How to delete an iCloud backup from your iPhone or iPad
To delete an iCloud backup, open Settings on the device you want to remove the backup from, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Scroll down and tap Manage Storage, then tap Backups. You will see a list of all devices that have backups stored in your iCloud account. Tap the device whose backup you want to delete, then tap Delete Backup at the bottom of the screen. Confirm by tapping Delete again.
The backup disappears when ready, and the storage space it was using becomes available in your iCloud account right away. You do not need to wait for anything to process. If you delete a backup and then want to restore from it later, you cannot — the data is gone. Make sure you have another way to access any information you need before you delete.
If you have multiple devices backing up to the same iCloud account, you will see all of them listed. You can delete backups from devices you no longer own, devices you have sold, or old backups from devices you still use. Deleting one device's backup does not affect backups from your other devices.
Key Takeaways
- Delete an iCloud backup by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups, then selecting the device and tapping Delete Backup.
- Deleted backups cannot be recovered, so confirm you do not need the data before you proceed.
- Freeing up iCloud storage by deleting backups happens when ready and does not require restarting your device.
- You can delete backups from devices you no longer use without affecting backups from devices you still own.
Why you might want to delete a backup
The most common reason to delete a backup is to free up iCloud storage space. Apple gives you 5 GB of free iCloud storage, and backups can easily use several gigabytes if your device has photos, videos, or a lot of apps. If you are running out of space and do not want to pay for more storage, deleting old backups is the fastest way to make room.
You might also delete a backup from a device you no longer use — an old iPhone, a tablet you sold, or a device that was lost or stolen. These backups take up space but serve no purpose if you cannot access the device anymore. Deleting them keeps your iCloud account clean and frees storage for backups from devices you actually use.
Another reason is privacy. If you sold a device or gave it to someone else, deleting its backup from your iCloud account ensures that no one can restore from it later using your account credentials.
How to check how much storage each backup uses
Before you delete a backup, you can see exactly how much space it is taking up. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups. Tap any device name, and the next screen shows the total backup size and a breakdown of what is using the most space — usually Photos, Messages, or app data.
This information helps you decide which backups to delete. If one device's backup is 8 GB and another is only 1 GB, you know which one will free up the most space. You can also see the date the backup was created, which helps if you have multiple backups from the same device and want to keep only the most recent one.
Deleting a backup from a Mac or Windows computer
If you manage your iCloud account from a Mac, go to System Settings, click your name in the sidebar, then click iCloud. Click Manage next to Storage, then click Backups. Select the device and click Delete. On Windows, open iCloud for Windows, click Storage, click Manage, select the device, and click Delete.
The process is the same as on an iPhone or iPad — the backup is removed when ready and the space becomes available. You do not need to be on the device itself to delete its backup; you can manage all your backups from any device that can access your iCloud account.
What happens after you delete a backup
Once you delete a backup, that specific backup is gone permanently. If you later want to restore that device from a backup, iCloud will not have that version anymore. You can still restore from a newer backup if one exists, or you can set up the device as new and let it create a fresh backup going forward.
Deleting a backup does not affect the data on your device itself. Your photos, messages, apps, and settings remain exactly as they are. A backup is just a copy stored in iCloud — deleting the copy does not change what is on your phone or tablet. The next time your device backs up to iCloud, it will create a new backup file with your current data.
If you run out of iCloud storage and cannot delete backups
If your iCloud account is completely full, you might not be able to create new backups or store new photos in iCloud Photos. Deleting old backups is the fastest way to make room without paying for more storage. You can also turn off iCloud Photos temporarily, delete photos from iCloud, or remove app data from backups by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage and tapping Edit next to individual apps.
If you need more storage long-term, Apple offers paid iCloud+ plans starting at 50 GB per month. But before you pay, delete any backups you do not need — many people find they have several old backups taking up space they forgot about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover a backup after I delete it?
No. Once you delete a backup from iCloud, it is gone permanently and cannot be recovered. Make sure you do not need any data from it before you delete. If you are unsure, you can restore from the backup to a device first, check what is in it, and then delete it.
Will deleting a backup delete photos or messages from my device?
No. A backup is a copy stored in iCloud. Deleting the backup does not change anything on your phone or tablet. Your photos, messages, apps, and settings stay exactly as they are. Only the copy in iCloud is removed.
What if I delete a backup by accident?
Unfortunately, there is no undo. The backup is deleted when ready and cannot be restored. If you have another backup from the same device, you can use that one instead. If not, you will need to set up the device fresh or restore from a backup on your computer if you have one.
Can I delete just part of a backup instead of the whole thing?
You cannot delete individual files from a backup. You can only delete the entire backup. However, you can choose which apps back up to iCloud before a new backup is created. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage, tap the device, then toggle off any apps you do not want backed up.
How often should I delete old backups?
There is no set schedule. Delete backups whenever you run low on iCloud storage or when you no longer need them. If you keep only the most recent backup from each device you currently use, you should have plenty of space unless your devices have very large amounts of data.