How to cancel or downgrade iCloud+
Burn Team
The people who make Burn
Short answer
On iOS 18.4 or later: open Settings, tap your name, tap Subscriptions, tap iCloud+ under Active, then Cancel Subscription. To pick a smaller plan instead, tap See All Plans. The change takes effect when the current billing period ends, so first move anything that won't fit in the free 5 GB.
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In this post
Before you cancel: make room
Apple's free iCloud tier is 5 GB. Apple says to download or remove content that exceeds your new storage amount before you downgrade or cancel, or it may stop syncing. Photos and device backups are usually the big ones: check Settings, your name, iCloud to see what uses the space.
Cancel iCloud+ on iOS 18.4 and later
- Open Settings and tap your name.
- Tap Subscriptions, then iCloud+ under Active.
- Tap Cancel Subscription. Apple warns you may not have enough storage to sync all your data.
To downgrade instead, tap See All Plans in step 3, pick a smaller plan and follow the steps.
On iOS 18 to 18.3
- Open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud.
- Tap Manage Plan under iCloud+ Features.
- Tap Downgrade Options and enter your Apple Account password if asked.
- Pick a new plan, then tap Done.
On iOS 17 and earlier
- Open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud.
- Tap Manage Account Storage.
- Tap Downgrade Options and enter your password if asked.
- Pick a new plan, then tap Done.
What you lose and when
Nothing changes until the current billing period ends. Then, Apple says:
- If what you store is more than the new plan holds, iCloud stops syncing and updating your information, and iCloud backups won't complete until you free up space or pay for more.
- On the free plan you lose iCloud+ features such as Hide My Email, Private Relay, Apple Invites and HomeKit Secure Video support.
- If you pay for Apple One as well as an iCloud+ plan, you can cancel the separate iCloud+ plan and use the storage included in Apple One.
- Partial refunds are available where the law requires them, and if you changed plan recently Apple says to contact it within 14 days for a refund.
Apple's same article also has steps for iPad, Mac, Apple Vision Pro and a Windows PC. On a Windows PC: open iCloud for Windows, click Manage, Change Storage Plan, Downgrade Options, enter your password, choose the free 5 GB plan and click Done.
Where Burn fits
We make Burn. iCloud+ is a small monthly amount that's easy to forget, which is the kind of subscription Burn is for: it shows it in your monthly total and reminds you before it renews. Burn can't change your iCloud plan. Free for up to 5 subscriptions.
Questions people ask
How do I cancel my iCloud storage plan on iPhone?
On iOS 18.4 and later: Settings, tap your name, Subscriptions, iCloud+ under Active, Cancel Subscription. On older versions, go to Settings, your name, iCloud, then Manage Plan or Manage Account Storage, and Downgrade Options.
What happens if I cancel iCloud storage?
The change takes effect at the end of the billing period. Then you're on the free 5 GB. Apple says to remove or download what doesn't fit first, and some iCloud+ features may stop.
Can I cancel iCloud+ without an iPhone?
Yes. Apple's article has steps for iPad, Mac, Apple Vision Pro and Windows PC too, and a way to cancel online if you no longer have an Apple device.
Will I lose my photos if I cancel iCloud storage?
Apple says that if your data is bigger than the new plan, iCloud stops syncing and backups stop completing. Download or remove what won't fit in 5 GB before the billing period ends.
Sources: Apple, Downgrade or cancel your iCloud+ plan and iCloud+ plans and pricing. Steps re-checked 30 October 2026. If Apple changes the steps in a later iOS, its article wins.
