Cloud Drive iPhone vs iCloud and Dropbox Alternatives

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If you're looking for alternatives to iCloud and Dropbox, you're in luck - there are many great options out there.

Google Drive is a popular choice, offering 15GB of free storage and seamless integration with Google Docs and Sheets.

Microsoft OneDrive is another great option, offering 5GB of free storage and integration with Microsoft Office Online.

pCloud is a cloud drive that offers 10GB of free storage and a unique "pCloud Crypto" feature for secure file sharing.

Worth a look: Free Cloud Databases

Cloud Drive Options

If you own an eligible Apple device, you can use Apple iCloud for small iPhone/iPad backups. It's a convenient option, especially for personal file backups.

You can automatically back up your photos for the last 30 days via your Photo Stream. All iOS users have 5GB of free storage with the option to purchase more from Apple.

If you don't see the iCloud Drive icon on your home screen, simply open the App Store and search for iCloud Drive.

A different take: Apple Cloud Drive

Credit: youtube.com, iCloud EXPLAINED! Here's what you need to know!

To use Google Drive for cloud backups, you'll need to follow these steps:

  1. Open Google Drive.
  2. Tap the hamburger menu in the upper-left corner.
  3. Go to Settings.
  4. Close the menu.
  5. Select Backup.
  6. Turn on the Back up to Google Photos toggle switch.
  7. Choose an upload quality option.

You can choose between High-quality and Original upload options, but keep in mind that Original may consume more storage if you regularly shoot videos in 4K resolution.

Organize Files into Groups and Use Different Services

Organize your files into groups to make the most of free cloud storage. Start by breaking your files down into categories, such as photos, videos, documents, and work-related files.

Splitting your files into groups can save you money on cloud storage. Most cloud storage services offer limited free space, hoping you'll upgrade to a paid plan when you run out.

You can create separate free cloud storage accounts for each group. This way, you can keep your files organized and make the most of the free space available.

The best free cloud storage apps can be accessed from your desktop or laptop through an app or web browser.

Here's an interesting read: Free Cloud Drive

For Small Backups

Credit: youtube.com, How to Free Up iCloud Storage (& Never Worry About It Again)

For Small Backups, Apple iCloud is a viable option. It's free to use if you own an eligible Apple device, with 5GB of free storage available.

If you have an iPhone or iPad, iCloud can automatically back up photos for the last 30 days via your Photo Stream. You can access this feature by searching for iCloud Drive in the App Store.

All iOS users have the option to purchase more storage from Apple if needed.

Setup and Configuration

To get started with your cloud drive setup on your iPhone, you'll want to open Google Drive and tap the hamburger menu in the upper-left corner. This will give you access to the Settings menu.

From there, you can select Backup, then Photos & videos, and turn on the Back up to Google Photos toggle switch. Choose an upload quality option, such as High-quality for excellent visual quality uploads at reduced file size, or Original for a full-resolution media upload.

Credit: youtube.com, How to use iCloud - Complete Beginner's Guide

You can also use this menu to upload your device and iCloud contacts to Google Contacts, and sync calendar events to Google Calendar. Google Drive will start the media upload in the background, so make sure your iPhone is connected to a high-speed Wi-Fi network for a flawless upload process.

Broaden your view: Contacts in Google Drive

Install

To install and set up your cloud storage, you'll want to start by downloading the necessary apps. For Google Drive, you can find it in the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.

To download Google Drive, launch the App Store on your iPhone, search for Google Drive, and install the app. You can also download the app for iPad from the App Store.

Once you've installed Google Drive, open the app and log in with your primary Google account details. It may take a few minutes for everything to appear, depending on how much you have in your Google Drive and the speed of your internet connection.

Discover more: Google Drive for Ipad

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If you prefer to use iCloud, you can find it in the App Store as well. Open the App Store, search for iCloud Drive, and install the app.

You'll also want to note that iCloud has some limitations, such as being unsuitable for sharing or collaboration. However, it's a great option for backing up personal files and photos.

On a similar theme: Blackmagic Cloud Store

Enable Photo and Video Backups

To enable photo and video backups, you can use Apple iCloud or Google Drive. Apple iCloud offers 5GB of free storage, but it's limited to personal use and can't be shared or collaborated on.

