iCloud Drive for another Apple ID

Your Mac's own iCloud Drive is already available to Storage Studio through the iCloud Drive folder on your Mac, so you never add it as an account. To reach a different Apple ID — a family member's, or a second one of your own — add it as iCloud Drive (another Apple ID) and sign in with its Apple ID, password and a verification code from Apple.

Before you start

On the Apple ID you're adding, check two settings on one of its devices (Settings › your name › iCloud):

• Advanced Data Protection must be off.
• Access iCloud Data on the Web must be on.

Have one of that Apple ID's devices nearby, because Apple sends the code there. The form also tells you plainly that this uses Apple's web access, not an official connection, so Apple could change it.

Step by step

1. Choose Connect Accounts… from the More menu, then click Add Account.
2. Select iCloud Drive (another Apple ID) and type a Nickname, such as icloud-family.
3. Enter the Apple ID and its Password, then click Sign in. The sheet shows Talking to Apple….
4. Apple sends a verification code to the devices signed in to that Apple ID. Type the six-digit code and click Verify.
5. The account appears in your list.

%% caption: Signing in to another Apple ID's iCloud Drive
flowchart TD
  A[Apple ID and password, then Sign in] --> B{Did Apple accept them?}
  B -->|No| C[Fix the details or the iCloud settings, then Sign in again]
  B -->|Yes| D[Apple sends a code to that Apple ID's devices]
  D --> E{Did a code arrive?}
  E -->|Yes| F[Type the code, then Verify]
  E -->|No| G[Text me a code instead]
  G --> F
  F --> H{Code accepted?}
  H -->|Yes| I[Account added]
  H -->|No| J[Enter the newest code, or Send a new code]
  J --> F

If the code doesn't come or doesn't work

• No code on the devices — click Text me a code instead. If the Apple ID has more than one trusted phone number, Storage Studio asks Which number should Apple text the code to?
• That code didn't work, or it expired — you stay on the code step. Enter the newest code, or click Send a new code.
• This Apple ID has no phone number that can receive codes — use the code shown on one of its Apple devices instead.

Other messages

• This Apple ID has Advanced Data Protection on, or web access to iCloud off — change the two settings above, then try again.
• Apple didn't accept that Apple ID or password — check both and try again.
• Couldn't reach Apple — check your internet connection.
• Apple changed how iCloud sign-in works… — your Apple ID and password weren't the problem. Make sure you have the latest version — see keeping Storage Studio up to date.

There's more help in signing in to another Apple ID's iCloud fails.

Signing in again, about once a month

Apple asks for a new verification code roughly once a month. When that happens, transfers and browsing for that account stop working and Test connection says Apple needs you to confirm this Mac again. Select the account in Remotes & Accounts and click Sign in again: enter the password, then the new code. If you cancel part-way, the account is put back exactly as it was. See when an account needs signing in again.

Limits and what you get

• You can add up to three extra Apple IDs.
• Each one gives you its iCloud Drive and, with the same sign-in, its Photos library, read-only.
• Use it in Data Transfers or browse it in the Storage Studio location in Finder.

See also: Cloud accounts · Storage Studio's cloud accounts and iCloud Drive · How your account sign-ins are stored