iCloud & iCloud Photos · Messages, Mail and device backups in iCloud
Does Messages in iCloud use my iCloud storage and my Mac's space?
Short answer: Yes. With Messages in iCloud on, conversations and attachments count toward iCloud storage, and the Mac keeps its own local copy too. Delete big attachments and old conversations, or set a shorter keep time in Messages settings.
Yes, both, in different ways. With Messages in iCloud on, your conversations and attachments are stored in iCloud and count toward your iCloud storage. On the Mac, Messages keeps a local copy too, which can grow large with photos and videos.
To use less:
- Delete big attachments and old conversations — with Messages in iCloud they're removed everywhere.
- In Messages → Settings, set how long messages are kept, if you don't need them forever.
For freeing the Mac side specifically, see reducing Messages storage on a Mac.