Family File Storage

For shared files, the family uses Google Drive. iCloud Drive is used individually — each person's own files on their own Apple devices. The home NAS handles media and backups behind the scenes.

Quick Reference

Shared Family Files: drive.google.com (Google Drive — preferred for sharing) Individual Files: iCloud Drive — personal, per Apple ID Media & Backups: Home NAS (nas02) — automatic, not user-facing

What Lives Where

File Type	Storage Location
Shared family documents, spreadsheets	Google Drive (drive.google.com)
Personal files (individual use)	iCloud Drive (per person)
Photos and videos	iCloud Photos (see Family Services)
Scanned important documents	Paperless-NGX (see Documents)
Passwords and credentials	1Password
TV shows, movies (our collection)	NAS02 → Jellyfin
Music	Spotify / Apple Music
Device backups	iCloud Backup (automatic)

How We Have It Set Up

Google Drive — Shared Family Files

Google Drive is the preferred place for anything shared between family members. It works on all devices and accounts, not just Apple, and makes it easy to share with people outside the family too (school, etc.).

• URL: drive.google.com
• Sign in as: dratspiker@gmail.com (password in 1Password → Google)
• iPhone/iPad: Google Drive app
• Mac: drive.google.com in browser, or Google Drive desktop app
• Web: drive.google.com

iCloud Drive — Individual Files

iCloud Drive is tied to each person's Apple ID, so it's best for personal files — your own stuff on your own devices. Desktop and Documents folder sync on Mac is a good use of iCloud Drive.

What it's good for:

• Your own files you don't need to share
• Desktop and Documents sync across your own Macs
• App-specific storage (many apps save to iCloud Drive automatically)

Storage: We have iCloud+ which gives expanded storage. Each family member's Apple ID has its own allocation.

NAS (nas02) — Media & Backups

The home NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a storage device that runs behind the scenes:

• Media storage: Movies and TV shows served by Jellyfin (see Watch Movies & TV Shows)
• Backups: Automated backups from Mac computers and iCloud
• Not user-facing: You don't need to browse the NAS directly — its contents are accessed through apps like Jellyfin

The NAS is only accessible on the home network. Matt manages it.

How to Use Google Drive

Browsing Files

iPhone/iPad: Open the Google Drive app → your files are on the Home or My Drive tab.

Mac: Go to drive.google.com in your browser → sign in as dratspiker@gmail.com.

Uploading a File

iPhone: In the Google Drive app, tap + → Upload → choose the file.

Mac: Drag files into the Google Drive window in your browser, or use the Google Drive desktop app.

Sharing a File or Folder

iPhone:

1. Long-press the file in the Drive app
2. Tap Share
3. Enter the person's email address, or tap Copy Link to share a link

Mac:

1. Right-click the file in Google Drive
2. Click Share
3. Add people by email or copy a shareable link

Accessing Files Shared with You

In the Google Drive app or website, tap Shared with me in the left sidebar.

How to Use iCloud Drive

Browsing Files

iPhone/iPad:

1. Open the Files app (blue folder icon)
2. Tap Browse at the bottom
3. Tap iCloud Drive to see your files

Mac:

1. Open Finder
2. Click iCloud Drive in the sidebar (left side)

Uploading a File

iPhone: Use the share sheet from another app (tap Share → Save to Files → iCloud Drive).

Mac: Drag files into the iCloud Drive folder in Finder, just like any local folder.

Device Access

Google Drive

Device	How to Access
iPhone/iPad	Google Drive app
Mac	drive.google.com in browser, or Google Drive desktop app
Web	drive.google.com — sign in as dratspiker@gmail.com

iCloud Drive

Device	How to Access
iPhone/iPad	Files app → Browse → iCloud Drive
Mac	Finder → iCloud Drive in sidebar
Web	icloud.com/iclouddrive — sign in with your Apple ID

Troubleshooting

Can't Find a Shared Google Drive File

1. Go to drive.google.com → Shared with me in the left sidebar
2. Make sure you're signed into the right account (dratspiker@gmail.com)
3. If a link was shared with you, open it and sign in when prompted

iCloud File Not Showing on Another Device

1. Check internet connection on both devices
2. Give it a minute — iCloud Drive sync can take a moment
3. On Mac: look for a cloud icon next to the file (it may still be downloading)
4. Pull down to refresh in the Files app on iPhone

"Not Enough iCloud Storage"

Text Matt — he manages the iCloud storage plan and can expand it or identify what's taking up space.

iCloud File Disappeared

1. Check iCloud Drive on web (icloud.com/iclouddrive) — it may still be there
2. iCloud Drive has a Recently Deleted folder — files are kept for 30 days after deletion

Can't Access NAS Content

The NAS is only accessible on the home network. For movies/TV, use Jellyfin — that handles the NAS content for you.