How to sign in and use iCloud on your Android phone or tablet

Most Apple services, including iCloud, don’t technically have Android apps or a built-in way to access your cloud storage. This makes it tricky if you use both iOS and Android platforms or are switching from Apple to a different brand, such as switching from an iPad to an Android tablet.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t access your files and photos from your favorite Android phone. It won’t be as simple as accessing it from an iPhone, iPad or Mac, but you can still access stored data, make updates and manage iCloud services. That’s how.

Access your data through the iCloud website

Getting your iCloud data from an Android device is as easy as opening the iCloud website in your browser. You’ll want to have your Apple ID information handy, or make sure your password manager is up and running on your Android phone.

1. Go to icloud.com in your browser.

2. Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
3. You are asked for a six-digit code for two-factor authentication.

4. Check your iPhone, MacBook or iPad for a message asking you to verify access. To select Allow and then enter the six-digit code on your Android device.

5. If you don’t have access to the Apple devices you’re signed in to, use a phone number associated with your iCloud account or a backup code you previously obtained from Apple. If you don’t have them, you can’t access your account.
6. If the Android device you are using is the one you intend to use again for this purpose, select Trust so you don’t have to enter the verification code next time. Don’t do this on a device you don’t own.
7. You are directed to your iCloud account.

As Apple warns, there are some caveats about your iCloud data being accessed by non-Apple devices, but it’s in a pretty good state. iCloud works best in Safari and is compatible with Firefox, Chrome, Edge and Opera.

iCloud features available on Android devices

Apple services work best on Apple devices. You can access all your data, including photos, notes, mail, contacts and iWork documents. However, if you use iCloud via the web, things are a little more limited, even if Apple has expanded compatibility over time.

• Photos
• iCloud Drive
• Notes
• Mail
• Calendars
• Contacts
• Memorandum
• Pages, Numbers or Keynote
• Find my account details

This gives you most of the important iCloud features you might need. You can also share iCloud files with others for work projects or ask others to share files with you without running into any problems. However, you’re limited to 1GB of storage unless you currently pay for an extended tier.

Added iCloud+

If you pay for iCloud+, you get access to some extra features on Android. iCloud+ gives you the option to hide my email, as well as choose a custom email domain for more customization.

If you are switching from iPhone to Android, you will need to bring the contacts that you have stored in your iPhone to your Android device. But logging into iCloud.com from your mobile browser doesn’t help. Some apps on the Play Store let you do this task, but it’s more reliable to take the long route here and use a desktop computer.

1. Open icloud.com in a browser tab on your PC or Mac.
2. To select Contacts.

3. Select the contacts you want to copy by pressing and holding the Move key and highlighting contacts.
4. Click the Gear icon in the lower left corner and select Export vCards. A .vcf file containing the contacts is saved on your computer.

5. Transfer this file to your Android device, either with a USB cable, via Bluetooth, or using a cloud storage service like Google Drive.
6. Open the Contacts apps on your Android device.
7. Go to the app Settings and select Import.
8. Choose to import contacts from a .vcf file.

9. Select the vCard file you transferred to your storage. Import the contacts you copied from iCloud.

More goodness from Apple to Android

Accessing your iCloud data on Android is not the best experience. However, some of your stuff can be accessed through the iCloud web interface. Looking for Android-based replacements for other Apple services? Check out our top picks for Apple Fitness+ alternatives and Apple News alternatives. There’s no one-to-one replacement for either, but our recommendations are as close as you’ll get.