iCloud Guide: Everything you need to know about the Apple Cloud

2 October 2023
iCloud Guide: Everything you need to know about the Apple Cloud

What Google Drive is for Android owners or OneDrive for Microsoft users, iCloud is for Apple users. But what is iCloud actually? And how expensive is the service anyway? You can find the answers in this article.

What is iCloud?

Unlike Google Drive or OneDrive, iCloud is more of a synchronisation service with cloud storage attached. Since its launch in 2011, around one billion people have been using Apple’s cloud service. 

What does iCloud store?

Since its launch, the range of functions has been steadily expanded. Not only does iCloud store the backups of your iPhone as well as documents and other files, but it also synchronises settings, messages and much more. The following table gives an overview of the range of functions:

FeaturesDescription
Backup & RestoreiCloud makes a backup of all iOS and iPadOS devices when they are powered and connected to a Wi-Fi network. If you have a new iPhone or iPad, you can back it up and pick up where you left off.
E-mailEmail addresses ending in @icloud.com are also part of iCloud. 
Find MyThe Find My app can be used to locate other Apple devices, items tracked with AirTag and – with consent – friends and family members.
Shared Photo LibraryThe shared photo library allows you to share selected photos with up to 5 people, using iCloud storage space only once. So the pictures from the family party can be shared with everyone without using their iCloud storage space.
KeychainKeychain is Apple’s password manager and stores your passwords and credentials and makes them available to you on all other devices.
iTunes MatchThose who own a lot of CDs and music files outside the Apple Music app (formerly iTunes) can store them in the iCloud with iTunes Match and thus access them from other devices.Important: iTunes Match costs CHF 35 per year. Find out how to subscribe here.
iWork iWork is Apple’s alternative for Microsoft’s office suite. iWork documents can be edited on iCloud.com, online changes are synchronised with the normal iWork apps.
iCloud PhotosWhen activated, your photos are stored in the cloud and can be viewed on iCloud.com and other Apple devices.
NewsYour iMessages and SMS are stored in the cloud
Apple IDAll purchased digital media (e.g. apps, books, movies, etc.) are linked to your Apple ID and are part of iCloud.
iCloud DriveiCloud Drive comes closest to Google Drive, OneNote or Dropbox. Here you get up to 2 TB of storage space for your data – even non-Apple files.
Contacts, Notes Reminders, Safari & CalendarYour contacts, notes, bookmarks, reminders and calendar entries are synced across devices with iCloud.
Hide My Email(iCloud+ subscribers only) This feature allows you to create temporary email addresses in Safari and Mail (for example, to register on untrusted sites). Emails to this address will be forwarded to your real email address. 
Own e-mail domain(iCloud+ subscribers only) Instead of an @icloud.com address, this feature allows you to run your own email domain through iCloud and add family members to that domain
Private Relay(iCloud+ subscribers only) With iCloud Private Relay, your internet activities are hidden from website operators and mobile carriers, similar to a VPN.
Homekit Secure VideoHomeKit Secure Video stores the video streams of your surveillance cameras in the iCloud – encrypted and therefore secure. The videos are not counted towards your storage and can be watched from (almost) any Apple device.Important: The Smart Home cameras must support Apple HomeKit in order to use this feature.

What is the difference between iCloud vs iCloud+?

If this is your first iPhone, you should create an iCloud account first. Every iCloud account comes with 5GB of free storage, which you can use however you like. However, this 5GB is usually not enough, which is why many people choose to upgrade their storage so they can continue to store photos, backups, emails and more in the cloud. Once you pay for more storage, you automatically have iCloud+ and can enjoy the iCloud+ features.

iCloud costs: How much does iCloud cost per month?

The basic version of iCloud is free. You can find out how much additional storage space costs in the table below.

 iCloudiCloud+
Costsfree of chargeCHF 1.-CHF 3.-CHF 10.-
Storage space5 GB50 GB200 GB2 TB
Private Relay✔️✔️✔️
Hide My Email✔️✔️✔️
Family release✔️✔️✔️
HomeKit Secure Video15unlimited

iCloud under Windows: Is that possible?

