How to Delete Old Backups on iCloud

Old iCloud backups quietly eat into your free 5GB of storage. This guide covers how to delete old backups on iCloud from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, what happens afterward, and how to tell which ones are actually safe to remove.

How to Delete Old Backups on iCloud in 4 Steps

Open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud. Tap Manage Account Storage (or Storage), then Backups. Tap the device backup you no longer need, then confirm the delete.

That's the whole process on a phone or tablet Mac uses a slightly different menu, covered below. Apple's free tier has held at 5GB since iCloud's 2011 launch, according to Wikipedia, which is why old backups pile up so fast for most people.

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Delete Old iCloud Backups on iPhone or iPad

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
2. Tap iCloud, then Manage Account Storage (some versions just say Storage).
3. Tap Backups.
4. Tap the name of the device whose backup you want gone.
5. Tap Turn Off and Delete from iCloud, then confirm.

In practice, most people land here after getting a storage-full warning, not out of routine housekeeping. That's fine the steps work the same either way.

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How to Delete Old Backups on iCloud: What Happens Afterward

Deleting Old Backups on iCloud Also Turns Off Backup for That Device

Deleting a backup isn't the same as clearing a cache. It removes the stored copy and switches off automatic backing up for that specific device going forward.

You can turn it back on

If you change your mind, iCloud Backup can be re-enabled from the same screen at any time. A fresh backup will simply start building from scratch.

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Delete Old iCloud Backups on Mac

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Click the Apple menu, then System Settings.
2. Click your name, then iCloud.
3. Click Manage, then select Backups.
4. Select the backup you want to remove and click the minus (–) button.
5. Confirm when prompted.

Removing a Backup vs. Deleting a Device Entirely

There's a small distinction worth knowing. Removing one backup just clears that stored snapshot.

Choosing to delete and stop backups for a device removes the snapshot and stops future ones similar to the iPhone flow above.

If the goal is simply freeing space without breaking future backups, only delete backups tied to devices you've genuinely retired.

How to Tell If a Backup Is Safe to Delete

Not every old-looking backup is actually safe to remove. A quick gut check helps before tapping delete on anything.

Backup Type	Generally Safe to Delete?	Why
Device you no longer own or use	Yes	No future restore need
Duplicate/older backup of your current phone	Usually yes	Newest backup covers current data
Backup currently restoring a device	No	Apple blocks deletion until restore finishes
Only backup of an active, in-use device	No	Removing it leaves no recovery point

Interestingly, this is where people get tripped up most deleting the only existing backup of a phone they're still actively using, then realizing there's no fallback if something goes wrong later.

What to Know Before You Delete a Backup

iCloud Keeps Backups for 180 Days

Once you stop backing up a device, that backup isn't wiped instantly. It stays available for around 180 days, which gives some breathing room if you're unsure whether you'll need it.

Deleting a Backup Doesn't Touch Your Device

This trips people up constantly. Removing a backup from iCloud has no effect on the photos, messages, or apps currently sitting on your phone. It only removes the cloud copy.

Consider Backing Up Elsewhere First

If a device holds anything genuinely irreplaceable, copying it to a computer or an external drive before deleting the iCloud version isn't a bad habit. It's an extra step, but a cheap one against a mistake that's hard to undo.

iCloud backups can also be end-to-end encrypted through Apple's Advanced Data Protection feature, as reported by TechCrunch, which is worth knowing if you're weighing how sensitive a given backup is before deciding whether to keep or delete it.

Troubleshooting: Can't Select or Delete a Backup

Backup Option Appears Greyed Out

This usually means that backup is currently being used to restore a device, or it's the only backup available and the system is treating it as active. Wait until any restore finishes, then try again.

Only One Backup Listed / Can't Select Individually

Some older iOS versions show backups as a single block rather than a list with individual checkboxes.

In that case, there's no partial deletion it's the whole device backup or nothing. Updating iOS sometimes resolves this display issue, though not always.

Backup Missing From the List

If a device backup isn't showing up, it may have already expired past the 180-day window, or the device was signed out of iCloud entirely.

Neither is reversible from the Backups screen.

Other Ways to Free Up iCloud Storage

Deleting old backups isn't the only lever. Turning off backup for specific apps (under the same Backups menu) keeps the device backup itself but trims what it includes.

Upgrading to iCloud+ is the other obvious option if deleting things isn't realistic.

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Conclusion

Deleting old iCloud backups takes a few taps on iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and it's reversible in the sense that backups simply rebuild over time.

The main thing to check first is whether you're removing the only backup of a device you still use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting an iCloud backup delete photos or messages from my phone?

No. It only removes the stored cloud copy. Anything currently on your device stays exactly where it is.

Can I undo an iCloud backup deletion?

Not directly. Once deleted, that specific backup is gone, though a new one will start forming the next time the device backs up.

How long do iCloud backups last before they expire?

Around 180 days after a device stops backing up to iCloud, based on Apple's stated retention window.

Can I delete a backup from iCloud.com instead of my device?

This isn't confirmed as a supported option backup management is documented through device Settings (iPhone, iPad, Mac), not the iCloud.com web interface.

Does deleting a backup free up space right away?

Yes, the freed storage typically reflects in your iCloud usage almost immediately after confirming the deletion.