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Visit iCloud
  • Easy to use
  • Deep integration with Apple devices
  • Affordable

iCloud Drive Review

iCloud Drive functions like any other cloud storage sync and share folder does. It works exceptionally well with Apple devices and apps, but not so well with PCs. Read on to learn more in our iCloud Drive review.

Jason Stagnitto
By Jason Stagnitto (Writer)
— Last Updated: 2024-10-09T23:33:24+00:00 Facts checked by Goran Nikolić
Key Takeaways: What Is iCloud Drive & Is It Good to Use?
  • iCloud Drive is best used within the Apple ecosystem as it’s a core app installed on all Apple devices.
  • iCloud Drive has good file sync and sharing features, but it doesn’t offer much else beyond them.
  • The service has improved its security with the option to enable advanced data encryption.

Facts & Expert Analysis About iCloud Drive:

  • Data disaster: iCloud is notorious for its role in high-profile data leaks, including the 2014 celebrity nude photo scandal 1 and the Britney Spears spying debacle 2
  • Heightened security: After the previously mentioned data leaks, Apple increased its iCloud security. In early 2023 3, it introduced the option to enable advanced data protection, which is as close to private encryption as you can get with Apple.
  • Protection for children: For children under the age of 13, parents or legal guardians can create an Apple ID for their child, which helps limit what data Apple can collect on them.

iCloud Video Review

50GB – 12TB$0.99 / month

iCloud Drive is a sync and share folder that’s included as a core app on Apple devices. It works like any other cloud sync folder, letting you upload, access, and share folders and files. iCloud Drive is part of iCloud, but it didn’t quite make our list of the best cloud storage services.

If you use Apple products and stay within its ecosystem of apps, then iCloud Drive is an easy option. However, as a stand-alone cloud storage folder, it comes up short — especially when compared to other competitors. Its main features are syncing and sharing, which is the bare minimum in terms of expectation. Read on to discover more about iCloud Drive.

  • 09/08/2024 Facts checked

    Rewritten to include current prices and features as well as fresh speed tests.

  • 09/25/2024 Facts checked

    Added video review of iCloud Drive.

What Is iCloud Drive & Who Is It For?

iCloud is Apple’s cloud storage service that lets users store and sync data, such as files, photos or videos, across linked devices. It works best with other Apple apps, but those outside Apple’s ecosystem can still use iCloud as a cloud service. It’s best used as a personal cloud storage service since better options exist for business customers.

  • Release date: Oct. 12, 2011
  • Developer: Apple
  • Platforms: Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad
  • Notable features: App integration and easy sharing
  • Pricing: 50GB for $0.99 per month
Jason Stagnitto

The Cloudwards Expert Opinion

Jason Stagnitto is a writer for Cloudwards. His writing and research for Cloudwards focus largely on cloud storage and online backup.

iCloud Drive is fine for what it is, which is a bare-bones sync and share folder that’s easy to use and intuitive. Its integration with Apple products is also effortless and seamless. However, using iCloud Drive as your primary cloud storage or paying for more storage probably isn’t the best option for anyone other than the most die-hard Apple lovers. 

iCloud Drive: Pros & Cons

50GB – 12TB$0.99 / month

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Solid file sharing
  • Seamless Apple integration
  • Improved security options

Cons:

  • Limited features
  • Not great on a PC
  • Questionable privacy

iCloud Drive Alternatives

iCloud Drive Pricing: How Much Does iCloud Cost?

90 % – Excellent

iCloud has some of the better prices for cloud storage, making it an affordable option for most consumers. However, since there aren’t any business prices, iCloud is best suited for personal use. iCloud has a free plan, so you can try it risk-free.

iCloud Free Cloud Storage Plan

iCloud offers 5GB of storage for free when you create an Apple ID. This is similar to a Microsoft or Google account, where one login grants you access to several tools and apps. If you have an Apple device, then chances are you already have 5GB of free storage space. On a Windows device, you can download iCloud, create an Apple ID and then use the free iCloud account.

