What happens to data from Shared iCloud Storage when user leaves?

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What happens to data from Shared iCloud Storage when user leaves?

My family is currently paying for separate iCloud storage plans, and would save quite a few dollars if we move to shared iCloud storage. My question is, if later on my kids leave our Apple family to start their own (they get married, want to separate their accounts, etc...), will they lose the data shared in the storage? There are photos and backups that I'm sure no one would want to lose, but it's not clear if we can safely separate their data if they leave the Apple family.

I did some searching and couldn't find anything to this, and without setting up fake accounts and testing it out, I have no way of knowing. Has anyone done this, or something similar, that could offer advice? I'm sure this situation could come up if kids grow out of an Apple family, or a divorce happens, or similar.

Thanks!

Posted on Jul 1, 2020 10:36 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Michael Black

Level 10

80,430 points

Jul 2, 2020 9:28 AM in response to thedavidplatt

They would still keep their data, but would have to individually subscribe for storage if they have more than 5GB of data. Or transfer data to a computer for safe keeping in order to get their iCloud usage down to 5GB or less.

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Answer 2

zinacef

Level 10

88,473 points

Jul 1, 2020 4:32 PM in response to thedavidplatt

Their data will stay separate on their devices, and on Family Sharing, there is no obligation for their data to be shared with everyone else's unless they wish to share it. Think of it like moving into a bigger house, i.e. everyone has their bigger bedrooms with their own private stuff within.

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Answer 3

Jul 2, 2020 5:38 AM in response to zinacef

Hi zinacef,

I understand that – moving to shared means everyone shares the space but has their own "room." My question is regarding the opposite scenario though. When the kids move out, do they get to keep their stuff, or is it left behind? If they leave the Apple family, will they be able to bring their photos/backups/documents with them?

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Answer 4

Jul 2, 2020 9:32 AM in response to Michael Black

Gotcha, that's what I was hoping. I assume there's some dialog when you leave the family to explain that? "To not lose your data, you'll need to sign up for an individual iCloud data plan" or something along those lines.

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What happens to data from Shared iCloud Storage when user leaves?

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