Where to find and remove iCloud backups on your iPhone or iPad

You delete iCloud backups through your device's Settings app, not through iCloud.com. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, select iCloud, then tap Manage Storage. You'll see a list of devices with backups. Tap the device whose backup you want to remove, then tap Delete Backup at the bottom of the screen. Confirm by tapping Delete again.

The backup disappears when ready. iCloud frees up the storage space right away, though it may take a few minutes for your storage total to update on the screen. This action only removes the backup file — it doesn't delete anything from your device itself.

If you have multiple devices backed up to the same iCloud account, you'll see each one listed separately. You can delete backups from some devices while keeping others, so you have full control over which backups stay and which go.

Key Takeaways

  • iCloud backups are deleted through Settings on your device, not through a web browser or computer.
  • Deleting a backup removes only the backup file stored in iCloud, not the data currently on your phone or tablet.
  • You can delete backups from individual devices while keeping backups from other devices on the same account.
  • Storage space becomes available when ready after you delete a backup, though the total may take a few minutes to refresh.
  • If you delete a backup by mistake, you can create a new one by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tapping Back Up Now.

Why you might want to delete old backups

iCloud gives you 5 GB of free storage. Backups can easily use 2 to 4 GB depending on how many photos, messages, and app data you have. If you're running low on space and can't pay for more storage, deleting an old backup from a device you no longer use is the fastest way to free up room for a current backup.

You might also delete a backup if you sold or gave away a device and want to remove its data from your iCloud account. Deleting the backup doesn't affect the new owner — it only removes the file from your account.

Another reason to delete backups is to force a fresh start. If a backup is corrupted or contains settings you don't want to restore, deleting it and creating a new one can solve sync problems or unwanted behavior.

How to delete backups from a Mac or Windows computer

You can also manage backups through iCloud.com on any computer. Sign in to iCloud.com with your Apple ID, click Account Settings (the gear icon in the top right), then click Security. Scroll down to find Manage your backups and click Edit. You'll see your devices listed. Click the X next to any backup you want to remove, then confirm the deletion.

This method works the same way as deleting from your device — the backup is removed from iCloud and storage is freed up when ready. Use this route if you're at a computer and don't have your iPhone or iPad nearby, or if you prefer managing multiple backups at once.

What happens if you delete a backup by mistake

If you delete a backup and realize you needed it, the data is gone from iCloud. However, if the device still exists and is turned on, you can create a new backup right away. Go to Settings, tap your name, select iCloud, tap iCloud Backup, and tap Back Up Now. The new backup will include everything currently on the device.

If the device no longer exists or is turned off, you cannot recover the deleted backup. This is why it's worth waiting a few seconds before confirming the deletion — the confirmation screen gives you a chance to change your mind.

Understanding backup storage limits

Each iCloud account gets 5 GB of free storage shared across all backups, photos in iCloud Photos, and files in iCloud Drive. If you have three devices all backing up to the same account, they're all competing for that same 5 GB. When you run out of space, iCloud stops creating new backups until you delete old ones or pay for more storage.

You can see exactly how much storage each backup uses by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage. The list shows the device name and the size of its backup. This helps you decide which backups to delete if you need to free up space quickly.

If you pay for iCloud+ (50 GB, 200 GB, or 2 TB), you get more room for all backups combined. But even with paid storage, it's still worth deleting backups from devices you no longer use — it keeps your account organized and makes it easier to find the backups you actually need.

Preventing accidental backups you don't need

If you want to stop iCloud from backing up a device altogether, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and turn off the toggle. The existing backup stays in iCloud, but no new backups will be created. This is useful if you're about to sell a device and don't want it to keep syncing to your account.

You can turn iCloud Backup back on at any time. When you do, iCloud will create a new backup on the next scheduled backup time (usually when the device is plugged in, locked, and connected to Wi-Fi).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting an iCloud backup delete my photos and messages?

No. Deleting a backup only removes the backup file from iCloud. Your photos, messages, and other data on your device stay exactly as they are. If you use iCloud Photos or iCloud Mail, those are separate from backups and won't be affected.

Can I delete a backup from a device I no longer own?

Yes. You can delete any backup from your iCloud account through Settings on another device or through iCloud.com on a computer. The device doesn't need to exist or be turned on — you're just removing the backup file from your account.

What if I delete a backup and then want to restore from it later?

Once deleted, the backup is gone and cannot be restored. If you need the data from that backup, you would have to restore from a different backup or manually recover files if they're stored elsewhere. This is why the confirmation screen asks you to tap Delete twice.

Do I need to delete backups if I have iCloud+?

Not urgently. iCloud+ gives you 50 GB or more, so you have room for multiple backups. But deleting old backups from devices you no longer use still keeps your account organized and makes it easier to manage.

Will deleting a backup stop my device from syncing to iCloud?

No. Deleting a backup doesn't affect syncing. Your device will continue to back up to iCloud on its regular schedule. If you want to stop backups entirely, turn off the iCloud Backup toggle in Settings.