Have you recently purchased extra iCloud storage only to find that it's not working properly? You're not alone. Many Apple users face this frustrating situation after paying for additional storage space. The good news is that most iCloud storage issues can be resolved without contacting Apple Support.

In this guide, I'll walk you through three effective methods to fix your iCloud storage problems. By the end, you should have your newly purchased storage space working correctly.

Why Your New iCloud Storage Might Not Be Working

Before diving into the solutions, let's understand why your newly purchased iCloud storage might not be showing up or working correctly:

• Payment issues with your Apple ID
• Syncing problems between your devices and Apple's servers
• Software glitches in iOS, iPadOS, or macOS
• Account-related issues that prevent the storage upgrade from applying
• Outdated device software that doesn't recognize the new storage limit

Now, let's explore the three most effective ways to get your purchased iCloud storage working properly.

Method 1: Verify Your iCloud Storage Purchase and Payment

The first step is to confirm that your payment went through successfully and that the storage upgrade was actually applied to your account.

Check Your Current iCloud Storage Plan

First, let's verify what plan you currently have and if the new storage is showing in your account:

On iPhone or iPad:

• Open the Settings app
• Tap on your Apple ID at the top of the screen
• Select "iCloud"
• Tap "Manage Storage" or "iCloud Storage"

On Mac:

• Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner
• Select "System Settings" or "System Preferences"
• Click on your Apple ID
• Select "iCloud" and then "Manage"

On Windows PC:

• Open iCloud for Windows
• Click "Storage"

Here, you should see your current storage plan and how much space you're using. If the plan shown matches what you purchased, but you're still having issues, continue to the next steps.

Verify Your Payment Method and Subscription

Next, check if your payment method is valid and if the subscription is active:

On iPhone or iPad:

• Open Settings
• Tap your Apple ID
• Select "Subscriptions"
• Look for your iCloud storage plan in the list

On Mac:

• Open the App Store
• Click your account name at the bottom left
• Select "View Information" at the top
• Scroll down to "Subscriptions" and click "Manage"

If your subscription isn't listed or shows as expired, you'll need to purchase it again. If it shows as active but still not working, try updating your payment method:

• Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Payment & Shipping
• Check that your payment method is valid and up to date
• If needed, add a new payment method and set it as the default

Method 2: Sign Out and Sign Back Into iCloud

One of the most effective ways to resolve iCloud storage issues is to sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in. This refreshes the connection between your device and Apple's servers, often fixing syncing problems.

On iPhone or iPad:

Before you begin, make sure you know your Apple ID password, as you'll need it to sign back in.

• Open Settings
• Tap your name at the top
• Scroll down and tap "Sign Out"
• Enter your Apple ID password if prompted
• Choose which data you want to keep a copy of on your device (I recommend keeping a copy of everything)
• Tap "Sign Out" again to confirm

After signing out:

• Restart your device by turning it off and on
• Go back to Settings
• Tap "Sign in to your [device]"
• Enter your Apple ID and password
• Follow any additional prompts to complete the sign-in process

On Mac:

• Click the Apple menu
• Select "System Settings" or "System Preferences"
• Click on your Apple ID
• Click "Sign Out"
• Choose which data you want to keep on your Mac
• Restart your Mac
• Go back to System Settings/Preferences
• Click "Sign in with your Apple ID"
• Enter your credentials and follow the prompts

After signing back in, check if your iCloud storage is now working correctly. This process often resolves issues related to account synchronization and storage recognition.

Method 3: Update Your Devices and Reset Network Settings

Outdated software or network connectivity issues can prevent your device from recognizing your new iCloud storage plan. Let's address both of these potential problems.

Update Your Device Software

Making sure your device is running the latest version of its operating system can resolve many iCloud-related issues:

For iPhone or iPad:

• Connect to Wi-Fi and plug your device into a power source
• Go to Settings > General > Software Update
• If an update is available, tap "Download and Install"
• Enter your passcode if prompted
• Pay to the terms and conditions
• Wait for the update to download and install

For Mac:

• Click the Apple menu
• Select "System Settings" or "System Preferences"
• Click "General" and then "Software Update"
• If an update is available, click "Update Now" or "Upgrade Now"
• Follow the on-screen instructions

Reset Network Settings

Network issues can prevent your device from communicating properly with iCloud servers. Resetting your network settings can help:

On iPhone or iPad:

• Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device]
• Tap "Reset"
• Select "Reset Network Settings"
• Enter your passcode if prompted
• Confirm by tapping "Reset Network Settings"

Note: This will reset all network settings, including Wi-Fi passwords, cellular settings, and VPN configurations. You'll need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi networks afterward.

On Mac:

• Click the Apple menu
• Select "System Settings" or "System Preferences"
• Click "Network"
• Select your Wi-Fi connection
• Click "Advanced"
• In the Wi-Fi tab, select the networks you want to forget and click the minus (-) button
• Click "OK" and then "Apply"
• Restart your Mac
• Reconnect to your Wi-Fi network

Check iCloud System Status

Sometimes, the problem isn't on your end but with Apple's servers. Check if iCloud services are experiencing outages:

• Visit Apple's System Status page
• Look for any yellow or red indicators next to iCloud services

If there's an output, you'll need to wait until Apple resolves the issue. Check back later to see if your iCloud storage is working properly.

