Feb 21, 2020 iCloud Drive, part of the iCloud family of products and services, works like Google Drive or OneDrive. It's a file storing and sharing platform that you can use to create, access, and share files. I'm using iCloud drive to sync my e-books via the iBooks app. I noticed that the synced files show up in the All My Files view. I tried to find out their exact location, it seems to be iCloud Drive / iBooks (via Cmd+I) but when I try to navigate there from iCloud Drive, the iBooks folder doesn't show up, even when I turn hidden files on. ‎Access all of your documents in iCloud Drive right from the app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Features. Easily search for documents. Or browse by date, name, or tags created on your Mac. Open and edit documents right from any compatible app on your iOS device. No more making copies.

Cloud storage solution

Sep 18, 2020 Delete unwanted files in iCloud Drive from your iPad or iPhone. On your iPhone or iPad, launch the Files app. Tap 'Browse' at the bottom of the screen. In the Locations section, select. Sign in to iCloud to access your photos, videos, documents, notes, contacts, and more. Use your Apple ID or create a new account to start using Apple services.

Apple is notoriously known for keeping most of its products exclusive only to its users. This allows them to give optimum service and assure that their devices deliver unparalleled. That being said, keeping most of its products 'Apple exclusive' becomes a double-edged sword, especially for those who use their devices along with gadgets from their competitors. Luckily, the tech company is starting to expand its services to more people. This includes its cloud storage solution service, iCloud.

Best cloud storage solution for Apple devices but not for Windows

If you're accustomed to the slick interface iCloud has for Mac and iOS, you might need to adjust a little on its Windows client

It wasn't a long time ago when Microsoft announced that the iCloud will have a Windows-friendly version available on the Microsoft Store. Apple phone and tablet users who are on laptop and PC can now sync their files across all their devices using the built-in application from Apple. While this should generally be considered as good news, but don't celebrate just yet until you try it for yourself.

A collaboration with Windows

This time around, Apple decided to work with Microsoft to streamline iCloud's performance for Windows. The program is available only to Windows 10 version so you have to make sure that your operating system is up to date before you can use the application on your PC.

Using the same technology as that of OneDrive, iCloud Windows users can be more productive even if they aren't connected to the internet. Free up some space on your computer and access your iCloud Drive files right from File Explorer. Select which file or folder you want to keep on your computer and which ones you want to be stored in the cloud.

You may also store your photos, documents, videos, etc. on the drive and access them on your iOS or Mac by syncing them together. Need to access your files on someone else's laptop? Log in to your iCloud account via the web app and easily download that report you worked hard on last night. You can easily share any file straight from File Explorer and collaborate with others.

If you're accustomed to the slick interface iCloud has for Mac and iOS, you might need to adjust a little on its Windows client. While the former already has sections for applications like iCalendar you won't find it on the later version. The platform also can't identify other file types including Microsoft Office documents. Sadly, both leading tech companies are yet to come up with a mechanism to convert these files into an editable format. Needless to say, you can't just drag and drop files just as easily as you can on the Mac and iOS clients.

If all these weren't disappointing enough, you can't just activate iCloud on your PC if you haven't registered and used it on your iOS or macOS device. Yes, even if you're willing to pay for the service. The same goes for the web because it will ask you to input your AppleID instead of an iCloudID. That being said, if you are really looking for a cloud storage service app that allows you to not only keep your files across devices sync and collaborate with other people, you need to consider other options.

Where can you run this program?

Like all Apple programs, iCloud is integrated on all Apple devices. This means that there is no need for you to download the application on your iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Mac or Apple TV. However, Windows users who own mobile Apple devices need to download their Windows-friendly version. It works in the background just as it does on other devices. If you don't want to set up the desktop client, you may also access your files by logging in through the web app.

Is there a better alternative?

If you think iCloud isn't for you, there are a lot of cloud-storage service providers to choose from.

Google Drive is one of the easiest and most reliable storage solutions. Unlike that of Apple's Google offers their services to users of all devices. It's perfect for cloud collaboration and file sharing. You may use it in conjunction with other products from the tech giant like Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides. View photos and play videos easily or connect it with Pixlr Editor to quickly retouch a few images. Get up to 15GB worth of storage for no cost while their paid plans provide you top-notch service for a low price.

