Remove an iOS device backup from iCloud

You can free up iCloud storage space by deleting the entire iCloud backup for an iOS device, such as a device you no longer own. If you’re restoring a device from an iCloud backup, you must wait until the restore operation is finished before you can delete the backup.

WARNING: If you delete the iCloud backup for your iOS device, iCloud stops automatically backing up the device.

Instead of backing up your iOS device to iCloud, you can back up your device using iTunes. For information, see the iTunes Help topic Back up your iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad.

Using your iOS device

  1. Go to Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup > Manage Storage.

  2. Tap the name of an iOS device whose backup you don’t need, then tap Delete Backup.

Using your Mac

  1. Open iCloud preferences, then click Manage.

  2. Click Backups on the left, select an iOS device on the right whose backup you don’t need, then click Delete.

    If you don’t see Backups on the left, your iOS devices don’t have iCloud backups. For more information, see Back up your iOS device to iCloud.

Using your Windows computer

  1. Open the iCloud Control Panel, then click Manage.

  2. Click Backups on the left, select an iOS device on the right whose backup you don’t need, then click Delete.

    If you don’t see Backups on the left, your iOS devices don’t have iCloud backups. For more information, see Back up your iOS device to iCloud.