Comparing the Three Methods: Which Works Best?

Method	Effectiveness	Complexity	Time Required	Best For
Verify Purchase & Payment	High for billing issues	Low	5-10 minutes	Payment or subscription problems
Sign Out/Sign In to iCloud	High for syncing issues	Medium	10-15 minutes	Account recognition problems
Update & Reset Network	High for technical issues	Medium-High	15-30 minutes	Software bugs or connectivity problems

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Additional Tips If None of the Methods Work

If you've tried all three methods and your iCloud storage is still not working, here are some additional steps you can take:

Contact Apple Support

Apple's support team can help diagnose and resolve persistent iCloud storage issues:

• Visit support.apple.com
• Select "iCloud" as the product
• Choose "Storage" as the topic
• Select your preferred contact method (chat, phone, or email)

Request a Refund

If you can't get your purchased storage to work, you might want to request a refund:

• Go to reportaproblem.apple.com
• Sign in with your Apple ID
• Find your iCloud storage subscription
• Click "Report a Problem" next to the subscription
• Select "Request a Refund" and follow the prompts

Try a Different Storage Solution

If iCloud continues to give you trouble, consider alternative cloud storage options:

• Google Drive: Offers 15GB of free storage and affordable paid plans
• Dropbox: Simple interface with good cross-platform support
• Microsoft OneDrive: Integrates well with Windows and Office
• Amazon Photos: Unlimited full-resolution photo storage for Prime members

Common Issues with iCloud Storage and Their Fixes

"Storage Full" Message Despite Upgrade

If you're still seeing "Storage Full" messages after purchasing more space:

• Force close Settings app and reopen it
• Wait 24 hours for the purchase to fully process
• Check if you have multiple Apple IDs and ensure you're using the correct one

Photos Not Uploading to iCloud

If your photos aren't syncing to iCloud after the storage upgrade:

• Make sure iCloud Photos is enabled (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos)
• Connect to Wi-Fi, as photos typically only upload on Wi-Fi
• Check that your device is charging, as some syncing only happens when plugged in

iCloud Backup Failing

If backups aren't working despite having enough storage:

• Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup
• Toggle off iCloud Backup, restart your device, then toggle it back on
• Try initiating a manual backup by tapping "Back Up Now"

Family Sharing Storage Confusion

If you're using Family Sharing and having storage issues:

• Verify if you're using individual storage or a family storage plan
• Check if the family organizer needs to accept or manage the storage upgrade
• Ensure all family members are using the same storage plan

Conclusion

Dealing with iCloud storage issues after purchasing more space can be frustrating, but the three methods outlined in this guide should help resolve most problems. Start by verifying your purchase and payment details, then try signing out and back into iCloud, and finally update your devices and reset network settings if needed.

Remember that sometimes it can take up to 24 hours for a new storage plan to fully activate across all your devices. If you've waited that long and tried all the suggested fixes without success, don't hesitate to contact Apple Support for personalized assistance.

With a little troubleshooting, you should be able to enjoy your newly purchased iCloud storage and keep all your important files, photos, and backups safely in the cloud.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for new iCloud storage to become available after purchase?

In most cases, your new iCloud storage should be available immediately after purchase. However, it can sometimes take up to 24 hours for the changes to fully propagate across all your devices and Apple's servers. If it's been more than 24 hours and your new storage still isn't showing up, you should try the troubleshooting methods in this guide or contact Apple Support.

Will I lose any data when signing out of my Apple ID to fix iCloud storage issues?

When you sign out of your Apple ID, you'll be asked which data you want to keep on your device. If you select to keep copies of your iCloud data (such as contacts, calendars, and passwords), you shouldn't lose anything. However, it's always a good idea to make a separate backup of important information before making account changes. Once you sign back in, your device will re-sync with iCloud and restore access to all your cloud-stored data.

Can I get a refund if I can't get my purchased iCloud storage to work?

Yes, Apple typically offers refunds for iCloud storage purchases if you're experiencing technical issues that prevent you from using the service. You can request a refund by visiting reportaproblem.apple.com, signing in with your Apple ID, finding your iCloud storage subscription, and selecting “Request a Refund.” Apple reviews refund requests on a case-by-case basis, but technical issues are generally considered valid reasons for a refund.

Why does my iCloud storage show different amounts on different devices?

This usually happens because not all your devices have synced with Apple's servers after a storage upgrade. Try signing out of iCloud and back in on the devices showing incorrect storage amounts. Also, make sure all your devices are running the latest operating system version. If the discrepancy persists after 24 hours, it might indicate a syncing issue that requires one of the fixes described in this article.

Can I share my purchased iCloud storage with family members?

Yes, if you've purchased the 200GB or 2TB iCloud+ plans, you can share your storage with family members through Family Sharing. To set this up, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing > iCloud+ Sharing, then follow the prompts to invite family members. Each person will still maintain private storage areas that other family members can't access, but you'll all draw from the same storage pool. Individual storage plans (50GB) cannot be shared with family members.