How Do I Delete Old iCloud Backups from My Account

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To delete old iCloud backups from your account, you'll need to access the Settings app on your device.

iCloud backups are stored in the cloud and can take up a significant amount of space.

To view your iCloud backup list, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Storage > Manage Storage.

You can also view your backup list by going to the iCloud website on a computer and signing in with your Apple ID.

From there, you can see a list of all your backed-up devices and the date of the last backup.

If this caught your attention, see: Backup Your Computer to Dropbox

Deleting iCloud Backup

To delete an iCloud backup, start by going to System Preferences from your dock or Finder.

From System Preferences, select iCloud. If you're asked to sign in, do so.

You'll then see a list of options, including the backup you want to delete.

Select the backup you wish to delete, and from the bottom of the screen, choose Delete.

Managing iCloud

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To manage your iCloud storage effectively, start by deleting old backups. You can delete iCloud backups on your Mac by going to System Preferences and selecting iCloud.

After removing old backups, you can take control of your iCloud storage. To do this, you'll need to delete the backup you no longer need. From the iCloud page, select the backup you wish to delete.

To confirm the deletion, choose Delete from the bottom of the screen. A pop-up will appear, and you'll need to choose Delete again to finalize the process.

Deleting on Mac

To delete an iCloud backup on your Mac, you can follow these steps. Click the Apple menu and choose System Settings (or System Preferences). Select your Apple Account, then go to iCloud > Manage.

To locate backups and delete them, you can click Backups from the sidebar. Select the backup to delete and click Delete, then confirm the deletion. You can also use the steps outlined in the table below to delete backups on your Mac.

Remember to confirm the deletion to ensure the backup is removed from your iCloud account.

Deleting on Windows Computer

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If you're using a Windows computer, you can delete your iCloud backup by launching iCloud for Windows and selecting Storage.

To access the Storage section, look for it on the left pane.

You can then choose Backups on the right pane.

This is where you'll find the iOS device whose backup you want to delete.

Select the device, and finally, select Delete to complete the process.

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B. On Mac

On a Mac, you can manage iCloud backups directly from your device. To start, click the Apple menu and choose System Settings (or System Preferences).

You'll then select your Apple Account. From there, go to iCloud > Manage. Click Backups to view your stored backups.

To delete a backup, select the one you want to remove and click Delete. Confirm the deletion to complete the process.

Here's a quick reference guide to help you navigate the process:

Remember to confirm the deletion to ensure the backup is completely removed.

Preparing to Delete

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Before you start deleting old iCloud backups, it's essential to identify which ones are outdated or tied to devices you no longer use. This will help you free up valuable storage space and improve iCloud performance.

To do this, take a look at your backup list and check the device name and last backup date. For example, you might have a backup from an iPhone 12 on September 5, 2023, or an iPad Pro on August 20, 2023. If you're unsure about a particular backup, you can extract data using tools like AnyTrans for iOS or CopyTrans Shelbee.

Deleting a backup disables scheduled backups for that device, so be sure to re-enable this in Settings after deletion. Also, keep in mind that once deleted, data is permanently removed, so make sure virus scans have been performed and backups are not infected or compromised.

Explore further: Linode Backups

Preparing to

Before you delete an iCloud backup, it's essential to know what you're getting into. Only delete backups you're certain are outdated or tied to devices you no longer use.

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You should identify the correct backup using device names and dates, like the example shows: iPhone 12 with a last backup date of September 5, 2023, or iPad Pro with a last backup date of August 20, 2023.

Deleting a backup disables scheduled backups for that device, so you'll need to re-enable this in Settings afterwards.

Make sure virus scans have been performed and backups are not infected or compromised, as once deleted, data is permanently removed.

If you're unsure about what data is in a backup, you can extract it using tools like AnyTrans for iOS or CopyTrans Shelbee.

Why Old Matters

Old backups can quickly eat up your 5GB of free iCloud storage, leaving you with limited space for new files and data.

You might be surprised at how fast those old backups add up, making it essential to regularly manage your iCloud storage.

Deleting old backups can help you free up valuable space, giving you more room to store important files and data.

Here are the benefits of deleting old iPhone backups:

  • Free up valuable iCloud storage space
  • Improve iCloud performance
  • Remove data from devices you no longer own
  • Keep your iCloud account organized
  • Potentially save money on iCloud subscription costs

Deleting on iPad or iPod Touch

Credit: youtube.com, How to Delete Old iPhone or iPad Backups from iCloud

Deleting an iCloud backup on an iPad or iPod Touch is a relatively straightforward process. Go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud.

To manage your iCloud storage, tap Manage Account Storage > Backups. You'll see a list of devices with backups stored in your iCloud.

To delete a backup, select a device, then toggle off backup syncing for individual apps. To delete all backups from the device and stop future backups on iCloud, tap Delete & Turn Off Backup.

Here are the steps in a concise format:

  1. Go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud.
  2. Tap Manage Account Storage > Backups.
  3. Select a device, then toggle off backup syncing for individual apps.
  4. Tap Delete & Turn Off Backup.

