Apple support says about the temp iCloud storage you use to set up a new phone with a transfer:
”After you restore your temporary backup to your new iPhone or iPad, your temporary backup is available for 7 days before it's permanently deleted.”
Well, it’s been weeks and I still have 16GB of temp storage still taking up iCloud backup storage space. How do I get rid of this temp iCloud storage.
Thanks.
Hi Gator5000e
I have the same issue with you where my temporary backup was not automatically deleted for more than 21 days. I found a solution and I hope it is helpful to you.
I am using Window 10 and on Window Stores there is an official icloud app. Download this app to your PC and after signing in to your Apple account, go to storage section where you see all your backups, including the temporary one. Choose the one you want to delete and hit the delete button.
It works for me and I hope it works for you too.
Strange that this deletion function is not available in iphone or icloud.com
Hi Gator5000e
I have the same issue with you where my temporary backup was not automatically deleted for more than 21 days. I found a solution and I hope it is helpful to you.
I am using Window 10 and on Window Stores there is an official icloud app. Download this app to your PC and after signing in to your Apple account, go to storage section where you see all your backups, including the temporary one. Choose the one you want to delete and hit the delete button.
It works for me and I hope it works for you too.
Strange that this deletion function is not available in iphone or icloud.com
We made them aware of this thread and your post also. He took the thread information down to report to Senior Programmers! Just an FYI, he could NOT delete my wifes temporary back up either, as it was also reflecting as “not completed” on their end. They will get it resolved!
I spent an hour on the phone with support level 1 and level 2. Neither had any idea of how to solve the issue. Level two says the phone thinks it's still restoring something 3 weeks after the update (he says that is why the message below the temp storage says that the temp file will go away after the phone finishes restoring). Trust me, it's not still restoring. He says that I need to keep charging the phone at night and keep it connected to Wi-Fi and that the temp will go away after 21 days. I don't know exactly when the 21 days will be up, but it should be this week (I actually thought it had happened already but I now recall I didn't set my new phone up right away). We will see if it deletes. But this was pretty dumb for Apple not to give us the option to manually delete the temp backup ourselves when we finished the set up.
PS - A restore of the phone won't help because this temp backup is in the cloud and not on the phone. So I will wait until the end of this week to see if it eventually goes away.
Hi Gator5000e,
It seems you have a question about temporary storage and we can help.
The temporary storage is added for users who don't have enough iCloud data to create a backup.
If you have the extra iCloud space to create backups, it's likely that you didn't get a temporary storage to expand for a one time backup.
Good news though, you can delete backups you no longer need from iCloud anytime you want:
Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities.
Thaks for the response but it has nothing to do withthe issue. The issue is the temp backup cannot be deleted. Mine has been on my phone for over 3 weeks. It;s taking up 16GB of iCloud storage and so Apple is telling me I need to buy more space. I wouldn't need more space if the 16GB of temp backup would go away. But it won't and I can't make it go away.
Gator,
We spent two hours on the phone with Apple Senior Tech. He is escalating this issue to help get it resolved! They are now also aware of your posts also. We were promised a resolution within 4 business days! We are having the same exactly issue as you are! I trust Apple to get this solved!
Not yet Gator,
We have a confirmed call back for tomorrow afternoon, to let us know the status of what they have found, or not found yet. But, as of today, my wife's phone still has the "temporary backup" still affecting it also. Hopefully we will learn something tomorrow.
Gator,
They did call my wife today, but they have not been able to solve the issue just yet. They took more information from her on her phone, model, and other data also. They now promised her a call back on Monday! 🤷🏼♂️ I PERSONALLY think they should supply those affected with this issue temporary free data until they get it fixed!
I'm beginning to think its a way to force folks to buy the next level in storage. But at the very least, they should be able to access the files in your iCloud account, with your express permission of course, and delete the stupid backup. Maybe it's not really there but iOS is reporting it is and so iCloud is saying it's there. But apparently Apple has no clue and it will probably have to be a iOS update or something.
I just think the easiest solution is to provide free additional storage, until they can figure out why this is happening. They will eventually figure it out, but in the meantime, some of their customers are being affected. You know it is just more than TWO people, it has to be more than that, who probably just don't realize it yet.
You, my friend, are a steely eyed missile man (from the movie Apollo 13)! and a Genius. Sitting right in front of me the entire time. I actually checked iTunes for Windows to see if I cold do this but I never thought to check iCloud for Windows. When I did the backup for my prior and now traded-in phone was sitting right there and was able to be deleted. Thank you!!!!!
Apple fixed my wife's phone this morning. When she woke up this morning, it was finally removed. We have not heard back yet from them as to how they fixed it, but at least it was gone this morning.
At least you found the solution for Gator5000 and that is GREATLY APPRECIATED. Apple is aware of this thread, and hopefully they will see what you have found also.
Sounds good, Byron. Thank you for your update! Hope they get it sorted. If mine eventually goes away, I will update this thread.
Still no change for me. The temp backup is still there. It's close to 4 weeks since I received my phone. Any changes for you, Byron?
Great. Looking forward to hear what they say. Thanks.
Temporary iCloud storage for transfer is not deleting. How to delete it?