Pricing Plan Breakdown

Purchasing an iCloud plan means upgrading to iCloud+. With iCloud+, you can choose from various amounts of storage space at different price points. The main difference in pricing relates to the HomeKit Secure Video function. Each plan increases the number of cameras you can connect, with the highest amount offering unlimited cameras. The iCloud+ plans are as follows:

  • iCloud+ 50GB, $0.99 per month
  • iCloud+ 200GB, $2.99 per month
  • iCloud+ 2TB, $9.99 per month
  • iCloud+ 6TB, $29.99 per month
  • iCloud+ 12TB, $59.99 per month

To upgrade to an iCloud+ plan, you must use either an Apple device or the downloaded iCloud app if you’re on a PC. You can’t purchase an iCloud+ plan from a web browser. Additionally, iCloud doesn’t have a money-back guarantee when you make a purchase. However, you can request a refund from Apple, or you can cancel at any time since iCloud+ is paid monthly.

iCloud Storage Options: Is iCloud+ Worth It?

The price points for iCloud+ plans are competitive with other cloud services. If you use iCloud as your primary cloud storage, then upgrading to iCloud+ is certainly worth considering. However, if you aren’t tied to the Apple ecosystem or you want a little more freedom with your cloud storage provider, then an iCloud+ plan probably isn’t worth it

iCloud+ 50GB Plan
  • 50GB
iCloud+ 200GB Plan
  • 200GB
More plans
iCloud+ 2TB Plan
  • 2TB
iCloud+ 12TB
  • 12TB

Features: What Can iCloud Drive Do?

60 % – Fair

iCloud Drive shines when you’re using Apple’s apps. It seamlessly integrates with Apple devices, allowing you to organize and share through apps or with individuals. Aside from sharing — which has a dedicated section below — iCloud Drive is a simple, basic cloud storage folder. 

File Previews

File previews work best when accessing iCloud Drive on the web or a mobile device. If you try to view a file through the desktop folder, it will just open it. The “file preview” feature supports many file types, which obviously includes all Apple-based apps. You can preview PDFs, images and videos. If a file type isn’t supported, you’ll get a prompt to download the file (at least on a Mac).

icloud preview
You can preview files on a Mac or iOS device as
long as the file type is supported. 

File previews work better on iPhone as you can use the “quick look” feature to see files beyond Apple’s apps. For example, you can double-tap a Word document to see its contents. However, each file you preview will get downloaded to your device first.

File Retention

File retention essentially works by accessing the “recently deleted” tab in your iCloud Drive and restoring any files that are available there. Items in this tab are held for 30 days before they are permanently deleted.

icloud retention
Any files in the “recently deleted” tab will remain there for
30 days before being permanently deleted. 

iCloud Drive doesn’t have file versioning. With Apple, all file versioning happens in a respective app. For example, you can see previous versions of a Pages file within the Pages app (if you have that file in iCloud Drive), but these versions won’t be visible from iCloud Drive itself. 

iCloud Drive Features Overview

Sync
Sync Folder
Block-Level Sync
Selective Sync
Bandwidth management
Sync Any Folder
File Sharing
File Link Sharing
Link Passwords
Link Expiry Dates
Folder Sharing
Folder Permissions
Link Download Limits
Upload Links
Productivity
File Previews
Edit Files
In-App Collaboration
Office Online
Google Docs
Notes App
Media Playback
Mobile Apps
Deleted File Retention
Versioning
WebDAV
Security
At-Rest Encryption
In-Transit Encryption
Encryption ProtocolAES 128-bit
Zero Knowledge
Two-Factor Authentication
Server LocationUS
Support
24/7 Support
Live Chat Support
Telephone Support
Email Support
User Forum
Knowledgebase
Misc
Free Plan

User-Friendliness & Hands-On Testing

90 % – Excellent

Apple typically gets high marks for user interaction and user experience, and that certainly applies to iCloud Drive. It works best on an Apple device, but it still functions just fine using the web or a PC. iCloud Drive is easy to use, no matter your experience level.

iCloud Drive on Desktop: Mac & Windows Apps

iCloud Drive is included in the core apps for Mac devices. Once you create an Apple ID, you automatically get access to the 5GB free iCloud plan and the iCloud Drive folder. You can drag and drop items into the folder through the Finder app. In fact, that’s the only way to add items to your iCloud Drive folder.

icloud account
Any Apple user can access their iCloud account through a
web browser, desktop or iOS mobile device. 

The iCloud app on PC is less intuitive than its Mac counterpart since it doesn’t interact with as many PC-based apps. iCloud Drive installs a folder in your File Explorer, and you can add items using the same drag-and-drop method. Other options include creating a new folder or adding a shortcut. Note that you can’t activate an iCloud account on PC, meaning you’ll have to set it up on a Mac or iOS device first.

icloud pc
On a PC, iCloud creates a folder for syncing files
between devices on your account.
iCloud Drive on Mobile: Android & iOS Apps

iCloud Drive works wonderfully on an iOS device — potentially even better than on a Mac desktop. You can find the iCloud Drive folder through the Files app. It’s possible to scan a document using an iPhone or iPad, which is a handy feature for creating PDFs. Additionally, since there’s already a Photos app, iCloud Drive doesn’t have an option to upload photos.

icloud ios
Apple users can access their data on iOS
devices through the Files app.

