How Do I Free Up Space on My Cloud?

To free up space in your cloud storage, delete unwanted and duplicated files, videos and items.

How Do I Free Up Space on My iCloud Storage?

To free up space in your iCloud storage, delete any unnecessary files. You should also make sure your phone isn’t automatically syncing files that you don’t want saved.

How to Delete Pictures From iCloud?

To delete pictures from iCloud, go to the photos app on your device or to the iCloud website on your computer browser and delete them from your photo library.

How to Clear Cloud Storage & Free Up Space: iCloud & Other Services

If you’re running out of storage space, you may be unable to save sensitive documents when you need to. In this article, I’ll show you how to clear cloud storage by implementing better organization, using a maintenance schedule and increasing your space.

Written by Rebecca White (Writer)

Reviewed by Kate Hawkins (Editor, Writer)

Facts checked by Eugenie Tiu (Editorial Assistant)

Last Updated: 16 Nov'25

All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.

Key Takeaways: How to Clear Cloud Storage

Organize your cloud storage files into folders.
Delete unwanted or duplicate files.
Consider upgrading your cloud storage plan to give yourself more space.

Facts & Expert Analysis: Managing Cloud Storage

Keep your storage organized: By organizing your files into clear folders, you’ll be able to quickly spot any unwanted or duplicate files.
Delete items frequently: If you maintain your files by deleting old or outdated documents, it’ll be easier to stick to your storage limits.
Change the available space: If you have too much important data or too many large files to store in the space available to you, consider upgrading your plan to include more storage.

Cloud storage is a great way to increase your storage beyond what your local space allows, but it’s still possible to reach limits. Your cloud storage can quickly fill up with old or duplicate files, unwanted backups or simply too many files.

In this article, I’ll show you how to clear cloud storage in iCloud, Sync.com or any of our top cloud storage options. Plus, I’ll share some advice on keeping your storage tidy.

Meet the experts

Rebecca White (Writer)

Rebecca White is a tech and cybersecurity writer specializing in cloud storage, VPNs, antivirus software and password managers. With hands-on experience from working at a local computer repair shop and a background in content editing, she makes complex digital security topics accessible to everyday users. Rebecca holds an Associate in Arts degree from Spokane Community College and contributes to Cloudwards with a focus on clear, practical tech guidance.

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Why Is My Cloud Storage Full?

Your cloud storage may be full if it contains outdated files or if you have automatic backups, accidentally upload duplicates or don’t have enough storage space.

Old or duplicate files: If you’ve had your cloud storage for a while, you may have stored files that you no longer need. Proper organization can help you pinpoint old files to delete.
Automatic backups: When automatic file sync or backups are enabled, files can be uploaded to cloud storage without you realizing. Review your backup strategy to make sure you’re backing up only the files you need to keep.
Deleted files: Some services send deleted files to a holding space such as a recycling bin. This still counts toward your storage limit, so make sure to delete its contents.
Insufficient space: If your active storage plan is too small, you’ll run out of space faster. Consider expanding your storage if you start to run out of room.

General Guide: How to Free Up Cloud Storage Space

There are multiple ways to make space in your cloud storage. I’ll show you a few steps using my own Sync.com account, but the following advice applies to any cloud storage service.

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Organize Your Files
Create new folders to organize your files. You can sort files by project, type or even date. Doing this may reveal any accidental copies of files that you can safely remove.
Track File History
Some cloud storage providers, Sync.com included, allow you to view a file’s history and the last time it was opened. This can give you a better idea of how essential the file really is.
Optimize Syncing
Check which folders on your computer are currently syncing to cloud storage. If there are any folders that don’t need to be backed up, you can remove them from your Sync folder to turn off syncing and reduce wasted storage.
Clear Out Deleted Data
Many cloud services send deleted files to temporary storage before permanently deleting them. They’ll be automatically deleted after a set time, but you can also manually remove any content you know you don’t want.
Upgrade Your Storage
If you’re constantly reaching your storage capacity limit, you may have outgrown your cloud storage plan. In that case, consider upgrading your plan.

How to Clear iCloud Storage?

Your iCloud storage is linked to all of your iOS devices, which sync your files to the cloud by default. This can quickly fill up your iCloud storage. Follow the instructions below to clear and manage the space in your iCloud storage:

Open the settings on your iOS device.
Scroll down and open iCloud, then select “storage.”
Choose the apps, photos or documents that you want to delete.
Tap “delete data from iCloud,” or “turn off and delete from iCloud” if you want to stop future backups.

You can also clear your iCloud storage from the website:

Sign in to your iCloud account from any of your devices.
Choose the files you want to delete.
Click the “delete” button.

How to Clear Cloud Storage on Android?

The cloud storage on your Android devices is linked to your Google Drive account, which can be set to automatically sync files and photos. Here’s how to clear space on your Android:

Open Google Drive on your Android device.
Tap your profile picture in the top right and then tap “manage your Google account.”
Go to “payments & subscriptions,” then choose “account storage.”
Tap “clean up space” and review the suggested files.
Choose the files you want to remove and select “delete.”

How to Manage Your Cloud Storage Effectively: Expert Tips

Clearing your cloud storage is easier when you manage it effectively from the start. The expert tips below can help you make the most of your cloud storage:

Use a Consistent Naming System

Most cloud storage solutions allow you to rename any files you’ve saved. Use a standardized naming format for all your files to make it easier to differentiate between them at a glance.

Declutter Regularly

Making a plan to delete or reorganize files at least once per month will reduce the risk of unexpectedly running out of storage space. As a bonus, the more familiar you are with your storage, the more likely you are to notice unwanted files.

Track Backups

Keeping on top of how often you back up files and how many files are synced lets you determine whether your backup plan needs tweaking based on the available storage. If your backups are constantly using up all your storage, you either need to back up less data or invest in a cloud backup service.

Configure Automatic Deletion

Automatically deleting files of a certain age or type minimizes the number of unwanted files in your storage. Recycling bin areas have automatic deletion enabled by default, which can also reduce required maintenance.

What Happens If I Don’t Clean Up My Cloud Storage?

If you don’t clean up your cloud storage frequently, you’ll run into storage space limits. This will prevent you from uploading or even editing your files.

Final Thoughts

You can clear up your storage by organizing your files to find duplicates, turning off backups for folders that don’t need saving and clearing out deleted documents. Sometimes, storage problems are best solved by managing your space effectively and upgrading to a larger plan that includes more storage.

How much storage do your files, photos and other items need? Did any of these tips help give you more space? What’s your favorite storage provider for better organization? Let us know in the comments, and thank you for reading.

FAQ: How to Empty Cloud Storage

To free up space in your cloud storage, delete unwanted and duplicated files, videos and items.
To free up space in your iCloud storage, delete any unnecessary files. You should also make sure your phone isn’t automatically syncing files that you don’t want saved.
To delete pictures from iCloud, go to the photos app on your device or to the iCloud website on your computer browser and delete them from your photo library.