Skip to main content

What is iCloud Drive?

iCloud is a plethora of things. It includes things such as Messages in iCloud, backing up your iOS devices, and important data such as contacts, contacts, and reminders. But many users don’t know that you can actually store pretty much anything within iCloud and it will sync across all your devices with a feature called iCloud Drive. So what is iCloud Drive?

What is iCloud Drive?

To put it simply, iCloud Drive is like Google Drive or Dropbox, but for iOS devices. Unlike other cloud storage solutions, iCloud Drive is built right into iOS and macOS, and allows you to store data in the cloud.

iCloud Drive is available on iOS devices running iOS 8 or later and Mac’s running macOS Yosemite or later. It’s also available on the web at iCloud.com and as an app on Windows 7 or later.

How to access iCloud Drive?

On iPhones and iPads, simply launch the Files app. Under the Locations menu, tap on iCloud Drive. From here you can create new folders and view most files stored in iCloud Drive.

To add a file to iCloud Drive on iOS, you’ll need to use the Share sheet from within apps such as Mail or Safari to add files to iCloud Drive. You can’t directly add files from within the Files app unless it’s from other cloud apps such as Dropbox or things stored locally on your iPad through the Files app.

On a Mac, open Finder and look for the iCloud Drive tab on the left side. Here, you’ll be able to view, open, modify, and even add files to the app.

For users using iCloud on the web, simply tap the iCloud Drive icon and you can download and upload files. For iWork files, you’re able to open and edit those documents within iCloud.com and iCloud will automatically update your documents.

For more help getting the most out of your Apple devices, check out our how to guide as well as the following articles:

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel