How to upload files to icloud from mac

Apple’s iCloud is pretty cool really. It allows you to store music, videos, apps and more and then lets you share them wirelessly between your devices. Pretty useful, right? However, as Apple is so restricted with what it will allow, it’s useful for apps and not much else as it can’t be used as a Dropbox, to lots of people’s annoyance.

But now, there is a way to upload ANY file to iCloud, including images, audio, PDF’s and file directories. It’s not as simple as Dropbox and doesn’t work between iOS devices, but works between Mac’s and PC’s giving a handy way to share files between these devices.

How to Upload an Image to iCloud

The first step is to go to iCloud.com in the web browser of your choice (I’m using Safari) and log in using your details:

TagsiCloud

You want to share an individual file or an entire folder with other people so they can view and even edit those files collectively. If you’re using an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or the iCloud.com website, you can access and edit these documents with other Apple device owners through iCloud.

The ability to share folders requires iOS/iPadOS 13.4 or higher on your mobile device and macOS Catalina 10.15.4 or higher on your Mac. With older versions of these operating systems, you can only share individual files.

On iOS/iPadOS, go to Settings > General > Software Update. Your device will either tell you that your software is up to date or it will download the latest version of the operating system. On your Mac, click the Apple icon and select About this Mac. If the version number says 10.5.4 or higher, you’re set. If not, click the button for Software Update to install the latest version.

Share iCloud Files or a Folder on Mobile 

I've been working for PCMag since early 2016 writing tutorials, how-to pieces, and other articles on consumer technology. Beyond PCMag, I've written news stories and tutorials for a variety of other websites and publications, including CNET, ZDNet, TechRepublic, Macworld, Popular Science, Time, Fortune, US News & World Report, and AARP Magazine. I spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET as one of the site’s East Coast reporters. I've also written two books for Wiley & Sons—Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time and Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.

You can upload documents and all kinds of files from Mac or PC to iCloud Drive and access them on any device in your iCloud Account. You will find below the steps to Upload Files to iCloud Drive.

Upload Files to iCloud Drive

As mentioned above, you can use Apple’s iCloud Drive to upload and store any kind of files, including images, videos, documents, spreadsheets and presentation files.

Once files are uploaded to iCloud Drive, they can be accessed across multiple devices from anywhere in the world and easily shared with others.

While Apple starts users with 5 GB of Free iCloud Drive storage, this space is only good enough for storing Automated iCloud Backups  and some photos.

In order to make the best use of iCloud Drive, you need to think of upgrading to a Paid iCloud Account.

You can upgrade to 50 GB iCloud Storage for as little as $0.99/month and go up the scale to 200 GB for $2.99/month and 2 TB for $9.99/month.

If you change your mind, you can downgrade to a lower option or even go back to the Free 5 GB option at any time.

1. iCloud Drive Structure

The structure of iCloud Drive is pretty bare bones and really simple to understand. You are basically looking at 4 main icons that do their job perfectly well.

As you can see in the image above, the Folder shaped icon (1) allows you to create folders. The two Cloud shaped icons (2 and 3) allow you to Upload and Download Files while the Trash bin icon (4) helps you delete files and folders.

2. Login to iCloud Drive

You can Login to iCloud Drive from your Mac or PC, as long as it is connected to the internet.

1. Visit iCloud.com on your Mac or Windows computer

2. Login to your iCloud Account by entering your Apple ID and password.

3. Once you are logged in, click on the iCloud Drive icon to access your iCloud Drive space.

4. If you are logging into iCloud Drive for the first time, you may find it empty with no files and folders.

If you login from Mac, you my find empty Documents, Desktop, Downloads and other folders.

3. Create Folders On iCloud Drive

While you can start uploading files to iCloud Drive by clicking on the Cloud shaped upload icon, it is  better to keep your files your iCloud Drive space organized by creating folders for different type of files.

1. Click on the Folder icon and it will immediately create an untitled Blank Folder.

2. Type a descriptive Name for the Folder.

Once the Folder is created, you can get access into the folder by double-clicking on it.

4. Upload Files to iCloud Drive

Now that you have created a Folder on iCloud and given it a proper name, you can start uploading files to this folder by following the steps below.

1. Double-click on the Folder to which you want to add Files.

2. Once you are in the Folder, click on the upload Cloud icon.

3. On the next screen, navigate to the Location of the File that you want to upload > select the File and click on Choose.

If the File is small, it will immediately show up on iCloud Drive. If you are uploading a large file, you will see it uploading to iCloud Drive.

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