Triggers
Activate on: iCloud full, cloud storage, backup photos, sync between devices, share folder, Google Drive help, Dropbox issues, "where are my files", storage plan comparison.
Scope
This skill covers consumer cloud storage — the services regular people use for photos, documents, and backups.
Not this skill: AWS, Azure, S3 buckets, VPS, Docker, APIs → use infrastructure, s3, or server.
Quick Service Picker
| Your devices | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone + Mac | iCloud | Native integration, seamless |
| Android + Chrome | Google Drive | Included with Gmail, auto photo backup |
| Windows PC | OneDrive | Built into Windows, Office integration |
| Mixed devices | Dropbox | Works equally well everywhere |
For detailed pricing and features, see services.md.
Common Confusions
| What you think | What's actually happening |
|---|---|
| "I deleted it from my phone and now it's gone from my laptop" | Sync works as designed — one file, everywhere |
| "iCloud storage full but my phone has space" | Phone storage ≠ iCloud storage |
| "My photos are duplicated everywhere" | Multiple services backing up the same camera roll |
| "I pay for 3 cloud services" | Pick one primary, cancel the rest |
Storage Full — What to Do
- Check what's using space — Photos usually dominate
- Empty trash — Deleted files count until trash is emptied
- Disable duplicate backups — Pick one photo backup service
- Offload old files — Move archives to external drive
For service-specific cleanup steps, see cleanup.md.
Backup Strategy
- 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 different media, 1 offsite
- Cloud counts as offsite — but also keep a local backup
- Check backup status monthly — don't assume it's working
What to back up and what NOT to store in cloud: see backup.md.
Sharing Files
| Need | Method |
|---|---|
| Quick share with anyone | Link (set expiration) |
| Ongoing family access | Shared folder |
| Sensitive documents | Don't use cloud, or encrypt first |
Step-by-step per service: see sharing.md.
Security Basics
- Enable 2FA on all cloud accounts
- Review shared links quarterly — revoke old ones
- Don't store unencrypted: passwords, IDs, financial documents