Erasing an iPhone backup requires deleting it from iCloud, Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes — wiping the phone itself leaves existing backups untouched and stored separately.
The process for how to erase iPhone backup changes depending on where the backup lives. iCloud backups are managed through your device or iCloud settings, while computer backups — stored in Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes — need a different approach. The steps below cover every method with the exact menu paths you need.
Delete An iCloud Backup On iPhone Or iPad
The quickest way to erase an iPhone backup stored in iCloud is from the device itself. Open Settings and tap your name at the top, then go to iCloud > iCloud Backup. You’ll see a list of devices with backups under your account. Tap the device whose backup you want to delete, then tap Turn Off and Delete from iCloud. Confirm by tapping Turn Off and Delete again. The backup is removed permanently — there is no undo through normal iCloud settings.
If you manage a family member’s device or need to check which backup is taking up space, the date and size of each backup appear next to the device name. Pick the right one before confirming.
Delete An iCloud Backup On Mac
On a Mac running recent macOS, go to Apple menu > System Settings > your name at the top > iCloud > Manage > Backups. Select the device backup you want to remove and click the Delete button (a minus icon in some versions). Confirm the deletion. The backup disappears from iCloud immediately.
This method works for any device backup tied to your Apple Account — iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch — and the storage space frees up right away.
Delete An iCloud Backup On Windows
Windows users erase an iCloud backup through the iCloud for Windows app. Open the app, click Storage, then choose Backups. Select the device whose backup you want to delete and click Delete. The app removes the backup from your iCloud account and the storage returns to your available space.
Make sure iCloud for Windows is installed and signed into the same Apple Account used for the backup. If you don’t see the Storage option, update iCloud for Windows to the latest version from the Microsoft Store.
How Do You Delete A Computer Backup?
Backups stored on a Mac or PC — created through Finder, the Apple Devices app, or iTunes — are managed directly from those programs. Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable and trust the computer if prompted.
On a Mac with modern macOS, open Finder. Under the General tab, click Manage Backups. A list of stored backups appears with dates and sizes. Right-click the backup you want to erase and choose Delete, or select it and click the minus button.
On Windows, use the Apple Devices app (downloadable from the Microsoft Store). The process mirrors Finder: connect your device via USB, click General, then Manage Backups, and delete the one you no longer need. If you’re using macOS Mojave or earlier, or an older Windows setup without the Apple Devices app, iTunes handles the same flow — open iTunes, go to Preferences > Devices, and remove the backup from there.
Does Erasing Your iPhone Delete The Backup?
No — erasing your iPhone does not delete any backup stored in iCloud or on a computer. Apple’s erase flow — found at Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings — wipes on-device data and settings only. The backups remain in iCloud, in Finder, or on your PC until you delete them separately.
This is the most common mistake people make when preparing to sell or trade in a device. Erasing the phone is step one; cleaning out the old backups is step two. If you plan to restore from a backup on the new device, keep it — but if you’re freeing up iCloud storage or removing old data from a computer, you need to delete the backup explicitly using one of the methods above.
Where Computer Backups Are Stored On Mac Or PC
If you prefer to locate and manually delete backup files from your computer, here is where they live:
- Mac:
~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/ - Windows (Apple Devices or iTunes from Microsoft Store):
%USERPROFILE%\Apple\MobileSync\Backup\ - Windows (older iTunes not from the Microsoft Store):
%AppData%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
Each backup is a folder named with a long device ID string. Check the modification dates to confirm which folder belongs to which device before deleting anything. Removing the wrong folder can wipe a backup you still need.
Erasing An iPhone Backup: Methods Compared
| Method | Platform | Key Action |
|---|---|---|
| iCloud Backup | iPhone / iPad | Settings > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Turn Off and Delete |
| iCloud Backup | Mac | System Settings > iCloud > Manage > Backups > Delete |
| iCloud Backup | Windows | iCloud for Windows > Storage > Backups > Delete |
| Computer Backup | Mac (modern macOS) | Finder > General > Manage Backups > Delete |
| Computer Backup | Windows (Apple Devices) | Apple Devices app > General > Manage Backups > Delete |
| Computer Backup | Mac (Mojave or earlier) | iTunes > Preferences > Devices > Delete |
| Computer Backup | Windows (older iTunes) | iTunes > Preferences > Devices > Delete |
Common Mistakes When Deleting iPhone Backups
| Mistake | Why It Happens | The Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Deleting the wrong device backup | Multiple devices show under the same Apple Account with similar names | Check the date and size next to each backup before confirming |
| Confusing phone erasure with backup deletion | “Erase” on the phone sounds like it covers everything | Remember: erasing the device and deleting backups are separate actions |
| Using the wrong Windows path | Two different backup folder locations depending on the software source | Use %USERPROFILE% for Apple Devices/Microsoft Store iTunes; %AppData% for older iTunes |
| Expecting backups to disappear after restoring | Restoring does not remove the backup from iCloud or the computer | Delete the backup manually after restoring if you no longer need it |
Apple’s support documentation covers the full detail on locating and managing backups across all these platforms. Apple’s guide to managing device backups walks through each scenario with screenshots.
Which Delete Method Fits Your Situation
Pick your path based on where the backup lives and what you need to accomplish:
- Freeing up iCloud storage: Delete iCloud backups from iPhone, Mac, or Windows — the iPhone method is fastest if you have the device in hand.
- Cleaning up old computer backups: Use Finder on modern Macs, Apple Devices on Windows, or iTunes on older systems. Check the date before deleting so you don’t remove a recent backup you may need.
- Selling or trading in your iPhone: Erase the phone first, then delete the iCloud backup separately. If the computer backup is for that same device, delete it too.
- Starting fresh with a new backup: Delete the old backup after you’ve confirmed the new one completed successfully. Check the date in iCloud Backup or Manage Backups to be sure.
Each method is permanent once confirmed — there is no way to recover a deleted backup through Apple’s normal settings. Double-check the device name, date, and size before you click delete, and you’ll free up exactly the space you intended.
References & Sources
- Apple Support. “Locate and manage backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.” Covers deletion steps for iCloud, Finder, Apple Devices, and iTunes backups across all platforms.