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Paradigm: Erik Eckel

Seasoned Mac users are likely familiar with iCloud Drive, Apple's cloud-based file storage characteristic that enables storing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, photos, audio recordings, videos and other files. Users less familiar with Macs, iCloud and Apple IDs might savor learning that iCloud besides permits file sharing and moving files amidst multiple devices, including iPads, iPhones and Macs. Users only need to log in using their Apple ID on a corresponding device and enable iCloud Drive.

SEE: Hiring Kit: Cloud Engineer (TechRepublic Premium)

Here's a quick walk-through for those new to Macs or unfamiliar with iCloud Drive.

iCloud requires an Apple ID

Before you lot tin can log in to and use iCloud Bulldoze to store files in the cloud and motion files betwixt Macs, y'all demand an Apple ID, a unique account created with Apple that enables integrated operation of Apple'southward App Store, iTunes Store, iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime and more than on a Mac, as well every bit iPhones and iPads. Apple tree IDs are free.

1 quick recommendation: Once you create an Apple ID, be certain to implement 2-factor authentication to assistance go along the account secure.

Enabling iCloud on a Mac

In one case y'all have an Apple tree ID, enabling iCloud Drive performance on a Mac is straightforward. Open up System Preferences either from the Mac's Dock or by opening Finder, selecting Applications from the left-pane Favorites menu, and double-clicking System Preferences. Next, select Apple tree ID and enter your Apple tree ID credentials. One time y'all've logged in to your Apple ID, check the iCloud Drive box (Figure A) to enable iCloud Drive on the Mac.

Figure A

Apple provides a checkbox for enabling iCloud Drive on a Mac.
Apple tree provides a checkbox for enabling iCloud Drive on a Mac.

With iCloud Bulldoze enabled, users tin can access files stored inside the cloud via Finder. The iCloud Drive option appears within Finder's left-pane navigation window.

Using Finder, files can exist shared and migrated between Macs by dragging the files from an one-time Mac into the iCloud Drive directory, enabling iCloud Drive on the new Mac, and configuring iCloud Drive to leverage the user'south same Apple tree ID on the new Mac. If a user unremarkably stores files directly inside the iCloud Drive directory, on the new Mac, a user just needs to associate the user'south Apple ID with the new Mac, then enable iCloud Drive on the new Mac and the files volition appear within the iCloud directory in Finder.

Alternatively, users may cull to simply associate certain files and applications with iCloud. With iCloud Drive open inside System Preferences, clicking the Options button opens the iCloud Drive options window, from which specific applications and services tin can be enabled (by checking the corresponding box) or disabled (past deselecting the corresponding box). Select the choices you lot wish to use, and so click the Done button when you're finished. Notation, selecting the Desktop & Documents Folders iCloud Drive option (Figure B), permits expediently sharing all files and folders stored within a Mac's Desktop and Documents folders with the iCloud Drive, which speeds accessing those files using iCloud Bulldoze on another Mac.

Figure B

Checking the Desktop & Documents Folders iCloud Drive option assists sharing files between Macs using iCloud Drive.
Checking the Desktop & Documents Folders iCloud Drive option assists sharing files between Macs using iCloud Drive.

More iCloud information including pricing details

In the event a Mac user wishes to access iCloud Drive files using an iPhone, iPad or Windows system, the file sharing process should be equally quick and easy; Apple maintains iPad and iPhone instructions and Windows arrangement steps on its website. Any files created or edited by an iPad, iPhone or Windows arrangement that are stored within iCloud become available to a new Mac, once mated to the iCloud account, including for purposes of migrating files to the new organization.

The same is true for iCloud Bulldoze photos and other images. Files stored within iCloud Drive, whether those files are photos, documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDFs, utilities, backups or other content as noted earlier, can exist shared between Macs using iCloud Bulldoze.

iCloud Drive is a fourth dimension-saving feature that simplifies file migration between multiple devices, while also adding cloud-based backup assurance. If a Mac's hard drive fails, for instance, files stored using iCloud Drive will exist available on the replacement organization, once mated to the respective Apple ID business relationship. This data recovery feature alone typically justifies the service's expense. With 5GB of free storage, and 50GB of additional storage space available for simply 99 cents a month, iCloud offers compelling cloud services value that eases daily computer tasks, while likewise simplifying the burdens of sharing and migrating files betwixt Macs and even when deploying new systems. Demand even more file storage space using iCloud Bulldoze? That'south no trouble, as Apple offers 200GB of storage for just $2.99 a month and 2TB for $9.99 a month.