Use the free cloud storage you already have

โ–ถ Pick your device and tap to watch:

You probably already have free online storage from Google, Apple or Microsoft. Here's how much, and how to use it safely.

โฑ About 10 minutes ยท 5 steps ยท โ–ถ 2 videos
What you'll need
  • Your Google, Apple or Microsoft account
  • About 10 minutes

Who qualifies

Anyone with a free Google, Apple, Microsoft or Dropbox account. No card needed for the free amount.

What you get

Google 15 GB (shared by Gmail, Drive and Photos), Apple iCloud 5 GB, Microsoft OneDrive 5 GB, Dropbox Basic 2 GB.

After the free part

Nothing until you choose to upgrade. The cheapest upgrades are iCloud+ 50 GB for $0.99 a month, and Google One or Microsoft 365 Basic, 100 GB for $1.99 a month (US prices, October 2026).

Free cloud space, by company: Google 15 GB; Apple iCloud 5 GB; Microsoft OneDrive 5 GB; Dropbox Basic 2 GB
  1. Know what you already get free

  2. See how much you're using

    ๐Ÿ“ฑ iPhone / iPad: Settings > your name > iCloud shows your storage bar.

    ๐Ÿค– Android: In the Google Photos or Google Drive app, tap your profile picture to see your storage.

    On a computer, sign in at one.google.com/storage, icloud.com or onedrive.live.com.

  3. Free up space before you pay

    Empty the trash, delete big videos you've already saved elsewhere, and clear large email attachments. Deleted items usually sit in a trash or Recently Deleted folder for a while before the space comes back.

  4. Be careful with work or school accounts

    A job or school may give you Google or Microsoft storage, but it belongs to them. You can lose it when you leave, and they may be able to see it. Keep personal photos and papers in your own account.

  5. Spot fake storage warnings

    โš ๏ธ Careful: Texts or emails saying "your cloud storage is full, pay now or lose your photos" are a common scam. Real free programs never ask for your card or bank details to give you something free, never pressure you with a countdown, and never come from a random text, pop-up or caller. Go to the official website yourself instead of tapping a link.
    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Check your storage only by opening the app or typing the website address yourself.

Compare at a glance

ServiceFree spaceCheapest upgrade (US)
Google (Gmail, Drive, Photos)15 GB100 GB for $1.99 a month
Apple iCloud5 GB50 GB for $0.99 a month; 200 GB for $2.99
Microsoft OneDrive5 GB100 GB for $1.99 a month or $19.99 a year
Dropbox Basic2 GBPaid plans on Dropbox's own site
โš ๏ธ Watch out for look-alike sites

The real addresses are one.google.com, icloud.com, onedrive.live.com. Type it yourself or use the buttons above. Fake sites use names like icloud-storage-full.com, google-photos-backup.net (examples only, do not visit). A real free program never asks for your card or bank details to โ€œunlockโ€ it.

Why we trust this: Storage sizes and prices come from Google's, Apple's, Microsoft's and Dropbox's own help and pricing pages, checked October 2026.

๐ŸŽ‰ All done! Now you know what you have free. When you need more, upgrade only from inside the official app or settings.

Related game: Scam or Legit?. Related explainer: What does โ€œthe cloudโ€ really mean? .

Official help pages

Steps checked against these pages in October 2026. If a button looks different, look for a similar label.