If you have an iPhone or iPad, Apple iCloud can automatically back up your photos for the last 30 days via your Photo Stream.

Google Drive, on the other hand, allows you to activate media backup and upload your photos and videos to the Google Photos platform. To do this, open Google Drive, tap the hamburger menu, and select Settings.

Credit: youtube.com, How To Automatically Backup Photos To Google Photos (Auto Upload Photos)

From there, go to Backup and select Photos & videos. Turn on the Back up to Google Photos toggle switch and choose an upload quality option: High-quality for excellent visual quality or Original for full-resolution media upload.

Here's a quick comparison of the two services:

For a seamless background upload process, connect your iPhone to a high-speed Wi-Fi network.

Comparison and Switching

iCloud and Google Drive both have easy-to-use interfaces, but they cater to different operating systems. The iCloud app can only be used on Apple-based devices, while Google Drive has software for desktop computers and a Chrome extension.

Non-Apple customers can use the web-based version of iCloud, but it's glitchy on mobile browsers. Google Drive may be easier to use for Android or Windows-based devices. Over 28 percent of Apple users still use iCloud services due to its convenience.

Switching from iCloud to Google Drive is a straightforward process. You'll need to download your data from iCloud, which can be done by signing in to iCloud.com and navigating to iCloud Drive.

Here's an interesting read: How to Operate Google Drive

How to Switch from iCloud

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Switching from iCloud to Google Drive is a straightforward process. First, you'll need to download your data from iCloud. To do this, sign in to iCloud.com and navigate to iCloud Drive. From there, you can select the files or folders you wish to move, then click the download button to save them to your local device.

The time it takes to upload your files will depend on your internet speed and the size of the files. Once your files are downloaded, head over to Google Drive and sign in to your Google account. After that, click on the "+ New" button on the left, then choose either 'File upload' or 'Folder upload' depending on your need.

Locate the files or folders you've just downloaded from iCloud, and upload them to Google Drive. Make sure to verify that all files have been successfully transferred before you delete them from iCloud.

Is It Better?

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iCloud has over 850 million users, but Google Drive has over one billion users worldwide.

If you're an iPhone user, iCloud automatically backs up your information in the background, making it incredibly convenient.

iCloud gives registered users 5GB of free storage space, while Google Drive offers up to 15GB of free storage.

Google Drive's greater amount of free storage is three times the amount offered by Apple's iCloud.

Monthly subscribers can utilize up to 30TB of storage with Google Drive, while iCloud's top-tier plan offers up to 2TB of storage.

Google Drive works with a greater amount of platforms, including iOS, Windows, and Android, making it a more versatile option.

Switch to?

If you're considering switching from Google Drive to iCloud, you should know that both systems have easy-to-use interfaces, but iCloud has a mobile application that can only be used on Apple-based devices.

iCloud offers automatic backups for iPhone users, which is a convenient feature, but if you're using an Android or Windows-based device, Google Drive may be easier to use.

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Non-Apple users are limited to the web-based version of iCloud, which can be glitchy on mobile browsers, so a desktop computer would be a better option.

Google Drive, on the other hand, offers a greater amount of free storage, with up to 15GB available to registered users, which is three times the amount offered by iCloud.

If you're an iPhone user, you can back up your iPhone to Google Drive, but you'll need to do it manually, whereas iCloud does it automatically.

Switching from iCloud to Google Drive is a straightforward process, and you can start by downloading your data from iCloud and then uploading it to Google Drive.

The time it takes to upload your files will depend on your internet speed and the size of the files, so be patient and make sure to verify that all files have been successfully transferred before you delete them from iCloud.

Google Drive works with a greater amount of platforms, including iOS, Windows, and Android, making it a more versatile option.

Features and Security

Credit: youtube.com, iCloud EXPLAINED! Here's what you need to know!

All three major cloud storage platforms, Google Drive, iCloud, and OneDrive, offer robust security features. Google Drive uses HTTPS for all services, two-factor authentication, and SSL encryption, but lags behind with 128-bit AES encryption for data at rest.

