Open iCloud Drive files
If you use iCloud Drive, there are several ways to access and view your iCloud Drive files. In this tip we explain which options there are on which devices to view iCloud Drive files, such as on the Mac, iPhone, iPad and Windows PC.
- iOS
- Mac
- Windows
- Older versions of Mac and Windows
iOS: Files app
You will find the Files app on the iPhone and iPad. This is installed by default. You can recognize the app by the white icon with the blue folder. In the Browse tab you will find different sections. By default, you will also find an iCloud Drive section here. Here you can upload, download and organize your files just like on a Mac.
Mac: iCloud Drive in Finder
In Finder on the Mac, you’ll find an iCloud section in the menu on the left. One of the menus below it is called iCloud Drive. By simply dragging and dropping files into this section, they will be automatically uploaded to iCloud. Via this menu you can also easily view all your iCloud Drive files, divided into the different folders that belong to the supported apps.
You will also see Desktop and Documents in the iCloud section. You can also use these menus to move files to.
Windows: Install iCloud for Windows
For Windows PCs, Apple has created a special program that integrates iCloud into the operating system. This PC program ensures that you can view all iCloud files and, for example, synchronize photos, e-mail, documents, contacts and calendars with iCloud. After installing you will get an iCloud Drive folder on your PC, where you can drag all files and where you can also find the saved files. It works similar to Dropbox, where you also have a special folder that syncs with the online storage space.
Apple’s iCloud page explains how to install iCloud for Windows.
Older version OS X and Windows 10: Use iCloud.com
If you’re using software older than OS X Yosemite or Windows 7, you’ll need to use a different method to view your iCloud Drive files. Sign in to iCloud.com and click the iCloud Drive icon to browse the folders you have stored on iCloud. You can also use the web versions of Pages, Numbers, or Keynote for documents.
Even more about iCloud Drive
We have more interesting articles about iCloud Drive:
- iCloud Drive: what is it, what can you do with it?
- Limit iCloud Drive mobile data usage
- This is how you share folders with others in iCloud Drive
