In case required, you might be able to reclaim a lot of iCloud Storage Space by deleting old Backups of iPhone or iPad from iCloud. If this is what you were looking for, you will find below the steps to Delete iCloud Backups on iPhone or iPad.
Delete iCloud Backups On iPhone or iPad
Apple provides 5 GB of free iCloud storage to all Apple device owners and most users make use of this free iCloud Storage Space to backup their devices to iCloud.
Once the option for iCloud Backup is setup on your iPhone or iPad, it will automatically start backing up its data to iCloud, whenever it is plugged to a charger and connected to a WiFi network.
However, in case you have multiple devices backing up to iCloud, the free 5 GB iCloud Storage Space can get quickly filled up, leaving you with the following options.
1. Buy more iCloud Storage space, as available at very affordable rates from Apple.
2. Turn OFF iCloud Backups and Backup iPhone to computer using iTunes.
3. Delete Old iCloud Backups in order to Free up iCloud Storage Space.
While you can also recover a lot of iCloud Storage Space by Deleting Documents & Data from iCloud, in this article we are focusing on recovering iCloud Storage space by Deleting iCloud Backups.
Is it OK to Delete iCloud Backups on iPhone
In general, you should not have a problem deleting old iCloud Backups from iCloud, especially if you are no longer using the device or do not want those backups to be taking up storage space on iCloud.
Similarly, you should have no problem deleting a backup of your existing iPhone, in case you have already made a backup of your iPhone on your computer.
Also, even if you happen to delete an iCloud Backup (without having a Backup on your computer), you can always make a manual iCloud Backup at any time on your iPhone or wait for your iPhone to make an automated Backup whenever it is connected to a WiFi network and it is charging.
Delete iCloud Backups On iPhone or iPad
Follow the steps below to Delete iCloud Backups on iPhone or iPad, in order to recover iCloud Storage Space.
1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. On the Settings screen, tap on your Apple ID Name (See image below).
3. On the Apple ID screen, scroll down and tap on the iCloud option.
4. On the iCloud screen, tap on Manage Storage (See image below).
5. On iCloud Storage screen, scroll down and tap on the Backup option.
6. On the iCloud Storage Info screen, you will see all the iCloud Backups as available in your iCloud Account. Tap on the iCloud Backup that you want to delete.
7. On the next screen, scroll down to the bottom and tap on Delete Backup option (See image below).
8. On the pop-up, tap on Turn Off & Delete.
This will delete the selected iCloud Backup from iCloud and also Turn OFF future iCloud Backups for the selected device. This may not be a problem, in case you had deleted an old iCloud Backup for a device which is no longer in use.
However, in case you are still using the device or deleting a backup of your existing iPhone, you might be interested in re-enabling iCloud Backups for your iPhone by following the steps below.
1. Open Settings on the Device for which you want to re-enable iCloud Backups.
2. On the Settings Screen, tap on your Apple ID.
3. On the Apple ID screen, scroll down and tap on iCloud
4. On the iCloud Screen, scroll down and tap on the iCloud Backup option (See image below)
5. On the next screen, enable iCloud Backups on your iPhone by moving the toggle to ON position (See image below).
6. On the pop-up that appears, tap on OK to start iCloud Backups on your device.
Once the iCloud Backup is turned ON, the next iCloud Backup will occur later whenever your iPhone is plugged in for Charging. However, you can tap on the Back Up Now option to make an iCloud Backup of your iPhone.
