How to Delete Old Backups from iCloud (2026 Guide)

iCloud Backup Overview: What It Is and What It Stores

What is iCloud backup? iCloud backup is a backup solution for iOS devices, made possible by Apple's cloud-based storage solution. It securely stores a copy of your information from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Data backed up on iCloud from other iOS devices can easily be retrieved in new devices. This makes it simple to restore the information you already have.

iCloud Backs up data such as:

• Device Settings
• All messages from native apps such as iMessage, MMS and SMS
• Apple Watch Backups
• App Data
• HomeKit configuration
• Purchase history from Apple's services
• Call History
• Media like photos and videos from your iOS devices
• App organization including the home screen
• Visual Voicemail password (Sim card used when backing up has to be inserted in to the phone)

Automatically backing up your data on iCloud by navigating to Settings> Your Name> iCloud> iCloud Backup. Users of iOS 10.2 and earlier don't have the "Your Name" step. Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network and ensure that the screen's device is locked. To prevent your device from powering off during the backup process, connect your device to a power source.

How to Delete iCloud Backup on iPhone/iPad

Can't delete iCloud data, old or otherwise? The following steps will show you how to delete old backups from iCloud on iPhone/iPad/iPod touch. We have tried and tested it and are certain it will yield the expected results.

Step 1: For iOS 11 users, Navigate to Settings > [you name].

Step 2: Select "Storage & iCloud Usage"

Step 3: Navigate to "iCloud" and tap on "Manage Storage"

Step 4: Select Device under "Backups" Section.

All devices signed into iCloud and enabled backups with the same Apple ID are listed under the "Backups Section". You could opt to delete backups of an old iOS device you used.

Step 5: Delete back up by tapping "Delete Backup" then tap on the next prompt "Turn Off & Delete" to confirm deletion.

For iOS 10.3 go to Settings> [your name] > iCloud. Proceed by tapping on the graph that shows your iCloud usage then proceed from step 3. For iOS 10.2 or earlier, go to Settings> iCloud > Storage then proceed from step 3.

Before deleting your old iCloud backups, it is always good to back up your already backed up data on iTunes. It offers a great fallback plan in case you delete data you might need later.

Extra Tip: How to Delete iCloud Backups on your Mac

Wondering how to delete iCloud backups on Mac? Follow the steps outlined below:

• 1. Click on the antique looking gear icon on your dock to launch System Preferences. You could also use Finder.
• 2. Click iCloud and sign in using the Apple ID of the account you wish to delete the backup.
• 3. At the bottom right corner of the interface, click "Manage…".

• 4. Click "Backups" on the left pane and click on the backup you would like to delete.
• 5. Click "Delete" located at the bottom of the window and click "Delete" in the pop-up that appears.
• 6. Click "Done" and repeat step 5 and 6 if you wish to delete another backup.

Extra Tip: Tenorshare UltData- a Software to Recover iPhone Data[iOS 27 Supported]

If you have deleted an iCloud backup by mistake or cannot find the messages you need from your existing backups, recovering the entire backup may not always be possible. In this case, Tenorshare UltData(iPhone Data Recovery) can help as an alternative solution. Instead of only relying on iCloud backups, UltData can scan your iPhone and help you recover specific lost data, such as deleted text messages, photos, contacts, and more.

It allows you to preview recoverable files before recovery and select only the data you need, making it easier to retrieve important information without restoring your entire device.

Features:

• Recover more than 25 data types.
• Swift scanning and data analysis time.
• Recover data from third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp, WeChat and Facebook Messenger.
• Money back guarantee within 30 days.
• Works perfectly well with native iOS applications allows you to restore data from both iTunes and iCloud.

• Download and launch Tenorshare UltData on your computer.

• Select the location or device where the Claude exported files were stored and start a scan.


• Wait for the scan to complete and review the recoverable files.

• Preview the files, choose the ones you want, and click Recover to save them to a secure location.

Conclusion

iCloud Backup is a convenient way to protect important data from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch by storing a copy of your device information in the cloud. When you need to free up storage space or remove backups from old devices, you can follow the steps above to delete iCloud backups safely.

However, before deleting any backup, make sure it no longer contains important files you may need in the future. If you accidentally delete an iCloud backup or cannot find the data you want from an existing backup, Tenorshare UltData provides an alternative way to recover lost iPhone data. It allows you to preview recoverable files and selectively restore important data, including photos, messages, contacts, and more, without relying only on iCloud backups.

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