How to get unlimited temporary iCloud storage

Temporary iCloud storage is a free Apple feature that gives you as much backup space as you need when switching to a new iPhone or iPad — even if your regular iCloud plan is full. It's available for 21 days and requires iOS 15 or later. It’s a very convenient way to sync your files across the Apple ecosystem, share them with others, and back up all your devices. 

The problem is that the iCloud free storage is limited to 5 GB. If you want more, you have to subscribe to iCloud+.

The good news? Apple has a clever workaround called temporary iCloud storage that lets you back up your entire device (even if your regular iCloud is full) when you’re switching to a new iPhone.

I’ll walk you through exactly how temporary iCloud storage works, who can use it, and every step to make your next iPhone upgrade completely stress-free. Here’s how to use it.

What is temporary iCloud storage?

Еemporary iCloud storage is a free space (like a bonus) provided by Apple in case you need to back up and transfer data to a newly purchased device, but you don’t have enough space in your iCloud plan. 

Temporary storage is available for 21 days to complete the backup, and you must have iOS 15 or later installed to use the feature (and Apple recommends updating to the latest version if possible). It’s recommended to update to the latest version to avoid any glitches or issues.

Here are the key points:

For more information, check with the Apple Support page.

How to back up your iPhone when iCloud is full

To back up your iPhone when iCloud is full, Apple offers temporary extra iCloud storage, but only when you’re preparing to transfer data to a new device. This lets you create a full backup even when you don't have enough space. For regular backups, you’ll still need to free up storage, upgrade your plan, or use a computer.

Back up an iPhone with no available storage (for a new device)

Here’s how to back up an iPhone with no storage: 

1. Go to Settings > General.
2. Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone > Get Started.
3. If you see iCloud Backup is Turned Off, then tap Turn On Backup to Transfer.
4. If your iCloud storage is full, Apple will let you use free extra iCloud storage. If not, then you have a space in your iCloud to back up your iPhone.
5. The backup process should start (will likely take a few minutes), and you should be able to see its progress.

If you're unsure whether to use temporary iCloud storage or back up to your Mac instead, the iPhone Help Assistant can help you figure out which option suits your setup — I used it to check compatibility before switching to a new device.

Restore your backup on your new iPhone

Once your backup is finished, here’s how to get everything onto your new iPhone:

1. Turn on your new iPhone and follow the on-screen setup steps.
2. When prompted, choose Restore from iCloud Backup.
3. Sign in with your Apple Account.
4. Select the temporary backup you just created.
5. Wait for the restore to finish. Note that this can take some time depending on your Wi-Fi speed and backup size.
6. If you have Wi-Fi issues, use the guide to find the best Wi-Fi channel.

In case you can’t transfer data from your old to a new iPhone, make sure to update iOS on both devices (Apple recommends). As of the latest discussions on Reddit, this is truly one of the reasons you can’t transfer your data.

Should you move all app data to iCloud?

If you have lots of iCloud space, you might already be backing up all your apps to iCloud. However, with a 5 GB limitation, you’ve probably turned off the automatic backup for some of these apps. Since there’s no limit on this temporary iCloud storage, Move All App Data With iCloud seems like a better option, unless you have all those apps backed up elsewhere. 

Back up to your Mac instead

In case you’d rather not experiment with the temporary iCloud backup, you have another option out there — backing up to your Mac. The most effective way to do this is with an iPhone manager like AnyTrans for iOS. 

AnyTrans for iOS is a smart alternative to Mac’s native tools for managing your iPhone. You can use it to download media and apps, configure messengers, set ringtones, convert images, set up iCloud, and manage backups — all at once. This app makes transferring files and making all the necessary copies a breeze.

To back up data to your Mac:

1. Install and open AnyTrans for iOS.
2. Connect your phone via USB, and go to the Backup Manager section.
3. Start the backup process. 

I recommend this option, as AnyTrans doesn’t overwrite your iPhone or iPad backups and uses end-to-end encryption to secure your data. Plus, I use the app to look through the backup and extract specific data in different formats.

How to cancel a temporary iCloud backup

When you have a backup in the iCloud free storage, you don’t have to worry about deleting it — it’ll automatically disappear in 21 days. However, once you restore to your new device, your backup will stay available for another 7 days before it is deleted.

However, if the backup hasn’t been completed yet and is taking too long (are you backing up a 512 GB iPhone?), you can cancel it at any time. 

To cancel your iPhone backup: 

1. Go to Settings
2. Open iCloud
3. Tap iCloud Backup
4. Cancel Backup 

Read also:

• Recover deleted photos from iPhone
• Delete contacts on iPhone
• Download photos from Google Photos
• Shared album not showing up

Fix common temporary iCloud backup errors

Most of the time, you shouldn’t have any problems with the free iCloud backup if you follow the instructions above. 

However, if you open Settings and see the “The last backup could not be completed” error, it means that something has gone wrong in the backup process. 

To resolve the temporary iCloud backup error: 

1. Go to Settings > Apple Account > iCloud.
2. iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now.
3. Alternatively, you could also turn off the setting for iCloud Backup.

If none of this helps, you can reset your iPhone settings by going to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset and selecting Reset All Settings. 

Maximize the benefits of temporary iCloud storage

That’s all you need to know about temporary iCloud storage. If you have iOS 15 or later (I still recommend updating to the latest version) and want to move to a new device, you can use this option. Remember that you have 21 days of free temporary storage before it disappears. You don't have to worry about whether your iCloud storage is full when backing up, but if temporary storage isn't an option, you can back up to your Mac using AnyTrans for iOS and even transfer or back up specific files with the tool. Alternatively, use CleanMy®Phone to declutter your gallery by removing similar photos, duplicates, or large files, so you won't pile up data you don’t need and back up to iCloud. 

iCloud full on upgrade day? Back up smarter — not with a bigger storage plan. Both AnyTrans for iOS and CleanMy®Phone are on Setapp — free for 7 days. Start My 7-Day Setapp Trial.