Apple iCloud’s junk free storage offering is barely enough to top it off. You’ll hit that 5GB ceiling pretty quickly, as many native apps and services share this. Even if you use any of the paid storage tiers, this is likely an issue with iCloud Photos playback. That’s why you have to play an active role in managing it.
Typically, a significant portion of your iCloud storage quota is filled by iOS and iPadOS system backups. And this provides a convenient opportunity to reclaim some storage, especially if you are no longer using the device associated with a particular backup. Or if you are planning to use alternative methods to backup your iPhone or iPad.
While you can easily delete system backups from iCloud via an iPhone, iPad, Mac or PC, you should also be aware of the possible consequences. Before we dive into the actual process of removing unwanted backups, let’s start by going through them first.
What Happens When You Delete a Backup?
iCloud backups of your iOS or iPadOS devices, app data, device settings, messages, etc. Contains important information such as This allows you to easily restore data backups on your devices in case of data corruption, which makes it very important to have backups around. For example, if you lose your iPhone or iPad, you can also set up new devices using older backups.
However, if you’re sure you don’t need them, you can still safely delete them. For example, you might have a backup of a device you used years ago, in which case it’s only in iCloud and takes up valuable space. You can also delete iCloud backups for all existing devices, provided you back them up to a PC or Mac using iTunes or via the Finder in macOS Catalina.
That said, it’s useful for deleting unwanted photos, alternative photo backup services, turning off unwanted apps from using iCloud, etc. There are other ways to free up iCloud storage, such as You can also configure what is backed up when performing an iCloud. backup that allows you to drastically reduce the storage used by iCloud backups in the first place – read our guide to freeing up iCloud storage for more details.
Finally, deleting a backup from iCloud will automatically turn off iCloud backups for the specific device if you’re still using the device. This means it will no longer automatically back up to iCloud when connected to a power source. To continue using the service, you must manually enable iCloud backups on the device.
Deleting iCloud Backups Using iPhone/iPad
On iPhone and iPad, you can easily remove iCloud backups for any of your devices using the iPhone/iPad Settings app.
Stage 1: Tap your profile in the iPhone/iPad Settings app. Tap iCloud on the screen below.
Step 2: Tap Manage Storage below the iCloud Storage indicator. Tap Backups on the screen below.
Stage 3: Select the backup you want to remove, then tap Delete.
Note:
Step 4: Tap Close & Delete to confirm.
Repeat for any other backups you want to delete. Go back later and you’ll see the space savings reflected in the iCloud Storage indicator. If you don’t see an immediate decrease in used storage, give it a few minutes.
How to Delete iCloud Backups Using Mac
You can immediately remove unwanted backups from your Mac via System Preferences, provided you’re signed in with the same Apple ID you use on your iOS or iPadOS devices.
Stage 1: Open the Apple menu and then click System Preferences.
Step 2: When System Preferences appears, click on Apple ID.
Note:
Stage 3: Click the Manage button next to the iCloud Storage indicator.
Step 4: Click on the side tab labeled Backups.
Step 5: Select the backup you want to delete and then click on the small Delete icon as shown in the screenshot below.
Step 6: Click Delete to confirm.
Repeat for any other backups you want to delete. When you’re done, exit the System Preferences applet.
Deleting iCloud Backups Using Windows
On Windows, you can delete iCloud backups for your iPhone or iPad via the iCloud for Windows app. If it is not installed, you can get it from the Apple website or Microsoft Store. However, installing the app through the Microsoft Store is not only convenient, it’s also a much improved version of iCloud with less hassle and improved functionality.
Stage 1: Click the iCloud icon in the taskbar, and then click Open iCloud Settings to open the iCloud app.
Step 2: Click the button labeled Storage next to the iCloud Storage indicator.
Stage 3: Click on the side tab labeled Backups.
Step 4: Select the backup you want to delete and then click Delete.
Step 5: Click Delete again in the confirmation popup box to remove the iCloud backup.
Remove any other iCloud backups if you want, and exit the iCloud app when you’re done.
Open air
Managing your iCloud storage is very important because if iCloud runs out of space, the entire Apple ecosystem falls apart. But once again, do not rush to delete your iCloud backups. Make alternate backups of your iPhone or iPad beforehand unless you’re absolutely sure you don’t need to have them lying around. Note that you can also try other ways to reduce iCloud usage.
Next: Google Drive is an excellent alternative to iCloud. Find out how they stack up against each other.
