To share your iCloud storage with others, you’ll need to set up Family Sharing on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. When you activate Family Sharing, you’ll also have the chance to share App Store purchases, an Apple Music account, and more.
If you need more iCloud storage space for the entire family, you can upgrade your storage plan.
While the 5 GB of storage that Apple gives users for free might not be enough for even one person, upgrading to 200 GB can be overkill.
If this is the case, you might want to share your storage space with others. You can use iCloud’s Family Sharing feature for just this purpose. A Family Sharing group can share either the 200 GB or 2 TB storage plan while keeping all their own files and photos separate and private.
Here’s how to set up iCloud storage sharing, using any iCloud-capable device.
How to set up iCloud storage sharing on an iPhone or iPad
1. Start the Settings app and tap your account name at the top of the screen.
2. Tap “Family Sharing.”
3. If you’re not already using Family Sharing, add yourself as the organizer and tap next.
4. Tap “iCloud Storage” and make sure you have a compatible iCloud subscription you’ll need either 200 GB or 2 TB.
5. Add family members by tapping “Add Member” and sending invitations to the other members via text message. When they accept, their names will appear below your name on this page.
6. Once you’ve set this up and added your family members, you can add the other Family Sharing benefits, like group App Store purchases.
How to set up iCloud storage sharing on a Mac
1. Click the Apple icon at the top-left of the screen and choose “System Preferences”
2. Click “Family Sharing” in the top-right.
3. If you’re not already using Family Sharing, add yourself as the organizer and click next.
4. Follow the instructions to indicate if you want the family to share purchases and location information.
5. Add family members by clicking “Add Family Member” and sending invitations to the other members via email. When they accept, their names will appear below your name on this page.
6. Once they do, click “iCloud Storage” in the sidebar and make sure you’re subscribed to either the 200 GB or 2 TB plans. If you’re not, select “Upgrade” and pick a new plan.
How to manage your family’s iCloud storage
Once iCloud Family Sharing is set up, you can monitor, change, and upgrade your storage sharing at any time.
1. On an iPhone or iPad, start the Settings app and tap your account name at the top of the screen. If you’re using a Mac, click the Apple icon at the top left of the screen and choose “System Preferences”
2. Tap “Family Sharing.”
3. Tap “iCloud Storage.”
You can now see a list of all your family members, and how much iCloud storage they’re using. You can stop sharing or change your plan from here as well.