How to Cancel iCloud Storage (2026)

First, a clarification. You cannot cancel iCloud itself. What you can do is downgrade your paid iCloud+ storage plan back to the free 5GB tier. Apple treats this as a "downgrade," not a cancellation. Your Apple ID, iCloud account, and everything tied to it stays intact. You just get less storage.

The actual downgrade takes about 30 seconds. The hard part is what happens to your data afterwards.

Before you downgrade: check your usage

Open Settings on your iPhone, tap your name, then tap iCloud. You will see a coloured bar showing how much storage you are using and what is using it (photos, backups, iCloud Drive, etc.).

If you are using 4GB or less, you can safely downgrade to the free tier with no issues. If you are well over 5GB, keep reading. You need to deal with your data first.

Common storage hogs:

• Photos are usually the biggest offender. If you have iCloud Photos turned on, every photo and video syncs to iCloud.
• iPhone backups can be 2-5GB each. If you have multiple devices backing up, this adds up fast.
• iCloud Drive stores your Desktop, Documents, and app files if you have enabled it on Mac.

How to downgrade on iPhone or iPad

1. Open Settings and tap your name
2. Tap iCloud
3. Tap Manage Account Storage (or Manage Plan on iOS 18+)
4. Tap Downgrade Options and enter your Apple ID password
5. Select Free 5GB
6. Tap Done

On iOS 18.4 and later, you can also go to Settings > your name > Subscriptions > iCloud+ > Cancel Subscription.

How to downgrade on Mac

1. Click the Apple menu > System Settings
2. Click Apple Account > iCloud
3. Click Manage Plan (or Manage > Change Storage Plan on older macOS)
4. Click Downgrade Options
5. Select Free 5GB and confirm

How to downgrade on Windows

1. Open iCloud for Windows
2. Click Manage > Change Storage Plan
3. Click Downgrade Options
4. Select Free 5GB and confirm

What happens to your data

This is the important bit. Unlike cancelling a streaming service, downgrading iCloud storage has real consequences for your files.

Nothing is deleted immediately. The downgrade takes effect at the end of your current billing period. Until then, everything stays as it is.

After the downgrade kicks in:

• If you are over 5GB, iCloud stops syncing. New photos will not upload. iCloud Drive changes will not sync across devices. iPhone backups will fail.
• Your existing data stays on Apple's servers, but it becomes read-only. You can download it, but you cannot add to it.
• Apple will not delete your files straight away. But they will send warnings, and if you stay over the limit for an extended period (Apple does not specify exactly how long), they may eventually remove data to bring you under the limit.

Photos are the biggest risk. If you use iCloud Photos with "Optimise iPhone Storage" turned on, your phone only stores thumbnails. The full-resolution versions are in iCloud. If you downgrade and lose sync, those full-resolution photos are stuck in iCloud until you either download them or re-upgrade. Before downgrading, turn off "Optimise iPhone Storage" and let your device download all originals first.

You also lose iCloud+ features: Private Relay (Apple's VPN-like feature), Hide My Email, and HomeKit Secure Video support.

Current iCloud+ pricing (AUD)

At $1.49/month for 50GB, iCloud+ is genuinely cheap. Before cancelling entirely, consider whether the 50GB tier covers your needs. It is enough for most people who just want their photos backed up and a small amount of iCloud Drive storage.

If you are on Apple One

iCloud+ storage is included in all Apple One bundles:

• Individual ($24.95/mo) includes 50GB
• Family ($31.95/mo) includes 200GB
• Premier ($49.95/mo) includes 2TB

If your iCloud storage comes through Apple One, you cannot downgrade it separately. You would need to cancel the entire Apple One bundle. Check whether keeping Apple One makes sense for the other services you use (Music, TV+, Arcade). If you only want iCloud storage, a standalone iCloud+ plan is cheaper.

Alternatives to iCloud storage

If you are leaving iCloud+ but still need cloud storage for photos or files:

• Google Photos: 15GB free (shared with Gmail and Drive). 100GB for $2.49/mo or 2TB for $13.99/mo.
• Google Drive: Same storage pool as Google Photos. Works on iPhone.
• OneDrive: 5GB free. 1TB included with Microsoft 365 ($12/mo).

Google Photos is the most practical alternative for iPhone users who just want photo backup without paying Apple. Install the Google Photos app, turn on backup, and your photos sync there instead.

Worth knowing

• Family Sharing. If someone in your family shares their iCloud+ plan with you, your storage comes from their subscription. Check with them before assuming you are paying for your own plan.
• No refunds on monthly plans. You keep access until the end of your billing period, but Apple does not prorate monthly iCloud+ subscriptions.
• You can re-upgrade anytime. If you downgrade and realise you need the storage back, you can upgrade again instantly from the same settings menu. Your data should still be there if you act before Apple removes anything.