---
id: icloud.what-else-uses-icloud-storage
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/what-else-uses-icloud-storage
category: "iCloud & iCloud Photos"
subcategory: "iCloud storage space and plans"
question: "Besides photos and backups, what else uses iCloud storage?"
alt_questions:
  - "Do notes and contacts use iCloud storage?"
  - "What counts toward iCloud storage?"
  - "Does iCloud Keychain use storage?"
  - "small things using icloud space"
short_answer: "iCloud Drive files, Messages, iCloud Mail, Notes attachments, voice memos and app data all count. Contacts, calendars, reminders and passwords are tiny. The Manage list in iCloud settings shows real sizes — usually photos, backups and Drive dominate."
tags: ["icloud storage", "messages", "mail", "notes"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-do-i-see-whats-using-my-icloud-storage", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/does-messages-in-icloud-use-storage", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/does-icloud-mail-count-against-storage"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Besides photos and backups, what else uses iCloud storage?

Anything an app stores in iCloud counts: **iCloud Drive** files, **Messages** (with Messages in iCloud), **iCloud Mail**, **Notes** with large attachments, voice memos, and app data from apps that sync. Contacts, calendars, reminders and passwords are tiny by comparison and rarely matter.

The **Manage** list in iCloud settings shows the real sizes, largest first — see [what's using your iCloud storage](https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-do-i-see-whats-using-my-icloud-storage). Usually photos, backups and iCloud Drive dominate.