How to Allow iCloud to Use Cellular Data for Transfers on an iPhone

Last Updated: August 29, 2022 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to use iCloud Drive and other iCloud services on your iPhone when you don't have access to Wi-Fi. Although it's not possible to sync an iCloud backup over the cellular network, you can transfer files using your iCloud Drive, as well as sync your Photos, Notes, Reminders, and more.

Steps

1
Open your iPhone’s Settings
. This is the grey gear icon on your iPhone's home screen. If you don't see it there, it'll be in the Utilities folder in your app library.
2
Tap Cellular. It's in the first group of options.

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3
Tap the "Cellular Data" switch to turn it on
. If the switch was already on (green), skip this step.
4
Scroll all the way down to "iCloud Drive." This option is at the bottom of the menu, past all of the other apps.
5
Tap the "iCloud Drive" switch to turn it on
. This ensures that the data on your iCloud drive will continue to sync over your cellular when Wi-Fi is unavailable.
6
Enable cellular data for other iCloud-related apps
. Scroll back up to look at the other apps in the list. If an app's switch is green, that the app or service can use cellular when Wi-Fi is unavailable. If the switch is gray/white, it cannot. These are the iCloud-related apps and services for which you can enable cellular data:
- App Store
- Calendar
- Contacts
- Find My
- Keynote
- Mail
- Messages
- Music
- Notes
- Numbers
- Pages
- Photos
- Reminders