How to Remove the iCloud Storage Full Notification on Mac

If you're constantly bothered by the "iCloud Storage Full" notification on your Mac, there are several steps you can take to manage your iCloud storage effectively and eliminate these alerts. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you clear space and stop the notifications.

How to Clear iCloud Space

To start managing your iCloud storage, you need to identify which apps and files are using the most space. Here’s how to do it:

Access iCloud Settings: Go to “System Settings,” click on your “Apple ID” profile, then select “iCloud”.
View Storage Breakdown: At the top, you will see a bar giving a summarized breakdown of your iCloud storage. Click “Manage” to view a more in-depth breakdown.
Identify and Clear Space: In the “iCloud Storage” window, you will see the apps and files that take up the most storage. You can click on any given app to delete the saved information. It’s a good idea to go through all the apps listed to see which ones have saved information that you can clear out.

How to Remove Files From the Trash

Clearing out files from the trash can also help free up iCloud storage space:

Open Photos App: Open the “Photos” app on your Mac.
Access Recently Deleted Photos: Click on “Recently Deleted” from the list on the left.
Delete Photos: Enter your password or scan your finger using Touch ID to access the folder. Click “Delete All” in the top-right corner and confirm the removal of all the selected photos.

How to Remove iCloud Functionality for Certain Apps

Deactivating iCloud sync for certain apps can significantly free up space:

Toggle Off Apps: In the iCloud menu on your Mac, there is a list of apps you can toggle on or off. These are the apps that are preset to sync between all of your devices. Turning off apps like “Photos” can save a lot of space, especially if you have a device with ample storage.
- Photos: Toggle off “Photos” in your iCloud settings. You will receive a pop-up asking if you would like to download a copy of your photo library to your internal storage. Select “Download” as the photos will remain on iCloud if you choose to delete them from your MacBook.
- Other Apps: Click on “iCloud Drive” in the iCloud settings, then select “Options” to see a list of apps that save information on iCloud Drive. Untick the box to the left of any app you want to deactivate.
- Desktop & Documents Folders: Turning off desktop sync will also save space. Untick the “Desktop & Documents Folders” box.

How to Stop iCloud Backups

Stopping iCloud backups can also help manage your storage:

Access iCloud Backup Settings: Open the Settings app, click on your Apple ID, then select “iCloud.”
Manage Backups: Tap on “iCloud Backup” under the “Apps Using iCloud” section. Toggle off iCloud backup to stop automatic backups of data such as photos, videos, account information, documents, and apps.
Remove Old Backups: If you have older devices that no longer need backups, go to “Manage Storage,” then “Backups,” and delete the backups for those devices.

Alternative Methods to Save Space on iCloud Drive

Besides the above methods, here are some additional tips to save space on iCloud Drive:

Review and Delete Files: Log in to iCloud via your browser to manage your files and documents across all devices. Scour through your files and delete any unnecessary documents and data.
Use External Storage: Consider using external storage solutions for files that you don’t need to access frequently, thus reducing the load on your iCloud storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I turn off iCloud backup?

Turning off iCloud backup stops your device from automatically backing up data such as photos, videos, account information, documents, and apps. This will prevent notifications about failed iCloud backups but means you will need to find alternative backup methods.

How do I manage notifications for iCloud storage?

To manage notifications for iCloud storage, go to Settings, tap on your Apple ID, select iCloud, then tap on “Manage Storage.” Under “Free Up Space,” toggle off the switch for notifications. This will silence storage warnings.

Can I disable all iCloud notifications?

Yes, you can disable all iCloud notifications. Go to Settings, tap on Notifications, scroll down and tap on iCloud, then toggle off the switch next to “Allow Notifications.” This disables all notifications for iCloud features.