Remember to confirm your action by tapping Turn Off & Delete.

iOS and macOS Guides

If you're using an iPhone or iPad with iOS 17 or later, deleting an iCloud backup is a straightforward process. Open the Settings app and tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen.

To delete an iCloud backup on iOS 17 or later, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
  2. Tap your Apple ID (your name) at the top of the screen
  3. Select iCloud
  4. Tap Manage Account Storage or iCloud Storage
  5. Select Backups
  6. You'll see a list of devices with backups stored in your iCloud
  7. Tap on the backup device you want to delete
  8. Scroll to the bottom and tap Delete Backup
  9. Confirm by tapping Turn Off & Delete

If you're using an older iOS version, like iOS 16 or earlier, the process is similar, but with a few slight differences. You'll still need to open Settings and tap your Apple ID at the top.

Credit: youtube.com, How To Delete Old iCloud Backups - Free Up Space

To delete an iCloud backup on older iOS versions, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings on your device
  2. Tap your Apple ID at the top
  3. Select iCloud
  4. Tap Storage or Manage Storage
  5. Select Backups
  6. Tap the backup device you want to remove
  7. Tap Delete Backup at the bottom
  8. Confirm by tapping Turn Off & Delete

If you're using a Mac with macOS Ventura or later, deleting an iCloud backup is also relatively easy. Just click the Apple menu and select System Settings.

To delete an iCloud backup on macOS Ventura or later, follow these steps:

  1. Click the Apple menu (Apple logo) in the top-left corner
  2. Select System Settings
  3. Click on your Apple ID at the top of the sidebar
  4. Select iCloud
  5. Click Manage next to your storage bar
  6. Select Backups from the sidebar
  7. Click on the backup you want to delete
  8. Click Delete and then Delete again to confirm

How to Delete

To delete an iCloud backup, you'll need to use the iCloud for Windows application. Launch iCloud for Windows and select Storage from the menu.

You'll see a left pane with various options, and you should choose Backups from this list. This will display the right pane, where you can manage your iCloud backups.

Pick the iOS device whose backup you want to delete from the list in the right pane. Finally, select Delete to confirm the deletion of the backup.

Take a look at this: Azure Backup and Recovery

How to

To delete old iPhone backups in iCloud, you'll need to access your iCloud settings. Launch the Settings app from your device's home screen.

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From the Settings menu, tap on your name or Apple ID banner at the top of the screen. This will give you access to your iCloud account information.

Next, scroll down and select "iCloud" from the list of options. This will open your iCloud settings menu.

In the iCloud settings menu, tap on "Manage Storage." This will give you an overview of your iCloud storage usage, including the space taken up by your backups.

Under the "STORAGE" section, tap on "Backups." This will display a list of all the devices backed up to your iCloud account, including the ones you want to delete.

To delete a specific backup, select it from the list and tap on "Delete Backup" at the bottom of the screen. A confirmation pop-up will appear, asking if you're sure you want to delete the backup.

To confirm, tap on "Turn Off & Delete." This will remove the selected backup from your iCloud account, freeing up storage space.

Here's a step-by-step guide to deleting old iPhone backups in iCloud:

  • Launch the Settings app
  • Tap on your name or Apple ID banner
  • Scroll down and select "iCloud"
  • Tap on "Manage Storage"
  • Under "STORAGE", tap on "Backups"
  • Select the backup to delete and tap "Delete Backup"
  • Confirm by tapping "Turn Off & Delete"

Remember, deleting a backup will not erase any data stored on your device itself, only the backup copy stored in iCloud.

Delete My Photos

Credit: youtube.com, How to Delete Photos & Videos to Free Up Storage Space on All iPhones, iPads, iPods

If you're considering deleting your iPhone backup from iCloud, don't worry about losing your photos unless you're not using iCloud Photos.

Deleting an iCloud backup won't delete your photos if you're using iCloud Photos, as your pictures are stored separately from backups.

However, if you're not using iCloud Photos and your photos are only in the backup, those photos will be deleted along with the backup.

So, make sure you're using iCloud Photos to keep your photos safe, even if you decide to delete your iCloud backup.

Here's an interesting read: Icloud Backup Could Not Be Completed

Settings and Data

You can delete an iCloud backup directly from your iPhone or iPad, and it's a relatively straightforward process. To do this, launch the Settings app from your device's home screen.

Tap on your name or Apple ID banner at the top of the Settings menu. This will give you access to your iCloud settings.

Scroll down and select "iCloud" from the list of options, which will open your iCloud settings.

In the iCloud settings menu, tap on "Manage Storage" to get an overview of your iCloud storage usage.

Under the "STORAGE" section, tap on "Backups" to display a list of all the devices backed up to your iCloud account.

Viola Morissette

Assigning Editor

Viola Morissette is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a passion for curating high-quality content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for identifying emerging trends, she has successfully guided numerous articles to publication. Her expertise spans a wide range of topics, including technology and software tutorials, such as her work on "OneDrive Tutorials," where she expertly assigned and edited pieces that have resonated with readers worldwide.

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