Turn on optimized storage for photos. That way the total size of photos can be larger than your iPhone storage. Answer from regression4 on reddit.com
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Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 108349
Buy iCloud+ or upgrade your current storage plan - Apple Support
2 weeks ago - If you're not already subscribed to iCloud+ and want to buy a plan, tap iCloud, scroll down, then tap Upgrade to iCloud+. Then choose a plan and follow the onscreen instructions. Open the Settings app, then tap your name. Tap iCloud, then scroll and tap Manage Plan.
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Apple
apple.com › icloud
iCloud+ - Apple
September 28, 2025 - It also includes access to features ... experience. It’s easy. Just click one of the upgrade links on this page, or go to iCloud Settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to upgrade to iCloud+....
People also ask

How do I upgrade to iCloud+?
It’s easy. Just click one of the upgrade links on this page, or go to iCloud Settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to upgrade to iCloud+.
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apple.com
apple.com › icloud
iCloud+ - Apple
What is iCloud+?
iCloud+ is a premium subscription that provides additional storage to keep your photos, videos, files, and more backed up and automatically available across your devices. It also includes access to features like Apple Invites, iCloud Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domain, and HomeKit Secure Video support for a private and connected experience.
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apple.com
apple.com › icloud
iCloud+ - Apple
Is there a free version of iCloud?
Yes. The first time you sign in to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac with your Apple Account, you’ll get 5GB of free iCloud storage. This allows you to back up your data and keep your personal information in sync across your devices and at iCloud.com. To get additional storage for all your data, as well as access to iCloud Private Relay, Hide My Email, HomeKit Secure Video, and more, simply upgrade to iCloud+.
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apple.com
apple.com › icloud
iCloud+ - Apple
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ICloud
icloud.com › storage
Storage - Apple iCloud
Log in to iCloud.com to view your iCloud Storage usage, check your family’s usage and learn how to upgrade.
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ICloud
icloud.com › plan
iCloud Plan - Apple iCloud
Learn about iCloud+ plans and choose what’s right for you. Compare prices, storage, access to premium features and more.
Find elsewhere
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Verizon
verizon.com › support › knowledge-base-206979
Apple iPhone - Upgrade iCloud Storage Space | Verizon
Upgrading your iCloud® storage provides more room for your Apple® iPhone® backups, photos, and other files. This prevents interruptions and ensures your data is always accessible across devices.
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Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 108047
iCloud+ plans and pricing - Apple Support
1 week ago - iCloud+ is Apple’s premium cloud subscription. It gives you more storage for your photos, files, and backups, and additional features* available only to subscribers: ... Share everything with up to five other family members. ... Share everything with up to five other family members. ... Share everything with up to five other family members. You can upgrade to iCloud+ from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC.
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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › mac-computers › mwxni-need-renew-upgrade-icloud-storage-card.html
How to Renew and Upgrade Your iCloud Storage Plan | Expert Q&A
Please go to Settings > Apple ID (your name at the top) > iCloud. It will show you the storage space used here. If you want to upgrade, choose Manage Account Storage > Change Storage Plan > Upgrade to iCloud+.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/apple › it’s time for apple to modernize its icloud storage tiers
r/apple on Reddit: It’s time for Apple to modernize its iCloud storage tiers
January 12, 2025 - You can do that if you use apple one. You get 2TB with apple one and then you can upgrade it by another 2TB. ... Whenever they touch this they'll get rid of the very nice $1 plan. ... The vast majority of people I know who pay for iCloud storage only subscribe to the $1 tier.
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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › software › oa8b4-need-upgrade-icloud-2-99-per-month-mean.html
How to Upgrade iCloud Storage Online | Expert Q&A
February 26, 2024 - To upgrade your iCloud storage, go to Settings on your Apple device, tap your name, then select iCloud. Choose 'Manage Storage' or 'iCloud Storage,' then tap 'Buy More Storage' or 'Change Storage Plan.'
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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › smartphones › rqqa8-need-increase-icloud-storage-putting.html
How to Fix iCloud Storage Upgrade Issues on iPhone 15
April 12, 2025 - Select iCloud. Tap Manage Account Storage (or Manage Storage, depending on your iOS version). Choose Change Storage Plan. Select the plan you want to upgrade to and follow the prompts to confirm the purchase.
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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › mac-computers › s569p-want-upgrade-icloud-storage-plan-299-00.html
Upgrade iCloud Storage on iPhone 12: Step-by-Step Guide
June 3, 2025 - To resolve iCloud storage upgrade issues on iPhone 12, ensure your device is signed into the correct Apple ID. Verify payment information in Settings > Apple ID > Payment & Shipping.
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MobileTrans
mobiletrans.wondershare.com › iphone-tips › get-more-icloud-storage-on-iphone.html
[100% Working] How to Get More iCloud Storage on iPhone in 2025
August 20, 2025 - Moreover, you can also get more iCloud storage on iPhone by deleting some unwanted files. However, if you don't know How to Get More iCloud Storage on iPhone, this article will find out. Let's get started! Part 1: Upgrade Your Storage Plan to Get More iCloud Storage on iPhone
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Skydocu
icloud.skydocu.com › en › storage-and-backup › change-your-storage-plan › upgrade-your-storage
Upgrade your storage - iCloud, iCloud Help
Open the iCloud Control Panel, then click Manage. Click Buy More Storage or Change Storage Plan (whichever you see). Select the amount of storage you want, then follow the instructions that appear. If you purchase a higher-tier storage plan to replace your existing storage plan (for example, ...
Top answer
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The terms are listed deep in this link to the iCloud terms and conditions:

