You can buy more iCloud storage on an iPhone or iPad by purchasing or upgrading an iCloud+ subscription in Settings. This increases your cloud storage for files, photos, and backups. It does not increase the device’s built-in capacity for installed apps and local data.
Check which storage is full before spending money. The purchase controls differ by iOS or iPadOS version and whether you already subscribe. This guide explains both the account upgrade and the separate steps for a full device.
Check Whether You Need iCloud or Device Storage
- For the device itself, open Settings > General > iPhone Storage or iPad Storage. Review the used space and the apps occupying it.
- For your cloud account, open Settings > your name > iCloud. Review its usage and open Storage or Manage Storage for details.
Apple’s device-versus-iCloud storage explanation distinguishes these two limits. Your iPhone or iPad came with a fixed amount of device storage; an iCloud subscription changes the cloud allowance. If both are full, you have two separate problems to address.
For example, a large game filling the phone or tablet is a device-storage issue. An iCloud backup that cannot fit in the account is a cloud-storage issue. A larger cloud plan can help with the second problem without creating extra local room for the game.
Buy or Upgrade iCloud+ on iPhone or iPad
Open Settings and tap your name. Use the matching route in this table, then choose a plan and follow the purchase prompts. Apple documents these paths in its iCloud+ purchase guide.
| Version and subscription | Route after tapping your name |
|---|---|
| iOS / iPadOS 27 or later, new subscription | iCloud > Storage (or Almost Full) > Get More Storage |
| iOS / iPadOS 27 or later, existing subscription | iCloud > Manage Plan under iCloud+ Features |
| iOS / iPadOS 18.4 through 26, new subscription | iCloud > Upgrade to iCloud+ |
| iOS / iPadOS 18.4 through 26, existing subscription | Subscriptions > iCloud+ |
| iOS / iPadOS 18 through 18.3 | iCloud > Manage Plan |
| iOS / iPadOS 17 or earlier | iCloud > Manage Account Storage > Change Storage Plan |
On an iPhone with iOS 18.4 through 26 and an existing subscription, tap See All Plans after selecting iCloud+ under Subscriptions. If you do not know your version, check Settings > General > About before choosing a route.
On the plan screen, review the storage allowance and recurring price before confirming. Check that you are using the Apple Account whose storage you intend to expand. Complete any authentication requested by Apple, then return to iCloud settings to verify the account’s new allowance.
If your screen differs, use the version-specific Apple guide above rather than selecting an unrelated control. A missing menu is a reason to check the instructions, not proof that you need a different device.
Choose a Plan Without Buying Unnecessary Space
Apple offers 50 GB, 200 GB, 2 TB, 6 TB, and 12 TB iCloud+ plans. Check the current plans and regional pricing and the amount shown on your purchase screen. This is a recurring subscription, rather than a one-time hardware upgrade.
Compare the account’s current use with the total allowance you are considering. For example, moving from a 50 GB plan to a 200 GB plan means a 200 GB allowance, not an additional 200 GB on top of 50 GB. Leave room for expected growth instead of choosing only by the largest advertised number.
If your family already shares iCloud+, check that arrangement before adding a separate subscription. Apple’s iCloud+ overview explains sharing the plan through Family Sharing. Being in a family group and using a particular shared storage plan are things to confirm, not assume.
If the iPhone or iPad Is Still Full After the Purchase
Return to Settings > General > iPhone Storage or iPad Storage. A cloud upgrade does not change this device’s total capacity. Review the largest apps and downloaded content before choosing what to remove. Apple’s iPad storage guide explains removing unneeded downloads and offloading unused apps while retaining their data.
For either device, Apple’s device-storage instructions explain the app details screen: Offload App removes the app but keeps its documents and data; Delete App removes the app and its related data. Back up anything important before deleting. Review storage recommendations before enabling them, then recheck available space after cleanup.
If photos are the main concern, iCloud Photos with Optimize Storage can keep smaller versions on the device while preserving originals in iCloud. Read Apple’s iCloud Photos instructions for your version. Buying space alone is not the same as enabling photo syncing and optimization.
Do not delete synced photos merely to keep them “only in iCloud.” Deleting an item with iCloud Photos also deletes it across devices using that library. Keep a separate backup of anything important. Uploads and optimization depend on the library and connection, so do not assume the purchase instantly clears local space.
For other local-storage options, our iPad storage and recovery guides include transferring photos to a flash drive. Choose a method that matches the files you need to keep.
Can You Downgrade the Plan Later?
Yes. Follow Apple’s downgrade and cancellation instructions for your version. The change takes effect after the current billing period. Check your usage first: if it exceeds the new allowance, iCloud syncing and updates stop and iCloud backups cannot complete until you resolve the space shortage.
Before considering the task finished, verify the new iCloud allowance and retry the backup or syncing task that was blocked. If the original alert concerns the iPhone or iPad itself, continue with device-storage management instead.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.