At a time where even 500GB of storage does not seem enough (especially with the introduction of the new storage-hogging ProRes format), a meager 5GB of free cloud storage is nothing but negligible for most. Especially when you want to upgrade your iPhone and wish to move all your important personal data to the new iDevice, the lack of enough cloud storage dampens the excitement. Keeping this harsh reality in mind, Apple now offers a viable proposition that allows you to get free unlimited (but also temporary) iCloud storage on your iPhone and iPad. So, whether you are planning to buy a new iPhone or want to restore your device from an iCloud backup, let me show you how to get temporary iCloud storage for free.
Before getting started, there are some key points you need to keep in mind. So, make sure to get them out of the way first and then move on to the steps for how you can get free temporary iCloud storage.
- Requirements to Get Free Temporary iCloud Storage in iOS 15How Much Time You Get to Restore Your iCloud BackupHow Long Will Apple Keep Your Temporary iCloud Storage After You Restore the Backup?How to Create a Temporary iCloud Backup of Your iPhone or iPadHow to Restore Your iPhone or iPad from a Temporary iCloud Backup
Requirements to Get Free Temporary iCloud Storage in iOS 15
Let me start by saying that everyone is eligible for unlimited temporary iCloud storage provided they do not have enough iCloud storage to back up their current iPhone or iPad. That means if you have bought a new iPhone 13 and do not have enough iCloud storage to back up your iPhone 12 or previous-gen model, you are eligible to get the temporary iCloud storage. Right from the moment you enroll your account for the free storage, iCloud will start backing up apps/ data and automatically keeps them updated until you restore the backup on the new device.
Not to mention, there are a few people (especially in developing countries) who still do not own a computer. And they rely on their mobile devices to get everything done. On the flip side, very few enjoy plugging their thousand-dollar device into their computer every single time they want to back or restore data. I would appreciate it if Apple made this feature more flexible, offering free temporary iCloud storage when restoring your device in critical situations.
Your free iCloud backup storage will expire within 21 days of starting your iCloud backup. In case you are unable to restore the backup or your new iDevice fails to arrive within the stipulated 21 days, you can get additional 21 days to restore the temporary iCloud backup. To do so, you will need to head into the Settings app on your current iPhone or iPad and select the Keep My Backup Longer option.
Once you have restored your temporary iCloud backup to your new iPhone or iPad, your backup will be available for another 7 days. After the backup expires, Apple will permanently delete it.
How to Create a Temporary iCloud Backup of Your iPhone or iPad
Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad and move to General.
Now, scroll down to the bottom and select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Under the Prepare for New iPhone heading, tap the Get Started button.
If iCloud backup is disabled on your iOS 15 or iPadOS 15 devices, tap “Turn On Backup to Transfer”. If you do not have sufficient iCloud storage, you should see a message saying, “You’re eligible for as much free iCloud storage as you need to move apps and data to your new iPhone or iPad”. Tap Continue.
Finally, tap Done to confirm. Now, iCloud will back up your data and keep it updated until you restore the backup. You can check the status of your iCloud backup right below your profile in the Settings app.
How to Restore Your iPhone or iPad from a Temporary iCloud Backup
Restoring an iPhone or iPad running iOS 15 from the temporary iCloud backup is just as straightforward. While setting up the iPhone, iOS 15 offers you the option to restore the device from iCloud backup. Choose your most recent backup, and you are good to go!
- Next, sign in to iCloud using your Apple ID and password. After that, select the most recent iCloud backup and wait until the data restore is complete.