Google Drive's security features include HTTPS, two-factor authentication, and SSL encryption. iCloud, on the other hand, uses SSL encryption, security tokens for enhanced authentication, and two-factor authentication. It also uses iCloud keychain, which provides 256-bit encryption for passwords and other sensitive data.

OneDrive takes it a step further with TLS encryption during transit, HTTPS, network protection, application security, and content protection using a unique AES256 key. It also offers a Personal vault for enhanced protection.

Mega Offers Free Storage and Encryption

Mega provides a generous 50GB of free storage, which is a great starting point for anyone looking for a secure cloud storage option.

With Mega, you can share files with your contacts and even see their updates in real time, making it easy to collaborate with others.

Credit: youtube.com, MEGA Cloud Storage Review - Most Secure?

However, be careful not to lose your password, as Mega will not be able to reset it, and you'll lose access to your files.

If you need more storage, Mega offers plans starting with Pro Lite, which gives you 200GB of storage for $5 per month.

Here's a comparison of Mega's storage plans:

Use Files When Offline

If you plan to travel to areas with limited network connectivity, make your important Google Drive files available when you're offline. This is especially useful if you have a lot of files to download.

You should give yourself time for the files to download to your phone, and also ensure you have enough physical storage space on your iPhone for your Google Drive offline files.

To make files available offline, open Google Drive and select a folder. Tap the three-dot menu beside a file and select Make available offline.

A small checkmark under the file name confirms the offline status. You can also check all such files in a single place by tapping the hamburger menu and selecting Offline.

Credit: youtube.com, How To Access OneDrive Files Offline

Here's a step-by-step guide to making files available offline:

  1. Open Google Drive and select a folder.
  2. Tap the three-dot menu beside a file and select Make available offline.
  3. A small checkmark under the file name confirms the offline status.
  4. Tap the hamburger menu and select Offline to check all such files in a single place.

You can also star relevant files and access them from the Starred tab, making it easy to find and access your most important files even when you're offline.

Security

Security is a top concern for anyone considering cloud storage options. Google Drive provides HTTPS for all services, two-factor authentication, and SSL encryption.

Google Drive uses 128-bit AES encryption for data at rest, which is a bit weaker than some of its competitors. On the other hand, OneDrive offers 256-bit AES encryption for data at rest, making it a more secure option.

OneDrive also provides TLS encryption during transit, directing users to HTTPS. It also offers network protection, application security, and content protection with a unique AES256 key.

Here's a comparison of the security features of Google Drive, OneDrive, and iCloud:

Both Google Drive and iCloud offer robust security features, including two-factor authentication and AES encryption. iCloud even uses a more secure encryption method, TLS 1.2, for its sessions.

Integrations

Credit: youtube.com, Integration Architecture: Security

Integrations are a crucial aspect of cloud storage services, allowing you to seamlessly connect with other apps and platforms.

OneDrive stands out for its ability to integrate with Microsoft Office apps, providing a comprehensive ecosystem for productivity.

Google Drive, on the other hand, offers a wide range of third-party integrations, making it a great choice for those who use a variety of apps.

iCloud, however, is limited to integrating with Apple products, which can be a drawback for those who use non-Apple devices.

The table below highlights the differences in integrations among the three services:

iCloud's exclusive integration with Apple products means it's not compatible with Android devices, which may be a limitation for some users.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access my iPhone cloud drive?

To access your iPhone cloud drive, go to the Files app and tap Browse, then select iCloud Drive from the Locations list. From there, you can view and manage your cloud storage.

What is cloud drive in iPhone?

iCloud is a cloud drive that stores your data, such as photos, files, and passwords, making it accessible on any device you choose. This allows your data to stay up-to-date across all devices, giving you a seamless experience.

Should iCloud Drive be on on my iPhone?

Enabling iCloud Drive on your iPhone allows seamless synchronization across devices, but consider the potential loss of features and storage if you disable it

Judith Lang

Senior Assigning Editor

Judith Lang is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a passion for curating engaging content for readers. With a keen eye for detail, she has successfully managed a wide range of article categories, from technology and software to education and career development. Judith's expertise lies in assigning and editing articles that cater to the needs of modern professionals, providing them with valuable insights and knowledge to stay ahead in their fields.

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