Despite some workarounds and third-party apps that enable sync features, iCloud Drive isn’t officially supported on Android devices. Since there’s no Apple app for iCloud Drive on Android, we won’t cover external methods in this article.

“iCloud Account Needs Review”: What Does This Mean?

Seeing a message stating that your “iCloud account needs review” is a common occurrence. This could result from screen time restrictions, which you can adjust in the settings. Another option could be a conflict with your profile, especially on iPhones issued for business purposes.

Speed

60 % – Fair

Considering that Apple is one of the largest tech companies in the world, the performance of iCloud Drive is incredibly disappointing.

Like all our cloud storage speed tests, we tested iCloud on a virtual machine with a 1 Gbps connection, throttled down to 100 Mbps to ensure stability. We then ran two uploads and two downloads, averaging them out for the final result.

First attemptSecond attemptAverage
Upload0:10:400:11:560:11:18
Download0:08:280:08:210:08:25

Although the download speeds aren’t terrible, they’re firmly in the “mediocre” range. The upload speeds are even slower, and in our tests we found that iCloud consistently struggled to use the bandwidth allocated to it and would take up to a minute to start uploading the files.

With these results, iCloud won’t be breaking into the list of the fastest cloud storage providers any time soon.

File Sharing & Syncing

80 % – Good

File sharing and syncing are seamless experiences with iCloud Drive. It keeps your data synced when you make changes, so you’re always working with the most recent version, no matter how you access your account. Sharing files or folders works similarly to other cloud storage services, letting you create a link or share using email addresses.

File Sharing Options

You can share any item in your iCloud Drive folder, either through the web interface or within the app. iCloud Drive gives you two options: send a copy or collaborate. If you stay within the Apple ecosystem, you’ll also have other sharing options, like using AirDrop, adding to Messages or using Mail.

iCloud’s sharing features are limited as you can’t add a password or a link expiration date for added protection. If you were hoping to request upload links, you can’t do that either. Sharing with iCloud is a straightforward experience. 

You can also share items from the iCloud Drive folder on your Mac or Windows device by right-clicking an item and selecting “share.” On a Mac, you can choose the “send copy” or “collaborate” options. The “send copy” method is the default, and you can share the item using apps. Picking “collaborate” lets you manage link access, like limiting access only to those invited.

icloud share
You can share folders or files from your iCloud Drive folder by
creating a copy or sending it directly to others.

Sharing via the web interface or your mobile app will provide the exact same options. On the web interface, using apps is limited since none of them are connected. Choosing “send a copy” opens your default email client. Selecting “collaborate with others” gives the same access management options, and lets you send an email or create a link to share.

On a PC, you’ll see options to add email addresses, use apps or share nearby, if that feature is turned on. While using a PC, there’s no option to manage access when using email addresses. However, you can click on the “copy” icon and paste the item where you want to share it.

File Syncing Options

iCloud Drive doesn’t have many customizable file sync options, nor does it support block-level sync. This means that it updates the entire file every time a change is made. Alternatively, you can opt to leave items in the cloud. Doing so won’t take up space on the device you are using.

icloud sync
Apple iCloud supports selective sync by letting you
decide which items will use iCloud.

iCloud does support selective sync since you can choose which folders or apps use your iCloud account. However, iCloud Drive doesn’t have that level of sync granularity. In fact, iCloud Drive is one of the apps that you can exclude from using iCloud. If you turn it off, then iCloud Drive won’t update on that particular device.

Security: Is iCloud Drive Safe?

90 % – Excellent

iCloud Drive has solid security features as it implements data protection at the file level, depending on the device and internal chip. Earlier iCloud versions weren’t as secure, which is evidenced by some high-profile data leaks. Now, iCloud has stronger security and includes the option to enable end-to-end encryption.

iCloud Drive Security Features

iCloud Drive doesn’t have many security features that you can interact with or customize. However, you can enable two-factor authentication for your larger iCloud account. Another option is to sign out of all browsers, which you can find in your iCloud settings.

iCloud as a whole — including iCloud Drive — has what Apple calls standard data protection. With this level of protection, data is encrypted while in transit and at rest. The encryption keys used for decryption are stored at Apple’s data centers. Some data elements, like information found in the Health app or iCloud Keychain, are end-to-end encrypted by default.

icloud security
Enabling advanced data protection increases the data security of
your account by using end-to-end encryption on most items.

