Cancel Your Apple iCloud+ Subscription
iCloud+ is a core part of the Apple ecosystem, and its cancellation is managed through your Apple ID, a process we detail in our complete guide to cancelling Apple Subscriptions. If you need to downgrade your storage plan, this is the definitive guide.
This guide provides the exact steps to cancel your iCloud+ plan on iPhone, Mac, or Windows. We'll explain what happens to your photos, files, and backups if you're over the free 5GB limit, ensuring you can downgrade safely.
How to Cancel or Downgrade Your Apple iCloud+ Subscription
The process is done through the 'Settings' app on an Apple device, though the exact menu options can change slightly with iOS updates.
iPhone with iOS 18.4 (Latest)
- 1 Open the 'Settings' app, then tap your name.
- 2 Tap 'Subscriptions', then tap 'iCloud+' under the 'Active' section.
- 3 To cancel, tap 'Cancel Subscription'. To downgrade, tap 'See All Plans', select a new plan, and follow the on-screen instructions.
iPhone with iOS 18 to iOS 18.3
- 1 Open the 'Settings' app, then tap your name.
- 2 Tap 'iCloud', then tap 'Manage Plan' under 'iCloud+ Features'.
- 3 Tap 'Downgrade Options' and enter your Apple Account password if prompted.
- 4 Select a new, lower-tier plan (including the free 5GB plan to cancel) and tap 'Done'.
Older iOS & Online
iOS 17 and Earlier
- 1 Open the 'Settings' app, then tap your name.
- 2 Tap 'iCloud', then tap 'Manage Account Storage'.
- 3 Tap 'Downgrade Options' and enter your Apple Account password if prompted.
- 4 Choose a new plan (including the free 5GB plan to cancel) and tap 'Done'.
Online (Without an Apple Device)
- 1 If you no longer have an Apple device, you can manage your subscription online.
- 2 Visit the iCloud website or Apple's subscription management page and sign in with your Apple ID.
- 3 Follow the on-screen instructions to downgrade or cancel your iCloud+ plan.
Smart iCloud+ Strategies
The Apple One Bundle (The #1 Hack)
If you use other Apple services like Apple Music, Apple TV+, or Apple Arcade, bundling them into an 'Apple One' plan is by far the most cost-effective way to get iCloud+ storage. The bundle price is significantly cheaper than paying for each service individually.
The Family Sharing Value Play
All paid iCloud+ plans can be shared with up to five other family members. Each member gets their own private storage space under one bill, which is a much better deal than individual plans.
Pre-Cancellation Safety Checklist for iCloud+
Data Syncing Will Stop if You're Over Quota
CRITICAL: After you cancel, your storage will revert to the free 5GB tier. You will NOT lose existing data, but if you are over the 5GB limit, your photos will stop uploading, device backups will fail, and iCloud Drive will stop syncing.
You Lose All Privacy Features
VERY IMPORTANT: Your access to premium privacy features like Private Relay (which hides your IP address) and Hide My Email will be deactivated. Any 'Hide My Email' addresses you created will stop forwarding messages.
Download Your Data First with Apple Takeout
For absolute peace of mind, go to privacy.apple.com and use the 'Get a copy of your data' tool to download a complete archive of your iCloud Photos, Drive, and Mail before you cancel.
You MUST Cancel Through Your Apple ID
You cannot cancel on a website. You must cancel through the 'Subscriptions' menu in your iPhone/iPad Settings or via the Mac App Store. Your subscription is tied directly to your Apple ID.
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Get Free NotificationsGot Questions? We've Got Answers.
Will my photos and files be deleted if I cancel iCloud+?
No, they will not be deleted. However, if your data exceeds the free 5GB limit, syncing will stop. You won't be able to upload new photos or files, and your iPhone backups will fail until you free up space.
What happens to the email addresses I created with 'Hide My Email'?
They will stop working. Any website or app using one of those addresses will no longer be able to contact you. It's important to update your email address on those services before you cancel.
What is the difference between iCloud and iCloud+?
Every Apple ID comes with a free 5GB of iCloud storage. iCloud+ is the paid subscription that increases that storage and adds the premium privacy features like Private Relay and Hide My Email.
Can my family see my files if we share a plan?
No. When you share an iCloud+ plan, everyone gets their own private slice of the storage. No one can see your files, photos, or data unless you explicitly share it with them.
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