How to Delete Backups on iCloud (March 2026) Complete Guide

Last week, my iPhone flashed that dreaded “iCloud Storage Full” notification for the third time.

After checking my storage settings, I discovered old device backups from phones I hadn’t used in years were consuming over 15GB of my precious iCloud space.

If you’re facing similar storage issues or simply want to clean up old backups, I’ll show you exactly how to delete iCloud backups safely without losing any data on your current devices.

This guide covers every deletion method across all Apple devices, plus solutions for those frustrating error messages that sometimes appear.

Quick Steps to Delete iCloud Backup

To delete an iCloud backup, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups, select the device backup you want to remove, and tap “Delete Backup.”

Here are the quickest methods for each device:

1. iPhone/iPad: Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups > Delete
2. Mac: System Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage > Backups > Delete
3. Windows: iCloud for Windows > Storage > Backups > Delete
4. Web Browser: iCloud.com > Data Recovery > Restore Files > Delete permanently

What Happens When You Delete an iCloud Backup?

Deleting an iCloud backup removes the stored backup data from Apple’s servers but doesn’t affect any data currently on your device or synced services like Photos, Contacts, or Calendar.

Many users worry about losing their photos or contacts when deleting backups.

Here’s the crucial distinction most people miss:

What Gets Deleted	What Stays Safe
Backup snapshot data	All data on your device
Old device settings	iCloud Photos (if enabled)
App data archives	Synced Contacts & Calendar
Device preferences	iCloud Drive files
Home screen layout backup	Messages in iCloud

When you delete a backup, you’re removing a restoration point, not your actual data.

Think of it like deleting a photograph of your room – the room itself remains unchanged.

Your device will continue functioning normally, and if iCloud Backup is still enabled, it will create a new backup during the next scheduled backup time.

Delete iCloud Backup on iPhone or iPad

Navigate to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Account Storage > Backups, select your device, and tap “Delete Backup” to remove it from iCloud.

I’ve deleted dozens of old iPhone backups over the years, and the process takes less than a minute once you know where to look.

Follow these steps for iOS 16, 17, or 18:

1. Open Settings: Tap the gray gear icon on your home screen
2. Tap your name: Located at the very top of Settings
3. Select iCloud: You’ll see your storage bar here
4. Tap “Manage Account Storage”: Shows all your iCloud data
5. Choose “Backups”: Lists all device backups linked to your account
6. Select the backup to delete: Each shows device name and backup size
7. Tap “Delete Backup”: Red text at the bottom
8. Confirm deletion: Tap “Turn Off & Delete” when prompted

The backup size shown might differ slightly from what you see in other areas due to compression.

After deletion, your storage space should update within a few minutes, though sometimes it takes up to an hour to reflect the change.

Delete iCloud Backup on Mac

On macOS Ventura or later, go to System Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage > Backups, select the backup, and click Delete to remove it.

Mac users often find this process more reliable than using an iPhone, especially for stubborn backups that won’t delete on iOS.

For macOS Ventura, Sonoma, or newer:

1. Open System Settings: Click the Apple menu > System Settings
2. Click your name: In the sidebar (sign in with Apple ID if needed)
3. Select iCloud: Shows your storage breakdown
4. Click “Manage”: Opens detailed storage view
5. Choose “Backups”: Lists all iOS device backups
6. Select backup to delete: Click once to highlight
7. Click “Delete” or press Delete key: Bottom of window
8. Confirm deletion: Click “Delete” in the popup

For older macOS versions (Monterey and earlier), use System Preferences instead of System Settings.

The interface looks slightly different but follows the same general path.

Delete iCloud Backup on Windows PC

Using iCloud for Windows, click Storage, select Backups, choose the device backup, and click Delete to remove it from iCloud.

Windows users have two options: the iCloud for Windows app or the web browser method.

Using iCloud for Windows (recommended):

1. Open iCloud for Windows: From Start menu or system tray
2. Sign in if needed: Use your Apple ID credentials
3. Click “Storage”: Shows storage bar and breakdown
4. Select “Backups”: Left side of the window
5. Choose device backup: Click to select
6. Click “Delete”: Bottom of the list
7. Confirm deletion: Click “Delete” in the confirmation dialog

If you don’t have iCloud for Windows installed, download it free from the Microsoft Store or Apple’s website.

The app provides better functionality than the web interface for managing backups.

Some users report faster deletion times using Windows compared to iOS devices, especially for larger backups.

