How to Cancel iCloud+ Storage (And Keep Your iPhone Backed Up)

Updated 2026-05-03 · 2 min read

Downgrade or cancel iCloud+ from your iPhone, Mac, or iPad. What happens to iPhone backups, shared photos, and iCloud Drive when storage drops to the free 5 GB.

Quick answer

On iPhone or iPad: Settings > your name > iCloud > Manage Account Storage > Change Storage Plan > Downgrade Options. You can downgrade to the free 5 GB or to a smaller paid plan. Files are not deleted immediately, but iPhone backups will fail once you're over the free limit.

Overview

The biggest practical consequence of canceling iCloud+ is what it does to iPhone backups. The free 5 GB fills up fast on most iPhones, especially if you have large apps or use iCloud Photos. Before you cancel, check how big your backup is. If it's over 5 GB, automatic backup will stop working right after the downgrade.

TL;DR

  • Downgrade from Settings > your name > iCloud > Manage Account Storage > Change Storage Plan
  • Free tier is 5 GB shared across iCloud Backup, Drive, Photos, and Mail
  • iPhone backups fail silently when storage is full
  • Files over 5 GB are not deleted, but new backups and uploads stop
  • Family Sharing members lose shared storage when the plan holder downgrades
  • No partial refunds

How to cancel iCloud+

Downgrade from iPhone or iPad

Best for: All iCloud+ subscribers

Estimated time: ~2 min

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud.
  3. Tap Manage Account Storage. A breakdown of storage usage by app and service appears.
  4. Tap Change Storage Plan. Available plans appear, including the free 5 GB option.
  5. Tap Downgrade Options to see the free tier or smaller paid plans.
  6. Select your chosen plan and confirm with your Apple ID password or Face ID. The plan change takes effect at the end of the current billing cycle.

Tip: Before downgrading to 5 GB, tap Manage Account Storage to see your current usage breakdown. If iCloud Backup is large, consider disabling iCloud backup for large apps you don't need backed up.

Downgrade from a Mac

Best for: Anyone who prefers managing subscriptions from macOS

Estimated time: ~2 min

  1. Click the Apple menu, then System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS).
  2. Click your Apple ID or name at the top.
  3. Click iCloud, then Manage, then Change Storage Plan.
  4. Select Downgrade Options, pick your plan, and confirm.

Frequently asked questions

Will Apple delete my files if I downgrade to 5 GB and I'm over the limit?

No. Existing files and backups are never deleted on downgrade. If you're over 5 GB, new backups, photo uploads, and Drive uploads will pause until you're back under the limit.

How do I stop iCloud+ from being charged every month?

Go to iPhone Settings > your name > iCloud > Manage Account Storage > Change Storage Plan > Downgrade Options, and select the free 5 GB plan. The change takes effect at the end of the billing cycle.

What is the difference between iCloud+ and iCloud?

iCloud is the service (sync, backup, Drive). iCloud+ is the paid storage tier. The free 5 GB is still iCloud. Any paid storage plan is called iCloud+.

Can I keep my iPhone backup on a 5 GB plan?

Only if your backup is smaller than 5 GB (minus any storage used by Mail, Drive, and Photos). Most iPhones with a few years of apps and messages will exceed 5 GB. Check your backup size at Settings > iCloud > Manage Account Storage > Backups.

What happens to iCloud Private Relay if I downgrade from 2 TB?

Private Relay is an iCloud+ exclusive feature on any paid tier. If you downgrade to the free plan, Private Relay is no longer available.

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