How to Delete Old Backups on iCloud (iPhone, Mac, Windows)

To delete old backups on iCloud, open your storage settings, find the Backups section, select the device backup you no longer need, and remove it.

That's the short version of how to delete old backups on iCloud, and it works the same basic way whether you're on an iPhone, a Mac, or Windows.

That sounds simple enough, and mostly it is. But there are a few things worth knowing before you start deleting, especially if you're not sure which backup is safe to remove.

What Happens When You Delete an iCloud Backup

Does deleting a backup remove data from my device?

No. A backup is a separate copy stored in iCloud. It's not connected to your device in real time.

Deleting it removes that stored copy only. Your photos, apps, messages, and settings currently on your phone or computer stay exactly where they are.

In practice, this is the question most people actually want answered before they touch anything, and it's the one that gets skipped over most often in Apple's own instructions.

What else changes when a backup is deleted

Two things happen automatically. First, iCloud Backup turns off for that specific device. Second, you can turn it back on later if you want that device to start backing up again.

Deleting a backup is a one-time cleanup action, not a permanent setting change.

How to Tell Which iCloud Backup Is Safe to Delete

This is where people tend to hesitate, and reasonably so. Your Backups list can show several devices, and not every name is obvious at a glance.

Signs a backup is old or unused

A backup is usually safe to remove if any of the following apply:

  • The device name doesn't match the phone or tablet you're currently using
  • The backup date is much older than the last time you used that device
  • You no longer own the device at all

Backups you should not delete

Two exceptions are worth flagging. You can't delete a backup that's currently being used to restore a device, Apple blocks that until the restore finishes.

And it's worth being cautious about deleting your current device's most recent backup unless you already have another copy of your data somewhere else, since that backup is your fallback if something goes wrong.

How to Delete Old Backups on iCloud (Step-by-Step)

The path is slightly different depending on what you're using, but the logic is the same everywhere: find the backup list, select the one you don't need, delete it.

Device

Where to Go

iPhone or iPad

Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Storage (or Manage Account Storage) > Backups

Mac

Apple menu > System Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage > Backups

Windows

iCloud for Windows app > Storage > Manage > Backups

How to Delete Old Backups on iCloud (iPhone or iPad)

  1. Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
  2. Tap iCloud, then tap Storage or Manage Account Storage.
  3. Tap Backups.
  4. Select the device whose backup you want to remove.
  5. Tap Turn Off and Delete from iCloud, then confirm.

On Mac

  1. Click the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
  2. Click your name, then click iCloud.
  3. Click Manage, then select Backups.
  4. Select the backup you want removed and click the remove option.
  5. Confirm when asked whether to delete the backup entirely.

On Windows

  1. Open the iCloud for Windows app.
  2. Click Storage, then Manage.
  3. Select Backups from the list on the left.
  4. Choose the backup you want to remove and click Delete.

Teams that handle device support regularly tend to point out the same thing: most confusion here isn't about clicking the delete button, it's about hesitating over which backup is the right one. If you followed the checks in the section above, that part should already be settled.

How Much Space You'll Free Up

There's no fixed number here, and any article promising one is guessing. Each backup listed in your Backups section shows its own size before you delete it, so you'll know roughly what you're reclaiming before you commit.

Larger, older backups from devices with a lot of photos or app data tend to free up more space than smaller, newer ones.

It helps to remember how little free space you start with. According to Wikipedia, iCloud gives every account 5 GB of free storage by default, which is why backups fill it up so fast if you're not on a paid plan.

The freed space usually reflects in your total iCloud storage shortly after deletion, though it isn't always instant.If deleting backups still doesn't free up enough room, upgrading is the other option.

Apple has steadily expanded its paid storage tiers over the years, and data from TechCrunch shows Apple added 6TB and 12TB iCloud+ plans on top of its existing options, so there's more room to grow into if cleanup alone isn't cutting it.

Can You Recover a Deleted iCloud Backup?

Once you manually delete a backup, it's gone. There's no undo button. This is different from the 180 day retention window Apple applies when iCloud Backup is simply turned off for a device rather than deleted outright, that window doesn't apply to a backup you've actively removed.

If you're genuinely unsure, the safer move is to wait and look at the backup list again later rather than delete right away.

What's often overlooked is that there's no downside to waiting a day or two, since old backups sitting in iCloud aren't doing any harm beyond using storage space.

Conclusion

Deleting old backups on iCloud is done from Storage settings on iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Windows.

It only removes the stored backup, not data on your device, and it's a straightforward way to reclaim iCloud space once you know which backup is safe to remove.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting an iCloud backup delete photos or files on my phone?

No. The backup is a separate stored copy in iCloud. Removing it doesn't touch photos, files, or apps currently on your device.

How do I know which iCloud backup is mine right now?

Check the device name and date in the Backups list. Your current device usually shows the most recent backup date and matches your device's actual name.

Can I delete an iCloud backup from Windows?

Yes. Open the iCloud for Windows app, go to Storage, then Manage, then Backups, and select the one you want to remove.

What happens to iCloud Backup after I delete a device's backup?

iCloud Backup turns off automatically for that device once its backup is deleted. You can turn it back on later if needed.

Can I get a deleted iCloud backup back?

No. Once you manually delete a backup, it can't be restored. This is different from the temporary retention window that applies when backup is simply turned off, not deleted.