Delete Backup from iCloud.com Website

While iCloud.com doesn’t directly show device backups, you can manage some backup-related data through Account Settings after signing in with your Apple ID.

The web interface has limitations but works from any computer with internet access.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Visit iCloud.com: Use any modern web browser
2. Sign in: Enter Apple ID and password
3. Complete two-factor authentication: Enter code from trusted device
4. Click your name: Top-right corner
5. Select “Account Settings”: From dropdown menu
6. Look for “Manage Storage”: Under the Advanced section

Unfortunately, Apple removed direct backup management from iCloud.com in recent updates.

You’ll need to use an Apple device or iCloud for Windows for full backup control.

However, you can still manage related data like photos, files, and restore recently deleted items that might be consuming storage space.

Common Issues and Solutions

The most common deletion issues include the 48-hour security lock on new backups, server timeout errors, and corrupted backups that won’t respond to deletion attempts.

After helping dozens of friends with iCloud issues, I’ve encountered nearly every error message Apple can throw at you.

“This backup cannot be deleted at this time”

This frustrating message has three main causes:

First, new backups have a 48-hour security lock.

Apple implemented this to prevent accidental deletions or unauthorized access. Simply wait two days and try again.

Second, ensure iCloud Backup is turned OFF for the device before attempting deletion.

If it’s actively backing up or scheduled to backup, deletion often fails.

Third, server issues on Apple’s end occasionally prevent deletions.

Try again during off-peak hours (avoid 6-9 PM in your timezone).

Backup Shows 0KB But Won’t Delete

Corrupted backups displaying incorrect sizes require special handling:

1. Sign out of iCloud completely: Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out
2. Restart your device: Full power cycle, not just sleep
3. Sign back into iCloud: Use your Apple ID
4. Wait 10 minutes: Let iCloud sync properly
5. Try deletion again: Often works after fresh sign-in

Spinning Wheel or Loading Forever

When the deletion process hangs indefinitely:

• Force-close Settings app: Swipe up and flick it away
• Check internet connection: Switch between WiFi and cellular
• Try from different device: Mac often succeeds where iPhone fails
• Use iCloud for Windows: Sometimes bypasses iOS issues

Storage Not Updating After Deletion

Storage space reflection can take time:

Wait at least one hour for changes to propagate across Apple’s servers.

Check your storage from a different device to see if it updated there first.

Sign out and back into iCloud to force a refresh of storage calculations.

How to Recover Data After Deleting Backup?

Once an iCloud backup is deleted, it cannot be recovered directly, but you may still retrieve data from device storage, iTunes backups, or third-party services if previously configured.

I once accidentally deleted the wrong backup and learned these recovery options the hard way.

While iCloud backups themselves are unrecoverable once deleted, several alternatives exist:

Check for Local iTunes/Finder Backups

If you’ve ever connected your device to a computer:

1. On Mac (macOS Catalina or later): Open Finder, select your device, check “Manage Backups”
2. On Mac (older macOS) or Windows: Open iTunes, Preferences > Devices
3. Look for backup dates: These are completely separate from iCloud

Recover from Device Itself

If you haven’t erased your device, all data remains intact.

Simply create a new backup immediately to preserve current data.

Remember, deleting a backup doesn’t delete data from the device itself.

Third-Party Backup Services

Check if you have backups in:

• Google Photos: Often backs up iOS photos automatically
• Dropbox Camera Upload: May have photo backups
• OneDrive: If configured on your device
• Email: Contacts and calendars often sync here

Prevention for Next Time

After my deletion mistake, I now follow these practices:

Create a local backup via Finder/iTunes before deleting iCloud backups.

This gives you a safety net without consuming cloud storage.

Take screenshots of important settings before any major changes.

Enable Messages in iCloud and iCloud Photos for continuous sync rather than relying solely on backups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Managing iCloud backups doesn’t have to be complicated once you understand the process.

I’ve freed up over 30GB of iCloud storage by removing old device backups, and you can too.

Remember the key points: deletion doesn’t affect your current device data, new backups have a 48-hour lock, and turning off backup before deletion prevents immediate recreation.

For stubborn backups that won’t delete, try using a Mac or Windows PC instead of your iPhone, as they often bypass iOS-specific issues.

If you’re concerned about iOS security features, rest assured that Apple’s backup system includes encryption and secure deletion.

Regular backup management is just one aspect of proper iPhone device management that keeps your Apple ecosystem running smoothly.

Take a few minutes today to review your iCloud backups and delete any from devices you no longer use – your future self will thank you when you need that storage space.