You can delete iCloud backups directly from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or through iCloud.com on any computer

iCloud stores automatic backups of your device, but these backups take up storage space in your iCloud account. If you have multiple devices backed up, or old backups you no longer need, deleting them frees up room for photos, documents, and other files. The process differs slightly depending on whether you're using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, but all methods take less than a minute.

Before you delete a backup, understand what you're removing: you're deleting the stored copy of your device's data from iCloud's servers, not the data on your device itself. Your photos, messages, and apps stay on your phone or computer. If you delete a backup and later need to restore from it, that option is gone — so only delete backups you're certain you won't need.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting an iCloud backup removes the stored copy from Apple's servers but does not delete anything from your actual device.
  • On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups, tap the backup you want to remove, and select Delete Backup.
  • On Mac, open System Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage, select the backup, and click Delete.
  • You can also delete backups from iCloud.com by signing in, going to Account Settings > iCloud > Manage Storage, and selecting the backup to remove.
  • If you have multiple devices, each one creates its own backup — deleting one does not affect backups from other devices.

Delete an iCloud backup from your iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top. Then tap iCloud, followed by Manage Storage. You'll see a list of what's using your iCloud space, including Backups. Tap Backups to see all the device backups stored in your account.

Find the backup you want to delete — it will show the device name and the date it was created. Tap on it, then tap Delete Backup at the bottom of the screen. A confirmation message will appear asking if you're sure. Tap Delete again to confirm. The backup is now removed from iCloud, and that storage space becomes available for other content.

If you have backups from multiple devices (for example, an iPhone and an iPad), each one appears separately in this list. Deleting one does not affect the others.

Delete an iCloud backup from your Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click your name in the sidebar, then click iCloud. Next, click Manage next to your iCloud storage bar.

A window opens showing what's using your iCloud space. Look for Backups in the list and click it to expand and see all your device backups. Select the backup you want to delete, then click Delete in the bottom-right corner. Confirm the deletion when prompted. The backup is removed immediately.

Delete an iCloud backup from iCloud.com

If you're using a Windows computer or simply prefer to manage backups through a web browser, you can delete them from iCloud.com. Go to iCloud.com in any web browser and sign in with your Apple ID and password.

Click Account Settings (the gear icon in the top-right corner), then click iCloud in the left sidebar. Click Manage Storage, then click Backups. You'll see a list of all device backups in your account. Click the one you want to delete, then click Delete. Confirm when prompted.

What happens when you delete a backup

Deleting a backup removes it from iCloud's servers permanently. You cannot recover a deleted backup. The storage space it was using becomes available for new backups, photos, or other iCloud content.

Your device itself is not affected. All your photos, messages, apps, and settings remain on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac exactly as they were. You're only removing the copy that iCloud had stored. If you later need to restore your device from a backup, you'll need to use a more recent backup or set up your device as new.

When to delete old backups

Delete a backup if you're certain you'll never need to restore from it. Common reasons include: you've upgraded to a new device and no longer use the old one, you've set up a device from scratch and don't need the old backup anymore, or you have multiple backups from the same device and only want to keep the most recent one.

If you're running low on iCloud storage and need to free up space quickly, deleting old backups is usually the fastest solution. Each device backup can range from a few hundred megabytes to several gigabytes, depending on how much data is on the device.

Preventing unwanted backups from taking up space

If you want to stop iCloud from backing up a device automatically, you can turn off backups for that device. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups, tap the device, and toggle off Back Up This iPhone (or iPad). On Mac, go to System Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage, select the device, and click Delete.

You can also reduce what gets backed up. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos and toggle off iCloud Photos if you don't want photos backed up to iCloud. Similar toggles exist for Mail, Contacts, Calendars, and other apps. Turning off backups for apps you don't need to restore saves storage space without deleting existing backups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting a backup delete the data from my phone?

No. Deleting an iCloud backup only removes the copy stored on Apple's servers. Everything on your device stays exactly where it is. You're not deleting your actual photos, messages, or apps — only the backup copy.

Can I delete a backup and then create a new one right away?

Yes. After you delete a backup, your device will create a new one the next time it backs up to iCloud, usually when your device is plugged in, locked, and connected to Wi-Fi. You can also manually start a backup by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups, tapping your device, and selecting Back Up Now (on iPhone or iPad).

What if I delete a backup by mistake?

If you delete a backup by mistake, you cannot recover it. Your device will create a new backup the next time it backs up automatically. If you need to restore from a backup, you'll have to use a different one or set up your device without restoring from a backup.

Do I need to delete old backups to make room for new ones?

Not necessarily. iCloud will keep creating new backups as long as you have storage space. However, if you're running out of storage, deleting old backups you no longer need is the quickest way to free up room. You can also buy more iCloud storage if you want to keep multiple backups.

Can I delete a backup from one device without affecting backups from other devices?

Yes. Each device has its own separate backup. Deleting the backup for your iPhone does not affect the backup for your iPad or Mac. You can delete backups individually without impacting other devices.