getting low with emails, backups, app data, and other data. You have two ways to extend your iCloud storage either purchase the storage or delete files from your iCloud Drive. If you want to free up storage by deleting unnecessary and old files, then here are the guidelines for your device.
How to delete files from iCloud Drive on the iPhone, iPod, and iPad
Steps for the device running on iOS 11 or newer:
In iOS 11 or newer, the files deleted from iCloud Drive will move to Recently Deleted folder and remain there for 30 days.
1. Open ‘Files’ app.
2. Click ‘Browser.’
3. Go to locations, and select iCloud Drive.
4. Click ‘Select’.
5. Select the file to delete.
6. Click the ‘Trash’ icon.
To delete the files from Recently Delete:
1. Go to locations, and select ‘Recently Deleted.’
2. Click ‘Select’.
3. Select the files to delete from recently deleted.
4. Click ‘Delete.’
Steps for the device running on iOS 10.3 or older:
1. Open the ‘iCloud Drive’ app.
2. Click ‘Select’.
3. Click and select the files to delete.
4. Click ‘Delete.’
5. Select ‘Delete from iCloud Drive.’
How to delete files from iCloud Drive on Mac
If you have macOS High Sierra or newer, you can open your iCloud Drive folder from Finder to manage and delete Drive files.
Steps to enable iCloud Drive on Mac:
1. Open ‘Apple’ menu.
2. Open ‘System Preferences.’
3. Select ‘iCloud’.
4. Enter your Apple ID information for Sign In.
5. Turn the iCloud Drive on.
6. In options, choose the apps and folders to manage.
Steps to delete files from iCloud Drive folder:
1. Launch ‘Finder.’
2. Locate to iCloud Drive folder.
3. Click and select the files you want to move or delete.
4. Drag the files to the ‘Trash’ to delete or a folder to move.
5. Open ‘Trash.’
6. Select the files to delete from trash.
7. Right click and select ‘Delete.’
How to delete files from iCloud Drive on Windows
In Microsoft Windows 7 or newer, you can open and delete your iCloud Drive files from Windows Explorer. If the folder isn’t in the Windows Explorer, use the below steps to add it.
Steps to set up iCloud in Windows:
1. Download iCloud Windows on your computer.
2. Open ‘File Explorer’ and run iCloud Setup to install, if it doesn’t install automatically.
3. After that, restart your PC.
4. Go to ‘Apps or Programs’ in Start.
5. Open ‘iCloud for Windows.’
6. Enter your Apple Id information for Sign In.
7. Select the content and features to keep up to date on your devices.
8. And click ‘Apply.’
Steps to delete files from iCloud Drive on Windows:
1. Open ‘iCloud Drive folder’.
2. Click to select the files to delete.
3. Click ‘Delete.’
To delete files from iCloud.com:
1. Open a Web browser.
2. Visit ‘iCloud.com’.
3. Enter your Apple Id information for Sign In.
4. Click the ‘iCloud Drive’ app.
5. Select the files to delete.
6. Click the ‘Trash’ icon.
7. Now, go to the iCloud Drive folder.
8. Click on ‘Recently Deleted.’
9. Select the files to delete from recently deleted.
10. Click ‘Delete.’
That’s it!
Marry James is a Microsoft Office expert and her been working in the technical industry from last 10 year. As a technical expert, she has written technical blogs, manuals, white papers, and reviews for many websites such as www.office.com/setup.
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