iCloud is a simple idea in theory—access to all your data on all your devices, via the cloud—that can become complicated when put into practice. Instead of wasting time fiddling with iCloud, when there are many other more important things to be done with the information it contains, learn how to minimize frustrations with Take Control of iCloud, Ninth Edition!
Whether you want a quick tip or a deep dive into the inner workings of iCloud, you’ll find what you need in this best-selling book by Apple expert Joe Kissell. Start by learning what iCloud can do, how it differs from other cloud services, and how best to set it up on Macs, iOS and iPadOS devices, Apple TVs, and Windows PCs.
Then, move on to finding out the key aspects—and hidden gotchas—of iCloud’s core features, including:
- iCloud+, Apple’s paid membership tiers with extra features
- Photo features: iCloud Photos, iCloud Photo Sharing, and iCloud Shared Photo Library
- Family Sharing
- iTunes Match and iCloud Music Library
- iCloud Drive
- Mail and Mail Drop
- Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, and Notes
- iCloud Keychain
- the iCloud website
- Location features: Find My Device, Find My Item, Find My People, and the Find My app
- Two-factor authentication
- Activation lock
- Backing up and recovering data
- Managing your privacy and security (including the use of Advanced Data Protection)
This edition has been updated to cover macOS 26 Tahoe, iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and recent changes to the iCloud website. It also continues to cover macOS 10.15 Catalina through macOS 15 Sequoia and iOS 18/iPadOS 18, but drops coverage of earlier operating system versions.
Joe Kissell is the author of more than 75 books about technology. In 2017, he also became the publisher of Take Control Books, when alt concepts—the company he runs with his wife, Morgen Jahnke—acquired the Take Control imprint from TidBITS Publishing Inc.’s owners, Adam and Tonya Engst. Before he began writing full-time in 2003, Joe managed software development, a totally normal profession for someone with degrees in philosophy and linguistics.
In his rare non-work hours, Joe likes to walk, cook, read, and teach tai chi. He lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, with Morgen and their sons. You can follow him on Mastodon (@joekissell) or Bluesky (@joekissell.com), or visit his personal website, JoeKissell.com.
What’s New in Version 9.4
Version 9.4 of this book is what version 9.3 should have been. I missed some changes and made mistakes—no excuses. Apart from some small wording changes, here’s what I adjusted in this update:
- Corrected the title (and link) for Kirk McElhearn’s book about Apple Music and other media apps (Take Control of Apple Media Apps) in “Activate iTunes Match on an iPhone or iPad”
- Fixed numerous issues in “Work with iCloud Passwords & Keychain,” including which versions of macOS can display passwords within Safari vs. the Passwords app (see, for example, “Set up iCloud Keychain on a Mac”), overhauling the directions to “Generate a Random Password,” and correcting both the heading and the contents of “Use Passkeys from Your Keychain”
- Corrected the instructions for creating rules in “The Mail Web App”
What Was New in Version 9.3
Apple made few changes affecting iCloud in their version 26 operating systems, released in September 2025. However, they did modify and add iCloud-related features during this period:
- Apple added an Invites app to iCloud.com (and iOS)—but only for iCloud+ subscribers. See “The Invites Web App.”
- Apple removed access to Advanced Data Protection for UK residents. See “Use Advanced Data Protection.”
- The streaming service formerly known as Apple TV+ was confusingly renamed Apple TV, which is also the name of a hardware box and an app.
In addition, this update drops coverage of iOS 17/iPadOS 17.
Posted by Joe Kissell on March 19, 2023
Joe Kissell joined host Chuck Joiner on MacVoices to talk about Take Control of iCloud, Ninth Edition.
In part one, Joe covers Advanced Data Protection and the challenges he faced moving his Apple ID from one country to another.
In part two, Joe explains what’s new in iCloud for windows, and talks about problems with Desktop and Documents syncing.
Posted by Joe Kissell on February 17, 2022
Joe Kissell, now living in Canada, joined host Chuck Joiner on MacVoices to talk about Take Control of iCloud, Eighth Edition.
In part one, Joe explores some of the new iCloud features, issues with iCloud Drive, and more.
In part two, Joe talks about iCloud+ features and offers more thoughts on iCloud in general.
Posted by Joe Kissell on August 13, 2020
Joe Kissell joined Chuck Joiner on MacVoices in a two-part interview to discuss the seventh (seventh!) edition of his book Take Control of iCloud.
In Part 1, Joe discusses some differences between iCloud and Dropbox, and whether you should consider storing Desktop and Documents folders in iCloud.
In Part 2, Joe discusses iCloud reliability, the perils of oversimplification, the extent to which the book covers various Apple apps.
Dave Muth (verified owner) –
I’ve only read the “What’s New” first chapter. It’s so well done that I will read all those links 1st! (I already read older versions.) THEN I’ll read the rest of the book. THANKS Joe Kissell! You’re the best of a great bunch of writers here.
Sebby (verified owner) –
I enjoy reading these books, as ever, and this one was no exception. But there are some surprising omissions which are best explained by the age of the book and the fact that they were recent additions (but that, nevertheless, must be included). Off the top of my head: privacy.apple.com does in fact mean you can disable/delete your account; Mail rules and enabled aliases can in fact be controlled in iOS Settings for iCloud Mail now; CalDAV is no longer used for Reminders (the author accidentally notices this, but doesn’t then make the connection to the new upgraded system and the compatibility issues that this causes).
I still highly recommend the book, though. There is no other comprehensive guide to iCloud that is quite like it. That and “Take Control of Your Apple Account” together pretty much tell you everything there is to know about Apple’s suite of online services.
Joe Kissell (verified owner) –
@Sebby Thanks for your comments. Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t supply release notes for iCloud, and I don’t have any internal contacts at Apple, so I learn about changes only if I notice them. In this case, I obviously missed a few recent changes. I’ll correct those oversights in an update as soon as I can. Remember that you can always write to me directly with any questions or concerns, and when we find problems with our books, we go out of our way to fix them quickly.