---
id: icloud.does-messages-in-icloud-use-storage
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/does-messages-in-icloud-use-storage
category: "iCloud & iCloud Photos"
subcategory: "Messages, Mail and device backups in iCloud"
question: "Does Messages in iCloud use my iCloud storage and my Mac's space?"
alt_questions:
  - "Messages in iCloud storage"
  - "Do iMessages count against iCloud?"
  - "Messages taking space in iCloud"
  - "messages attachments icloud storage mac"
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."
tags: ["messages", "icloud storage", "attachments"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/what-happens-if-i-turn-off-messages-in-icloud", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-do-i-free-up-icloud-storage-without-deleting-photos", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-do-i-see-whats-using-my-icloud-storage"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Does Messages in iCloud use my iCloud storage and my Mac's space?

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](https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-reduce-messages-storage-on-a-mac).