Unexpected iCloud storage usage on iPad mini 5 and iPhone SE

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Level 1

29 points

Unexpected iCloud storage usage on iPad mini 5 and iPhone SE

I have an iPad Mini 5 and an iPhone SE. Several weeks ago, I started getting messages about my free storage being almost full, 4.42/5 GB. What I can't figure out is where this has come from all of a sudden, after several years. I haven't added many apps over time, and recently have deleted several from each. And in Settings > iCloud on both devices, all the save options are disabled. So where is this 4.42 gb coming from?

In addition, and this is perhaps related, I've been getting a Sync problem notice everyday for the past week on my iPad (My iPhone is off virtually all the time except when travelling, which isn't often).

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: ICloud storage puzzle

iPad mini 5, iPadOS 26

Posted on Sep 22, 2025 9:47 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Phil0124

Level 10

216,776 points

Sep 22, 2025 10:39 AM in response to highstream

Go to Settings ➜ Account ➜ iCloud ➜ Storage and see what's using up the iCloud storage specifically.

click here ➜ Manage your iCloud storage on your Apple device - Apple Support

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Answer 2

highstream Author

Level 1

29 points

Sep 22, 2025 12:34 PM in response to Phil0124

In my OP, I wrote: "And in Settings > iCloud on both devices, all the save options are disabled." I thought that would be sufficiently clear. In addition, "iCloud Backup" is Off. There is only one photo, 38.9 KB of books and one iCloud email address that's been saved in iCloud. All the others that open show 0 KB. The only main item that's not disabled is "Access iCloud Data on the Web." Disabling that requires MFA, which I'm not interested in. In any case, that item doesn't seem relevant. Am I missing something?

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