You can delete an iCloud backup directly from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or through iCloud.com
iCloud stores backups of your device automatically, but old backups pile up and take up storage space you might need. You have two ways to remove them: through your device's settings (fastest on iPhone or iPad) or through iCloud.com (works from any computer or browser). Both methods delete the backup permanently — your device will create a new one the next time it backs up, usually overnight when plugged in and on Wi-Fi.
The backup you delete is separate from your actual files. Deleting a backup does not erase photos, messages, or documents on your device. It only removes the stored copy that iCloud keeps in case you need to restore your phone or tablet to an earlier state.
Key Takeaways
- Delete old iCloud backups through Settings on iPhone or iPad, or through iCloud.com from any device.
- Deleting a backup frees up iCloud storage space but does not affect files currently on your device.
- iCloud automatically creates a new backup the next time your device backs up, so you do not lose protection by removing old ones.
- If you have multiple devices backed up to the same iCloud account, you can delete backups from individual devices without affecting the others.
Delete a backup from your iPhone or iPad
Open Settings, 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 backed up to your iCloud account with the date of the most recent backup and how much space each one uses.
Tap the backup you want to delete. A red Delete Backup button appears at the bottom of the screen. Tap it, then confirm by tapping Delete again. The backup is removed when ready, and that storage space becomes available in your iCloud account.
If you have multiple devices, you can delete backups from any of them — deleting one device's backup does not affect backups from your other iPhone, iPad, or Mac. This is useful if you have an old phone you no longer use but its backup is still taking up space.
Delete a backup from your Mac
On a Mac running macOS 10.15 or later, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click your Apple ID at the top of the sidebar, then click iCloud. Click Manage, then look for Backups in the window that opens.
Click the backup you want to remove, then click Delete. Confirm the deletion. On older Macs, the path is slightly different — click iCloud in System Preferences, then click Manage, then select Backups — but the deletion process is the same.
Delete a backup through iCloud.com
Go to iCloud.com in any web browser and sign in with your Apple ID. Click Account Settings (the gear icon), then click iCloud. Scroll down to find Manage Your Storage or Backups, depending on your iCloud version.
Click Backups to see all devices. Select the backup you want to delete and click Delete. You will be asked to confirm. This method works from any computer or phone, even if it is not an Apple device, which makes it useful if you are away from your iPhone or Mac.
Why old backups take up so much space
Each backup includes your photos, messages, app data, settings, and device configuration from that point in time. If you have not deleted old backups in months or years, you may have five or ten backups stacked up, each one taking gigabytes of space. A single iPhone backup can easily be 20 to 100 gigabytes depending on how many photos and apps you have.
iCloud gives you 5 gigabytes free. If you back up multiple devices or take a lot of photos, you will run out quickly. Deleting backups from devices you no longer use is often the fastest way to free up space without paying for more storage.
What happens after you delete a backup
Your device will create a new backup the next time the conditions are met: your device is plugged in, connected to Wi-Fi, and the screen is locked (usually overnight). You will not see a notification when this happens — it runs in the background.
If you need to restore your device before a new backup is created, you will not have a recent backup to restore from. For most people this is not a problem, but if you are about to sell or give away a device, consider waiting for a new backup to complete before deleting the old one.
Deleting backups when you are out of storage space
If your iCloud storage is full and you cannot read or back up, deleting old backups is usually the fastest fix. You do not need to buy more storage if you have backups you no longer need. Start with backups from devices you no longer own or use — an old iPhone 8 or a Mac you replaced — since those backups serve no purpose.
After you delete a backup, it can take a few minutes for iCloud to update your available storage. If you are still out of space after deleting, check whether your Photos are set to back up to iCloud (they often are, and they take up significant space). You can also delete old backups from other devices or consider whether you need to keep backups from every device you have ever owned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting a backup erase my photos or messages?
No. Deleting a backup only removes the stored copy in iCloud. Your actual photos, messages, and files on your device are not affected. A backup is a snapshot taken at a specific time — removing it does not change what is currently on your phone or tablet.
Can I delete a backup from a device I no longer have?
Yes. You can delete backups from any device through iCloud.com or through any other device on the same iCloud account. You do not need the original device to remove its backup.
How often does iCloud create a new backup?
iCloud backs up automatically once per day when your device is plugged in, connected to Wi-Fi, and locked. It does not back up on a fixed schedule — it happens whenever those three conditions are met, usually overnight.
What if I delete a backup by mistake?
Once deleted, a backup cannot be recovered. However, iCloud will create a new backup the next time your device backs up, so you will have a recent backup going forward. If you need to restore from an older point in time, you will need to use a different backup or restore from your computer if you have one.
Do I need to keep multiple backups of the same device?
No. iCloud keeps only the most recent backup of each device. Older backups are replaced automatically, so you do not accumulate them unless you are backing up multiple different devices to the same account.