Apple lets you enable advanced data protection, which extends end-to-end encryption to nearly all of your data. It’s recommended that you set a recovery key since Apple can’t help you if you forget your password. Even still, advanced data protection doesn’t apply to iCloud Mail, your contacts or your calendars.

Detailed Security Analysis: Encryption & Cloud Security
Chip Type:Chips A14-A17 & M1-M3Chips A9-A13 & S5-S9
Encryption Type:AES 256-bitAES 128-bit

Apple uses the internal CPU processor to determine what type of encryption protocol to use, as you can see from the table above. Generally, devices with older chips use AES 128-bit encryption, while those with newer chips use AES 256-bit encryption.

Privacy: Is iCloud Drive Private?

70 % – Decent

Apple — and iCloud, by association — aren’t the most privacy-minded companies. Its privacy policy explains what data it collects, why it collects that data and how it is shared. Apple clearly knows a lot about you based on this data collection, and it can share your personal data in some cases.

Zero-Knowledge Encryption

With zero-knowledge encryption, a cloud storage provider can’t access your password, which means your data is secure from unauthorized parties. iCloud doesn’t have true zero-knowledge encryption even with advanced data protection enabled, as Apple can still access some categories of data.

If you use Apple products — especially iCloud — and you value your privacy, we recommend enabling advanced data protection. This ensures that your data and account are as private as Apple allows you to make it. 

Apple Privacy Policy

Apple makes it clear that it collects a lot of data on you, including personal data like contact and transactional information, usage data, as well as location and financial information. Additionally, Apple’s privacy policy indicates that it could receive personal data on you from other sources, such as individuals or its partner affiliates.

In Apple’s privacy policy, nothing is out of the ordinary regarding how it uses your data. However, Apple also clearly states that it may share your personal data with outside entities, although not for marketing purposes. Apple won’t sell your personal data, either.

iCloud Drive Customer Support

80 % – Good

The main way to get assistance with iCloud Drive — or any Apple product — is to search the support page for help and how-to articles. Apple’s support page is a robust, searchable source of information. Additionally, you can engage with Apple’s community forums for help and answers to your questions.

icloud support
You can find answers to your questions or get direct help
from Apple through the support page.

If you need help beyond that, Apple has a dedicated support app that you can download on your mobile device. There’s also telephone support if you want to talk to someone. Additionally, if you want to speak to someone in person, you can schedule an appointment with the Genius Bar at your local Apple store.

iCloud Drive vs Other Cloud Storage Services

It’s not easy to compare iCloud Drive to other cloud storage services that aren’t tied to an operating system, as almost all of them have more features and functionality than iCloud Drive. A good example is IDrive. In almost every measure, IDrive offers more than iCloud Drive. You can read more in our IDrive vs iCloud Drive comparison article.

OneDrive is another cloud storage service that’s bound to an operating system — in this case, Windows. Like iCloud Drive, OneDrive integrates seamlessly with Windows apps while also working well through the web interface. Collaboration and productivity are some of its strong elements, as you’ll find in our OneDrive review.

The Verdict: Is iCloud Worth It?

iCloud Drive is a natural choice if you already use many Apple products and applications. It integrates beautifully and functions great on Mac or iOS. However, iCloud Drive falls short as a stand-alone cloud storage app, with fewer features and functionalities than many of its competitors.

Do you use iCloud? If so, how do you like it? If not, what cloud storage do you prefer? Let us know in the comments section below. Thanks for reading.

FAQ: iCloud Apple Storage Plans

  • The main disadvantage of iCloud is that it’s less than fulfilling, with fewer features and functionality when used on non-Apple devices.

  • iCloud is a good option for those who are already invested in the Apple ecosystem. It’s a natural choice that integrates and functions seamlessly with other Apple products.

  • iCloud is a reliable cloud service, particularly for those who use Apple devices and applications.

Sources:

  1. The celebrity nude photo leak of 2014: what really happened, and could it happen again? – The Telegraph
  2. How Jamie Spears Spied on Britney Spears Through iCloud – VICE
  3. Why You Should Enable Apple’s New Security Feature in iOS 16.2 Right Now – New York Times
50GB - 12TB $0.99 / month (All Plans)
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