iPhone 6(S)/Plus is it not possible to do icloud backup with free standard 5GB quota?

[batemanj]

Hello,

I tried to do cloud backup of my Iphone 6s plus and it says "there is not enough icloud storage available". It says same even if I UNchecked "everything" to backup (except for contacts/calendar).

It also shows the Icloud storage usage is "2.1GB out of 5GB".

Could anyone please advise on how can I take icloud backup? I just need basic OS and contacts to be backed up to Icloud (just in case though I take itunes backup every week). If IOS 12 alone takes more than 5GB then whats the point of free 5GB standard quota?

Wondering if I can empty the icloud storage (without deleting on the phone) then try the backup? if yes, how can I empty my icloud storage space (free up that 2.1GB at cloud).

Thanks!!

 

[Newtons Apple]

My MAX backs up to the cloud every night. It is always under the 5gb limit as I do not have it backing up my pictures. Looks like you are only using 2.1gb. It will overwrite that so you have a full 5gb.

Even though I do the iCloud back up nightly, I still do a encrypted iTunes backup weekly that includes my images.

 

[nburwell]

You could delete whatever is taking up 2.1GB on iCloud, then back-up your phone.

I used to easily back-up my iDevices with the free 5GB Apple gave us. But now that I use iCloud for my photos/videos, I upgraded to the 50GB. It's easily worth the $1 I pay each month.

 

[212rikanmofo]

I would hope that Apple increased the limits by now. 5GB at this time and age? C'mon Apple, you're a trillion dollar company, are you really going to be that damn stingy. 5GB is barely enough space these days.

 

[Jordan921]

I would hope that Apple increased the limits by now. 5GB at this time and age? C'mon Apple, you're a trillion dollar company, are you really going to be that damn stingy. 5GB is barely enough space these days.

Why do people think Apple should give everything away for free just because they are a trillion dollar company.

 

[Jimmy James]

I have a lot of data on my phone and it’s enough. I disable photos since that’s what puts me over.

 

[batemanj]

But how can I free up that 2.1GB fro Icloud? I tried to login into iCloud and its painful to delete each photo/item there. Is there any quick/smart way to empty "entire" iCloud storage?

I have Google photos app with unlimited storage (high quality - not original) where all my photos are backed up in no time.

I can't understand why Apple keeps such simple things so much complicated..? Please advise on how can I freeup 2.1GB from Icloud storage quickly, thanks!!

 

[iapplelove]

I used to easily back-up my iDevices with the free 5GB Apple gave us. But now that I use iCloud for my photos/videos, I upgraded to the 50GB. It's easily worth the $1 I pay each month.

oh man I didn’t even realize they had a 50GB option for a buck. I’ve been paying
2.99 for the 200gb option and I barely need 5gb haha...

Guess I will downgrade options when I get home tonight! It’s not a ton of money but it is money I’m throwibg away.

 

[212rikanmofo]

Why do people think Apple should give everything away for free just because they are a trillion dollar company.

Well think about it. We pay $1500 for a phone now adays, and they are slowly removing away things that should already be included in the package, like the 3.5mm adapter, fast charging cable, etc. What kind of stingy stunt are they pulling?

 

[Jordan921]

Well think about it. We pay $1500 for a phone now adays, and they are slowly removing away things that should already be included in the package, like the 3.5mm adapter, fast charging cable, etc. What kind of stingy stunt are they pulling?

You don’t like what they are doing then don’t buy Apple products. Simple as that. I have no need for the adapter and I can find my own fast charging cable.

 

[batemanj]

Out of 2.1GB, 1.6GB being used for Whatsapp so when I tried to delete it says the data will also be removed from Iphone. How can I delete it just on "Icloud"?

 

[212rikanmofo]

You don’t like what they are doing then don’t buy Apple products. Simple as that. I have no need for the adapter and I can find my own fast charging cable.

Easy for you to say. I like their products, which is why I'm willing to spend $1500 on a phone, I just don't like what they're doing. Just because of that, doesn't mean I'm not going to buy something that I want. I've invested so much into Apple, I have a right to complain when I feel that it's necessary.

 

[akash.nu]

Easy for you to say. I like their products, which is why I'm willing to spend $1500 on a phone, I just don't like what they're doing. Just because of that, doesn't mean I'm not going to buy something that I want. I've invested so much into Apple, I have a right to complain when I feel that it's necessary.

Hardware and software / services businesses are different and are run on different principles. Hardware sales will slow down eventually. That’s why apple has started focussing on software and services more. Hardware is their gateway to software and services. So yeah as much as you don’t like it, that’s how it is.

Always remember - if you ain’t paying then you’re the product!

 

[nutmac]

If you take significant amount of photos and/or videos, I recommend ponying up $0.99 to $9.99/month for a paid iCloud storage plan.

I am on a $9.99/month 2 TB plan and I now take video at 4K resolution on an iPhone with dinky 64GB storage without breaking a sweat. And all of my family's Messages data are now on the cloud, as well as full Backup.

If you don't take much photos and video, you probably need to minimally exclude Messages and Camera Roll in iCloud Backup setting to make 5 GB free plan work for you.

 

[The Game 161]

I pay £0.79 a month for 50GB

Certainly not breaking the bank

 

[batemanj]

I had been on 200GB for 2 years but was unhappy with their service as they couldn't get me all my videos/photos when I needed (especially of 2016-17). I think they archive old images on some tape libraries which were not only slow but also unreliable so decided to switch to 5GB standard and I'm extremely happy with "Google photos" app which is not only free but unlimited storage (with HQ).

Now coming to my main issue, I also freed 1.6GB of whatsapp and using only 580MB of 5GB yet Icloud backup throws error that there's no enough space in the Icloud. Is this Apple trillion company aiming user's £0.79 per month with this nonsense??

Only thing I'm sticking with Apple is their product (device) quality and everything else I just hate it...

 

[EM2013]

You can turn on iCloud for contacts without iCloud backup. You can sign in on any future device and your contacts will be there.

I don’t pay for storage and just stick to iTunes backup.

 

[nutmac]

I had been on 200GB for 2 years but was unhappy with their service as they couldn't get me all my videos/photos when I needed (especially of 2016-17). I think they archive old images on some tape libraries which were not only slow but also unreliable so decided to switch to 5GB standard and I'm extremely happy with "Google photos" app which is not only free but unlimited storage (with HQ).

Google Photos is certainly faster and search is much nicer.

But Google compresses photos and videos, which is why Google also offers a paid tier that maintains the original files in tact.

• Photos are compressed to save space. If a photo is larger than 16MP, it will be resized to 16MP.
• You can print good quality 16MP photos in sizes up to 24 inches x 16 inches.
• Videos higher than 1080p will be resized to high-definition 1080p. A video with 1080p or less will look close to the original. Some information, like closed captions, might be lost.

With iCloud Photo Library, my photos and videos remain in the original format. Which is important if you like shooting 4K video. Since iPhone takes photos at 12 MP, they are only compressed (by roughly 50%), but image degradation is probably not noticeable for casual users.

Furthermore, I just don't like the idea of having to run Google Photos app manually and leave it running to finish backup. And Google Photos for Mac is a pile of crap that no longer works reliably enough. Add possible privacy concerns, I just rather use paid iCloud plan.

As for your iCloud Backup fiasco, try deleting the backup and reinitiating the backup manually (after unselecting apps that use too much space).