OneDrive is Microsoft's answer to your storage needs. It's integrated into Windows 10 so you no longer need to download any application. Sync photos across all devices using the Microsoft Photos App. You may also use OneDrive on Autodesk AutoCAD and rest assured your work is properly backed up. Get 5GB worth of storage for free or sign up for their paid plans to get bigger storage space.

Our take

Apple's iCloud works perfectly on all of its devices. You don't have to worry about losing your files because it does all the dirty work in the background. The slick design on Mac, iPhone, and iPad give you an easier and a more attractive way to back up your photos and documents. Sadly, however, this does not translate well on Windows.

Should you download it?

No. Even if you're using a handheld Apple device and don't have a Mac or MacBook it still isn't a great way to access the files you have on your phone or tablet. All the more if you don't own such devices. It would be best to opt for a different cloud storage service providers that have a better interface on the Windows operating system

Highs

• Reasonably priced
• Slick interface for Mac and iOS
• 5 GB free storage for iOS and macOS devices

Lows

Icloud Drive For Windows

• Unavailable for Windows without Apple device
• Windows client needs improvement
• Lacks interoperability

iCloudfor Windows

7.21.0.23

As you may know, iCloud Drive enables you to keep all your files up to date on all your devices, which even becomes more convenient to use on iPhone/iPad in iOS 11 with the help of the Files App. In a word, if you have turned iCloud Drive on your Windows PC, Mac and iOS devices, you can keep all your documents and files on all these devices the same. However, the 'iCloud Drive not syncing' issue are frequently reported by iPhone users. If you are reading this article, you must be one of them. If that's the case, no worry, here are the fixes you can try to cope with the problem effectively. Read on to get the details. (For solutions to other common iPhone problems, go to iOS & Mac Topics to find what you need.)

Notice

Looking for the free software to transfer photos from iPhone to computer or from computer to your iPhone? Read the article to get what you want.

Icloud Drive App

Fixes to iCloud Drive Not Syncing on Windows 10/Mac/iPhone

Tip 1: Check your Apple ID and iCloud Drive Settings

No matter what your problematic device is, Windows PC, Mac or iPhone, you'd better make sure you have signed in to iCloud on these devices with the same Apple ID and you have set up iCloud Drive correctly. Follow the tips below to check your iCloud Drive settings.

• On iPhone in iOS 11: Go to Settings >[your name] > iCloud and scroll down to turn on iCloud Drive.
• On Windows PC: Open the desktop App, iCloud, to check your iCloud settings, check your Apple ID and make sure the checkbox next to iCloud Drive is selected. If not, click the checkbox and choose Apply.
• On Mac: Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > iCloud and then select iCloud Drive.

Tip 2: Update to the latest version of iOS

iCloud Drive not syncing on your iPhone? Update your iOS operating system to the latest version and then check your iCloud Drive documents in the Files App. Go to Settings > General >Software Update and click Install Now if there is a new iOS update available.

Tip 3: Check the Internet connection on your Mac/Windows PC/iPhone

Icloud Drive Windows

If you find the iCloud Drive does not sync or update, check the Internet connection on these devices. Good Internet connection is an essential part of iCloud Drive syncing. If there is something wrong with the network connection on your devices, fix the network related problem may solve the 'iCloud Drive not syncing' issue. (WiFi not working in iOS 11? Learn how to fix it here.)

Tip 4: Check your iCloud storage

With iCloud Drive on, the documents saved in iCloud will be synced to iCloud Drive automatically. If your iCloud Drive not syncing is because the files don't update to iCloud, you'd better check your iCloud storage by going to Settings >[your name] >iCloud >iCloud Storage or Manage Storage. Or you can try to fix the 'iPhone not syncing to iCloud' issue following the tips in the article about 'iPhone contacts not syncing'.

Icloud Drive Is Loading

Tip 5: Hard Restart your Mac or iPhone

If iCloud Drive is not syncing on your Mac or iPhone, perform a hard reset on your device to have a try, which may fix the iCloud Syncing issue by restarting system process.

• On Mac: Go to Apple Menu >Restart.
• On iPhone X/8/8 Plus: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, quickly press and release the Volume Down button and then press and hold the Sleep/Wake button (side button) until you see the Apple logo.