The applicable storage fee for an upgraded storage plan will take effect immediately; downgrades to your storage plan will take effect on the next annual billing date.

So a literal interpretation would be you would not get any credit for the unused portion of the year you paid for the initial storage if you upsold yourself before that year term expired.

In practice, Apple has been generous with giving pro-rated refunds for AppleCare when you cancel it (but that is listed explicitly in the T&C for AppleCare) and has extended MobileMe storage for free - so you could either get the lower storage tier added to the end of the higher tier (which would be a bit of a complicated thing for Apple to track - especially if you did two buys in one year).

I suppose you could open a ticket with billing support to see if they have a current policy on how they handle up-sales from one paid tier to another, but I would expect the initial purchase to end when you upgrade to a higher tier before the anniversary unless you contact Apple and they offer you a credit or extension as an exception and not something that is programmed into the system.

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Here's what the Apple iCloud Help site says - hope it helps

Additional Information

If you purchase a higher-tier storage plan for your iCloud account to replace your existing storage plan (for example, a 20 GB plan to replace a 10 GB plan), the existing plan will be canceled and you will receive a prorated refund for the time remaining. The new storage plan is applied to your iCloud account and the annual payment date is updated to reflect the purchase date for the new plan.

Note: You can't use Apple Store gift cards as a form of payment to upgrade your iCloud storage (payment methods accepted include iTunes store credit, credit cards, and debit cards). If you don't have enough iTunes store credit to complete your upgrade, you'll be charged the remaining amount.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4874

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CBackup
cbackup.com › cbackup tutorials › 6 fixes: upgrade icloud storage not working on ios devices
6 Fixes: Upgrade iCloud Storage Not Working on iOS Devices
June 23, 2025 - Method 2. Upgrade to the Latest Version of iOS · Method 3. Log out and re-add the iCloud Account · Method 4. Reset the Network Settings · Method 5. View Apple System Status · Method 6. Contact with Apple ... Way 1. Free up Storage on iCloud
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iPhone Life
iphonelife.com › how-to › device management
How to Upgrade or Downgrade Your iCloud Storage
July 15, 2024 - If you use iCloud Drive to store and transfer a lot of files between devices, you might want to buy more iCloud storage. We'll show you how to change iCloud storage plans or cancel an iCloud subscription in iPhone Settings. Upgrade your iCloud Storage directly from your iPhone.
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MultCloud
multcloud.com › multcloud tutorials › how to increase icloud storage on iphone, mac, windows
How to Increase iCloud Storage on iPhone, Mac, Windows
February 27, 2024 - Check the following guide: 1. Choose the Apple icon from the menu bar, then choose System Settings or System Preferences. ... 3. Then click Change Storage Plan or Buy More Storage, and choose a plan to upgrade your iCloud storage on Mac.