iCloud & iCloud Photos · iCloud storage space and plans
How much iCloud storage do I actually need?
Short answer: Enough for your photo library, device backups and what you keep in iCloud Drive, plus room for a year's growth. Check current use in System Settings → your name → iCloud → Manage, and keep big archives on an external drive to need less.
Enough for what you want synced and backed up there — mostly your photo library, device backups and the files you keep in iCloud Drive. Look at what you use today in System Settings → your name → iCloud → Manage, add room for a year of new photos and videos, and pick the plan that fits.
Ways to need less:
- Exclude bulky apps from iPhone backups.
- Keep big archives, finished video projects and old photos on an external drive instead of in iCloud Drive.
- Delete old device backups you no longer need.
iCloud storage is about your account; if the problem is your Mac's own disk, extra iCloud space alone won't fix it — see iCloud full vs Mac full.