Can you delete things from iCloud?

Answered by Antonio Sutton

You can delete files and folders from iCloud Drive. iCloud Drive is a cloud storage service provided by Apple, and it allows you to store and access your files across multiple devices. Deleting files from iCloud Drive can free up storage space and help you organize your files more efficiently.

To delete files or folders from iCloud Drive, follow these steps:

1. Open the Files app on your Apple device. This app is pre-installed on iOS devices, and you can also download it from the App Store if you don’t have it.

2. Tap on the “Browse” tab at the bottom of the screen. This will take you to the file browser interface.

3. Under the “Locations” section, you will find “iCloud Drive”. Tap on it to access the files and folders stored in your iCloud Drive.

4. Once you are in the iCloud Drive, you can navigate through the folders to find the files or folders you want to delete. You can tap on a folder to open it and view its contents.

5. To select multiple files or folders for deletion, tap on the “Select” button located at the top-right corner of the screen. This will enable the selection mode.

6. Tap on the files or folders that you want to delete. As you tap on each item, a checkmark will appear next to it to indicate that it is selected.

7. After selecting the files or folders, tap on the trash can icon or the “Delete” button (the exact label may vary depending on your device and iOS version) to delete them. Confirm the deletion if prompted.

It’s important to note that deleting files or folders from iCloud Drive will also remove them from all other devices connected to your iCloud account. So, if you have multiple devices linked to your iCloud, the deletion will be synced across all of them.

Additionally, deleting files from iCloud Drive does not necessarily mean that they are permanently gone. Deleted files are moved to the “Recently Deleted” folder in iCloud Drive, where they will be stored for a limited period of time (usually 30 days) before being permanently deleted. So, if you accidentally delete something, you can still recover it from the “Recently Deleted” folder within that time frame.

Deleting files and folders from iCloud Drive is a straightforward process that can be done using the Files app on your Apple device. By managing your files effectively, you can optimize your iCloud storage and keep your files organized.