iCloud is an amazing service that makes it possible to store files online and access them from multiple devices – no matter where you are. However, this modern convenience can become quite frustrating when upload speeds are very low.
In short, there are several factors that can affect your iCloud upload speed. Even some of them are out of your control. However, there are many practices you can use to speed up the process on your part.
So, here are 7 ways to keep your upload speeds as fast as possible.
7 Tips on How to Speed Up Your iCloud Uploads
Below, see how to speed up your uploads:
1. Check for updates
Apple updates its iCloud servers on a regular basis. However, keeping your devices up to date will ensure that your devices enjoy the latest updates. So, first of all, make sure you’re running the latest Apple operating system.
- To check for updates on your iPhone, go to settings > General > Software Update;
- On a Mac, go to Apple (Apple in top corner) > System Settings > General > Software Update.
2. Log back into your devices
If loading has slowed down, there may be an issue with a file or group of files that is slowing down the process. When this happens, you will see a small clock next to your iCloud Drive in Finder without making any progress.
In this case, it is recommended to log out of iCloud and log in once more. To do this:
- Login System Settings no Mac;
- Then click on ID Apple;
- After that, scroll to the bottom and click on To go out. This will reset all files captured in the upload process. It’s possible do the same on your iPhone or iPad, from Settings.
- Finally, re-login both devices and try to upload once more.
3. Use correct characters
Make sure the uploaded files do not have any of the following characters in their names:
- < (less than);
- > (bigger then);
- # (hashtag);
- % (percentage);
- $ (dollar sign);
- “ or ‘ (quotation marks);
- : (two points);
- | (vertical bar or tube);
- ? (Question Mark);
- * (asterisk);
- / or (slash or backslash).
Also, avoid starting a filename with a blank space. Using these characters in a file or folder name on iCloud can cause an error message as well as slow down the system over time without you knowing which files are the culprit.
4. Don’t transfer large files at once
While it’s possible to store huge files on iCloud, trying to upload several of them simultaneously will slow down the service. Best practice for large files is to load one at a time and wait until one has completely loaded before starting another.
5. Don’t multitask when uploading
If you are doing more than one task while uploading files to iCloud, all other resource consuming tasks can slow down the upload process. Therefore, try not to perform operations that are hogging RAM or storage until the upload is complete.
6. Use an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is very convenient, and you can often rely on it to upload files to iCloud, especially with an iPhone. But that convenience comes at the cost of your upload speed.
Despite advances in wireless technology, wired connections are still faster and more reliable. So when uploading files, especially huge ones, use an Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi whenever possible.
7. Don’t clutter up your storage space
Lastly, make sure you have enough free storage space on your device and iCloud. A nearly full drive, in any location, will slow your upload speeds. If you’re running low on iCloud storage, consider upgrading your iCloud plan.
When you consider the cost of a new hard drive, iCloud premium pricing is very reasonable. But if you don’t want to spend more money on iCloud, free up space by deleting all files which are not needed in the cloud.
