iCloud Drive is built into your iPhone — you open it through the Files app
iCloud Drive is Apple's cloud storage service, and it comes automatically with every iPhone. You do not need to read anything separate or create a new account. If you have an iPhone, you already have iCloud Drive access through the Files app, which is the central place where iPhone stores and organizes documents, photos, and other files.
The Files app works like a folder system on your phone. iCloud Drive appears as one location inside it, alongside other storage options like your phone's local storage and any other cloud services you have connected. When you save a document to iCloud Drive from any app, it syncs to your other Apple devices — iPad, Mac, or another iPhone — automatically.
Your iCloud account comes with 5 gigabytes of free storage. Photos, backups, and mail all count toward this limit. If you need more space, you can pay for additional storage through Apple, but the basic access costs nothing.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Files app on your iPhone home screen to see iCloud Drive as one of your storage locations.
- Any document you save to iCloud Drive from apps like Notes, Pages, or Mail syncs automatically to your iPad, Mac, and other iPhones signed into the same Apple ID.
- Your free iCloud account includes 5 gigabytes of storage, shared across iCloud Drive, photos, and device backups.
- You can upload files directly to iCloud Drive by opening the Files app, tapping Edit, and selecting files to move or copy into the iCloud Drive folder.
Opening Files app and finding iCloud Drive
The Files app is on your iPhone home screen by default. It looks like a blue folder. Tap it to open. When the app launches, you see a list of locations on the left side of the screen — these are your storage options.
Look for "iCloud Drive" in that list. Tap it. You now see the contents of your iCloud Drive — any folders or documents you have saved there. If iCloud Drive does not appear in the list, scroll down to see more options, or check that you are signed into an Apple ID in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
Once you are in iCloud Drive, you can create new folders by tapping the three dots in the top right corner and selecting "New Folder". You can also move files into iCloud Drive by dragging them from other locations in the Files app.
Saving documents directly to iCloud Drive from apps
Most Apple apps — Notes, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Reminders — let you save directly to iCloud Drive without opening the Files app first. When you create a new document in any of these apps, look for a "Save" or "Location" option in the menu.
In Notes, for example, create a new note, then tap the three dots at the top right. Select "Move" and choose which folder in iCloud Drive you want it to go to. In Pages, when you create a new document, the app asks where you want to save it — select iCloud Drive and pick a folder.
Third-party apps like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Adobe apps also support saving to iCloud Drive, though the exact steps vary. Check the app's menu or settings for a "Save to iCloud Drive" or "Save to Files" option. Once you save a document to iCloud Drive from any app, it appears in the Files app and syncs to your other devices.
Uploading files from your phone's storage to iCloud Drive
If you have files already on your iPhone that you want to move to iCloud Drive, open the Files app and navigate to "On My iPhone" or "Recents". Find the file you want to move. Press and hold it until a menu appears.
Select "Move" from the menu. Navigate to iCloud Drive and choose the folder where you want the file to go, then tap "Move". The file is now in iCloud Drive and will sync to your other devices. If you want to keep a copy on your phone as well, select "Copy" instead of "Move".
You can also select multiple files at once. Tap "Select" in the top right corner, tap each file you want to move, then tap "Move" at the bottom of the screen. This is faster if you have several files to organize at once.
Accessing iCloud Drive files on other devices
Any file you save to iCloud Drive on your iPhone appears automatically on your iPad, Mac, or other iPhone if they are signed into the same Apple ID. You do not need to do anything — the sync happens in the background.
On a Mac, open Finder and look for iCloud Drive in the sidebar. On an iPad, open the Files app just like on iPhone. On another iPhone, the same process applies. All devices show the same folder structure and the same files.
If a file does not appear on another device right away, check that both devices are connected to the internet and signed into the same Apple ID. Syncing usually takes a few seconds to a few minutes depending on file size and connection speed.
Managing storage and what counts toward your limit
Your 5 gigabytes of free iCloud storage is shared across three things: iCloud Drive documents, photos stored in iCloud Photos, and iPhone backups. If you use iCloud Photos to back up your photo library, that takes up a significant portion of your free storage.
To see how much storage you are using, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage. This screen shows you a breakdown of what is taking up space. If you are running low, you can delete old backups, remove photos from iCloud Photos, or delete files from iCloud Drive.
If you need more storage, Apple offers paid plans: 50 gigabytes, 200 gigabytes, or 2 terabytes per month. You can change your plan anytime in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Change Storage Plan. The cost varies by region.
Sharing iCloud Drive files with others
You can share a file or folder from iCloud Drive with other people, even if they do not have an Apple device. Open the Files app, navigate to the file or folder you want to share, press and hold it, and select "Share".
Choose how you want to share — you can send a link via Mail, Messages, or other apps. When you share a link, you can set whether the other person can view only or can also edit the file. They can open the shared file in a web browser or in their own apps, depending on the file type.
If you want to stop sharing a file, go back to the Files app, press and hold the file, select "Share", and choose "Remove Shared Link" or adjust the permissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I do not have internet on my iPhone?
iCloud Drive requires an internet connection to sync and upload files. If you are offline, you can still view files you have already downloaded to your phone, but new changes will not sync until you reconnect. Once you go back online, the sync happens automatically.
Can I access iCloud Drive on a Windows computer?
Yes. Visit iCloud.com in a web browser, sign in with your Apple ID, and click iCloud Drive. You can view, read, and upload files from any Windows or Mac computer. Changes you make on the web also sync to your iPhone.
Does deleting a file from iCloud Drive delete it from my other devices?
Yes. If you delete a file from iCloud Drive on your iPhone, it deletes from all your other devices too. If you delete it by accident, you may be able to recover it from your iCloud Drive trash for 30 days — check the Files app for a Trash folder.
How much does iCloud Drive cost?
The first 5 gigabytes are free. Additional storage costs money and varies by region, but typically ranges from a few dollars per month for 50 gigabytes to higher amounts for 200 gigabytes or 2 terabytes. You only pay if you choose to upgrade.
Can I use iCloud Drive offline?
You can view files you have already downloaded to your phone without internet, but you cannot upload new files or sync changes until you reconnect. iCloud Drive is designed to work best with an active internet connection.