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.
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
| 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 Photos in 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) |
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.).
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:
Storage: We have iCloud+ which gives expanded storage. Each family member's Apple ID has its own allocation.
The home NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a storage device that runs behind the scenes:
The NAS is only accessible on the home network. Matt manages it.
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.
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.
iPhone:
Mac:
In the Google Drive app or website, tap Shared with me in the left sidebar.
iPhone/iPad:
Mac:
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 | 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 |
| 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 |
Text Matt — he manages the iCloud storage plan and can expand it or identify what's taking up space.
The NAS is only accessible on the home network. For movies/TV, use Jellyfin — that handles the NAS content for you.