Discover the history and features of Cloud Orange, the former online storage service from the historic French operator. Learn why it was closed to individuals and what the best current alternatives are for your secure storage needs.
The Cloud Orange was the online storage service offered by Orange, the historic French operator. This service allowed subscribers to benefit from comprehensive online storage space, as well as an integrated physical storage space within the Livebox. Although this service gained notable popularity for its practical features, it was permanently closed to the general public in July 2019. This article revisits its main characteristics and explains the current alternatives to meet storage needs.
Return to the Features of Cloud Orange
Before its closure, Cloud Orange allowed users to access up to 100 GB of online storage. This offered the possibility of storing files such as photos, videos, music, and documents. An integrated 1 TB hard drive in the Livebox also provided local storage space. Users could access their content from multiple devices via the Cloud Orange app. This service also allowed for downloading or restoring files on another device in case of theft or loss.
- Discover the definition of Cloud
- Reset the Orange portal as the homepage
What is Cloud Orange? A Skilled Marriage Between Cloud Storage and Physical Storage
Cloud Orange offered an innovative solution combining online storage and integrated physical storage in the Livebox. It allowed users to store and organize their files seamlessly and accessibly.
Users could display their photos in full screen and rotate them for viewing from all angles. Additionally, they could access detailed information, including file type, dimensions, date taken, date added, and even the source of the images. Photos could be sorted by theme or folder, allowing the creation of personalized albums.
Cloud Orange also allowed high-definition video storage with intuitive organization. Videos recorded from a smartphone or camcorder were compatible with most formats. Moreover, they could be streamed from any device thanks to the Cloud Orange app, available on Android and iOS. The integrated video player enabled users to watch videos in streaming without downloading, ensuring fast and smooth playback.
Users could also store and organize their audio files. Tracks could be sorted by theme, year, artist, or album, greatly simplifying music management. An integrated audio player allowed users to stream tracks while preserving sound quality. Furthermore, it ensured a smooth listening experience on any device without the need for prior downloads.
Thus, Cloud Orange facilitated access and management of its users’ multimedia content. To achieve this, it combined a user-friendly interface with mobile access and a secure backup solution.
Cloud Orange: Automatic Backup is One of Its Main Strengths
One of the most appreciated features of Cloud Orange was its automatic backup capability. This option allowed for continuous backup of photos, videos, contacts, and even the calendar directly to the cloud. This way, users could switch devices confidently while retaining all their important data. This functionality also extended to computers, whether PC or Mac. Users could select specific folders to automatically back up.
Cloud Orange also stood out for its ease of file sharing. Whether it was photos, videos, music tracks, or documents, users could easily share them with their loved ones. Files could be sent via email, SMS, or shared directly on social networks like Facebook and Twitter. Additionally, a sharing link allowed users to transmit files simply and securely, ensuring smooth and rapid content distribution.
These options for automatic backup and simplified sharing made Cloud Orange an essential tool for managing and protecting data while facilitating accessibility and dissemination.
Cloud Orange: A Redesign Before the End of The Service
On July 11, 2017, Cloud Orange received a completely new design aimed at enhancing user experience. Videos and photos were grouped within a user-friendly gallery accessible directly from the homepage.
This gallery, by default, displayed all multimedia content, but users could choose to filter the display to show only photos or videos. The gallery allowed for personalized sorting of images while videos were automatically sorted by date added. Users could also adjust thumbnail sizes for optimal viewing.
One popular feature of this design was the ability to launch a slideshow from the gallery. By selecting multiple files and clicking on the dedicated option, users could create personalized slideshows, adjusting the duration of transitions and visual effects according to their preferences.
Cloud Orange: Data Security, A Priority Before The End of The Service
Cloud Orange was distinguished by its strong focus on the data security of its users. Unlike most cloud services, Orange hosted data on servers located in France, thus providing additional guarantees in terms of confidentiality and respect for privacy, in accordance with French legislation and strict data protection standards.
To secure access, Cloud Orange required a unique identifier and a password for each user. On smartphones and tablets, an additional lock code was required to access the app. The app also automatically locked when the device went to sleep, ensuring continuous security.
File transfers were protected by HTTPS encryption, ensuring data confidentiality during transmission.
Orange’s data centers were also heavily protected. They had 24/7 monitoring, fire protection via smoke detection and water mist systems, and data duplication to prevent any loss in case of an incident. In the event of a power outage, backup equipment (generators, air conditioning systems) ensured service continuity.
A lock code was also required to access the app on smartphones or tablets. If the user exited the application or put their smartphone to sleep, the app would automatically lock.
