Feeling pressured into an iCloud subscription? You’re not alone.
If you own an iPhone or iPad, you’re likely familiar with the persistent “upgrade storage” notifications from iCloud. These tactics are proving effective, as a new report highlights iCloud’s rise to become Apple’s most popular service.
A recent survey by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) reveals that nearly two-thirds (64%) of iPhone and iPad users subscribe to iCloud. This places iCloud far ahead of other Apple services, with Apple Music at 42% and Apple TV Plus trailing at 32%.
Even free services like Apple Podcasts, used by 37% of iPhone and iPad owners, can’t match iCloud’s popularity. AppleCare insurance lags significantly at 17%. The reasons behind this trend are increasingly controversial.
In March, Apple faced a class-action lawsuit alleging that iCloud operates as a monopoly due to its implementation. The lawsuit claims Apple forces users to rely on iCloud for device backups, contributing to its 70% share of the cloud storage market.
iCloud’s free storage quota of 5GB is notably limited compared to competitors like Google Drive, which offers 15GB for free. While backing up an iPhone to a laptop is possible, there’s no straightforward method to use an external drive, making iCloud the more convenient option for many.
Apple might argue that a third of iPhone and iPad users don’t use iCloud, which doesn’t sound monopolistic. However, iCloud’s deep integration into Apple devices, including those storage warning pop-ups, gives it a significant edge over rival services. This advantage could be scrutinized in the broader Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into Apple’s alleged iPhone monopoly.
A Strategic Move
Apple appears to view Apple Intelligence as the next iCloud, with rumors suggesting a subscription tier for AI-powered features. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this could manifest as “Apple Intelligence+,” offering additional features for a monthly fee. The outcome of the DOJ lawsuit could influence how this is implemented.
Apple has dismissed the iCloud monopoly lawsuit as “implausible,” but scrutiny over its ‘walled garden’ practices is growing.
While iCloud remains the best free cloud storage solution (up to the 5GB limit) for Apple users, our guide to the best free cloud storage options includes alternatives like Microsoft’s OneDrive. For photo backups, check out our guide to the best cloud storage for photos.
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