Our phones are our lifelines: our cameras, computers, communication devices, and navigation tools. They help us capture precious memories, keep track of important documents, and connect us to the world. But all that data takes up space, both on our devices and in the “cloud.” Cloud storage offers a convenient backup and sharing solution, but it can quickly become confusing and even expensive. Whether you’re an iPhone or an Android user, these tips will help you maximize your cloud storage.
Storage Units
How much is enough? How do I know how much I need? Data stored both on your phone and in the cloud is measured in gigabytes (GB). Phones today are typically sold with a built-in storage range from 16GB-512GB, with the option to utilize cloud storage as a way to keep backups or extra data. The typical culprit for data abduction is our camera roll. Photos, videos, accidental duplicates, and screenshots, often unknowingly take up storage space for smartphone users. On average, a photo utilizes about 5MB (0.005GB). A basic photographer may only need 1 GB for around 200 photos, while a social media mogul may require closer to 30GB for 6,000 photos. It is certainly a place to check for overflow if you’re ever being warned of dwindling storage space.
Apple vs. Android
iPhones primarily use iCloud, offering a limited amount of free storage (usually 5GB to start). Android users often rely on Google Drive, which also provides a free tier and various subscription options. Other cloud services like Dropbox, OneDrive, and Amazon Photos are available for both platforms, each with its own pricing structure and features. Whether or not to invest is completely up to your individual needs. Some upgrades may only cost $1/month adding 50GB of storage, which as discussed before can free up some space for some more pictures, if that’s what you’re collecting.
Clean up the Clutter
The first step to conserving cloud storage is a digital declutter. Regularly review your photos, videos, and files. Delete duplicates, blurry shots, and anything you no longer need. This simple act can free up significant space both on your device and in your cloud storage. Consider using your phone’s built-in tools for identifying and deleting similar photos. Both iPhones and Androids offer settings to optimize their storage. On iPhones, you can choose “Optimize iPhone Storage” in iCloud Photos settings. This keeps lower-resolution versions on your device while the originals are stored in iCloud. Android users can explore similar options within Google Photos, such as “Storage Saver” (formerly “High quality”), which compresses photos and videos while maintaining reasonable quality.
Still Need More Space?
If you still find yourself running out of cloud storage, consider upgrading to a paid plan. Compare the pricing and features of different cloud providers to find the best fit for your needs. There are also ways to store things out of the cloud and keep them on Earth, like on your computer, on an external storage drive, or by printing and storing them in a photo album or binder.
Alison Vanderpool, M.S.Ed. is a Realtor with EPIQUE Realty. She can be contacted at 815-275-5114, AlisonVanderpool@epique.me. You can visit her Facebook page at Facebook.com/yourkey2access.
This article was originally published in CHOICES For Fifty Plus, a Dubuque area magazine for people that are 50 and older. Single copies are available at Dubuque area newsstands or click here to read the digital version of the latest issue.
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