Few Windows users are likely to be interested in creating an iCloud account if they do not own any Apple devices. However, those who use both Apple and Windows devices – for example at work – can use iCloud under Windows. The app can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store.

Once installed, you can now sync photos, videos, emails (with Outlook), passwords (Chrome or Edge) and bookmarks (Chrome or Firefox) there. With iCloud Drive, you can open your files and folders directly in Windows Explorer, save them and share them with friends.

More iCloud tips

Set up two-factor authentication

Your iCloud account is yours and is sure to contain photos, documents or other sensitive files. Protect your account with another layer of security by turning on two-factor authentication (2FA). You can find the option in iPhone Settings > Apple ID > Password & Security.

Activate “Find My?” 

Locate your Apple devices with Where Is? This is especially useful if your iPhone or other Apple device is lost or stolen. If you’ve enabled Where’s in Settings > Apple ID > Where’s, you can also see the current location of your Apple device in the browser on iCloud.com.

Share your plan with family and friends

Many families and couples pay double and triple for iCloud. Your iCloud storage plan can be easily shared with others. All files and documents remain private and are not automatically shared.

Conclusion: Powerful but not perfect cloud

An iCloud account is mandatory for every Apple user, if only because of the backup and localisation function. The fact that you have to pay at least CHF 1 for more features is annoying, but worth the price. The temporary email addresses in particular are a very helpful thing in the fight against spam. 

By the way, you can find more information about Apple’s services on our overview page.

Your next mobile phone subscription is already waiting for you

alao is your happy place for mobile phone subscriptions. With ultra-fast customer service, exclusive subscriptions at unbeatable prices and lots of extras, plus a switching service, you don’t have to worry about cancelling anything. In less than 5 minutes, you can sign up for your next mobile phone subscription directly with alao! This article was published on 2 October 2023 and updated on 25 November 2024.

64’655 customers changed with
Compare Plans
Like the article? Spread the word
Special offers
Europe Max -3%
Salt
(72)
Network from Salt
Unlimited roaming data in EU
Unlimited calls in the respective country
Unlimited calls from EU to CH
Free activation CHF 59.95 CHF 0.-

alao customer service for free

CHF 82.95
top europe
yallo
(49)
Network from Sunrise
Unlimited roaming data in EU
Free activation CHF 59.- CHF 0.-

Unlimited Roaming in Europe, USA and Canada

alao customer service for free

CHF 99
superfat XXL
yallo
(49)
Network from Sunrise
Unlimited roaming data in EU
Unlimited calls in CH and to EU
Unlimited calls in the respective country
Unlimited calls from EU to CH
Free activation CHF 59.- CHF 0.-

alao customer service for free

Unlimited Roaming in Europe, USA and Canada

CHF 129
Swiss Max -4%
Salt
(72)
Network from Salt
1 GB/mth. roaming data in EU
Free activation CHF 59.95 CHF 0.-

alao customer service for free

CHF 71.95
fat plus -3%
yallo
(49)
Network from Sunrise
3 GB/mth. roaming data in EU
Unlimited calls in CH + 100 min./mth. to EU
300 min./mth. calls in the respective country
Free activation CHF 59.- CHF 0.-

alao customer service for free

CHF 79
Similar posts
What is VoLTE calls? Advantages, disadvantages & functions at a glance

The way we make mobile calls has evolved significantly in recent years. One of the most important developments in this area is VoLTE (Voice over […]

26 March 2025
Read article
Fiber Optic Availability: How to Check Your Connection

Fiber optics are the future of the internet. In Switzerland, currently about 50% of all households are connected to the fiber optic network. Compared to […]

12 March 2025
Read article
Unlimited Mobile Subscription Worldwide: The Best Options for Frequent Travelers

Traveling while enjoying unlimited browsing and calls is essential for many frequent travelers. A mobile subscription with unlimited global coverage provides exactly that: unrestricted calls, […]

11 March 2025
Read article