How to sign up for iCloud

You sign up for iCloud on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch or your Mac or PC. When you use iCloud on all your devices and sign in with the same Apple ID, all your apps, documents, photos, email, contacts, messages, and more syncs across devices. So information is available no matter what device you’re using!

The Basics of iCloud

• You need an Apple ID to set-up an iCloud account. Either use a current Apple ID, create a new Apple ID in advance, or tap the link in Setup Assistant to get a new Apple ID.
• With iCloud, you get 5GB of free storage to use for photos, videos, documents, app data, and so forth. Upgrade to a larger storage plan when you need more space. Plans start at 50GB for USD $0.99/month
  • Check your country’s pricing at this Apple site

Sign up for iCloud: iOS devices

• Make sure your device (iPhone, iPad or iPod) is running the latest iOS (or at least iOS 5)
• Then, go to Settings and turn on iCloud. If you just updated your iOS to the latest version or if you just turned on a brand new device, setup assistant helps you set up iCloud
  • If you skipped this process previously and now you want to set up iCloud, just tap Settings > Apple ID Profile > iCloud (on older iOS it’s simply Settings > iCloud)
• Toggle on automatic downloads, so you’re always up-to-date with music, apps, or books
  • Tap Settings >  iTunes & App Stores and make your selections

Sign up for iCloud: Mac

• Make sure that you have a Mac with the latest macOS (or at least OS X Lion.)
• Then turn on iCloud (System Preferences > iCloud)
• Enter your Apple ID, and select the services you’d like to enable
• Turn on automatic downloads for your music and apps. Just open iTunes and choose Preferences. Then click Downloads and choose what you want (Music, Movies, TV Shows, and Apps)
  • Even download full-size (1080p) HD movies!

Sign up for iCloud: PC

For Windows 7 and above

• Set up your iCloud account on your other iDevices & Macs FIRST, then install iCloud for Windows
  • Set-up an Apple ID account before installing iCloud for Windows
• Open iCloud for Windows and sign in with the Apple ID previously created
• Select all the iCloud services you want enabled and click Apply
• When you turn On iCloud Drive and Photos, iCloud for Windows creates new folders for those files in Windows Explorer
  • Whenever you save new files in those iCloud folders, the files also automatically appear on all your other iDevices & Macs

For Windows Vista

• You need to download and install iCloud Control Panel for Windows from here
• Set up your iCloud account on your other iDevices & Macs FIRST
  • Set-up an Apple ID account before installing iCloud Control Panel
• After you’ve installed iCloud Control Panel for Windows, navigate to the Windows Start menu, choose Control Panel > Network and Internet > iCloud
• Synchronize photos, videos, and other media. And calendar, some office documents, emails, and contacts
  • This iCloud Control Panel doesn’t include too many settings, so it’s simple to use