Cloud Orange: Pricing and Availability
Cloud Orange was offered free of charge with the main Livebox packages from Orange, except for the Livebox Discovery package. Subscribers to the Livebox Zen and Livebox Play packages benefited from 10 GB of online storage, while Livebox Jet subscribers could enjoy 100 GB of space. For users of the Livebox Discovery package wishing to obtain 100 GB of online storage, a paid option was available for 5 euros per month.
Cloud Orange Reviews
The Cloud Orange service received mixed reviews from users. While some appreciated the seamless integration with Livebox packages and the security of data hosted in France, others found the storage limitations and interface sometimes less intuitive compared to alternatives in the market. It is important to note that the Cloud Orange service was permanently closed in July 2019 for individuals.
Today, users can turn to alternative storage solutions such as Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or pCloud, which offer flexible, secure storage options often integrated with other services.
Update: Termination of Cloud Orange Public Service
Starting October 4, 2018, Orange modified its Livebox packages, marking the end of the Cloud Orange availability for individual customers. From this date, the service entered a “limited access” mode, allowing users only to view and recover their files. New subscriptions and automatic backups, including emails, SMS, photos, and videos, were disabled. More information can be found at this link.
Orange encouraged its customers to quickly retrieve their data, stating that files may no longer be accessible after a certain delay.
More than six months after the service’s availability ceased, users had a few extra days to download their files before the final closure of the service. While local storage via the Livebox 4 remained an option, the online cloud service ceased to operate. This decision was made due to the low uptake of the service, with only 7% of subscribers actively using Cloud Orange, making its maintenance too costly. The official and final closure of the service took place on July 7, 2019.
Reorientation Towards Professional Cloud Solutions
Simultaneously, CloudWatt, the professional version of Orange’s cloud, also shut down at the beginning of 2020. Orange is now focusing its efforts on cloud services for businesses. These OpenStack solutions were designed in partnership with Huawei. The software part, cybersecurity, and hosting are now managed by various subsidiaries of Orange Business Services. This reinforces the operator’s focus on the professional market.
What Are The Best Alternatives to Cloud Orange in 2025?
Since the closure of Cloud Orange, several services have emerged as reliable alternatives for online storage. Among them, Google Drive remains an essential choice due to its seamless integration with the Google ecosystem and 15 GB of free storage. It is ideal for users of Google Docs and Android.
Dropbox, a pioneer in the cloud space, attracts users with its simplicity and fast synchronization. However, its free offer is limited to 2 GB, making paid usage almost necessary.
OneDrive is the best solution for Microsoft users. With 5 GB offered and perfect integration with Office 365, it is particularly suitable for professionals and students.
For those prioritizing privacy, pCloud is an excellent alternative. This Swiss service offers enhanced encryption and the option of a one-time payment for lifetime storage.
Finally, iCloud remains the best option for Apple users, offering 5 GB of free storage and native synchronization with iOS and macOS.
The choice of the right service therefore depends on individual needs: integration with existing tools, storage space, or data security.
Cloud Avenue from Orange Business
Cloud Avenue has obtained the SecNumCloud 3.2 qualification awarded by ANSSI for its eco-responsible data center in Grenoble. This guarantees a high level of security, compliance, and digital sovereignty, enabling it to meet the needs of sensitive sectors, including health, defense, and public services.
But what is Cloud Avenue? It is an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) solution hosted in France, aimed at companies looking to migrate to the cloud securely while maintaining sovereignty over their data.
The platform offers a complete IaaS, PaaS, and CaaS service deployed across various French data centers, with advanced services like GPU as a service and containerization via OpenShift.
Cloud Avenue also complies with the French cloud doctrine. It provides modular services as a service with local key management, network isolation, and complete traceability.
Orange Business also highlights a trend toward cloud hybridization among its clients, which combines sovereign cloud and hyperscalers according to needs, offering better control over costs and data.
FAQ
Cloud Orange was the online storage service offered to Orange subscribers. It combined online storage space (up to 100 GB depending on the plan) and a physical hard drive integrated into the Livebox for backing up photos, videos, music, and documents. The service also allowed users to restore their files on another device in case of loss or theft.
No. The service was gradually shut down for individual customers between 2018 and 2019. Since July 7, 2019, it has no longer been possible to sign up or store files on Cloud Orange. Users were only allowed to recover their data for a limited period before the final closure.
Several services effectively replace Cloud Orange:
Google Drive: 15 GB free, ideal for Android and Google Docs users.
Dropbox: fast synchronization and user-friendly, but free offer limited to 2 GB.
OneDrive: 5 GB free, great for Microsoft and Office 365 users.
pCloud: Swiss service with advanced encryption and option for a one-time payment for lifetime storage.
iCloud: 5 GB free, native syncing for Apple devices.
