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User profile for user: alejoaa
alejoaa Author
User level: Level 1
22 points

iPhone iCloud backup is too big

My iCloud back up is currently around 20 GB and I can’t understand why. I have iCloud Photo Library turned on, so my photos take up a separate iCloud space. I have delved into the settings of the back up to find out that the apps are taking up some MBs but most of them a few KB, so that’s not the reason. I have iCloud Messages turned off so I guess these ones are included, but they’re only 5 GB. What could be taking up so much space in my iCloud back up? How can I reduce it? In contrast, my iPad takes only 7 GB. Thanks.

iPhone 14 Pro, iOS 16

Posted on Jan 7, 2023 4:15 PM

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User profile for user: srbwanderer
srbwanderer
User level: Community Specialist

Posted on Jan 9, 2023 4:56 PM

Hello alejoaa,


If you follow these steps found at Manage your iCloud storage - Apple Support, you can help control the size of the backups:


Reduce the size of your iCloud Backup

When you back up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to iCloud, the most important information on your device is backed up automatically. Learn more about what iCloud backs up.

Many apps automatically back up to iCloud after you install them. You can decrease the size of your iCloud Backup and free up space in iCloud when you stop backing up apps that you don't use or delete old iCloud backups. 

Choose which apps to back up on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

1. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud.
2. Tap Manage Account Storage or tap Manage Storage, then tap Backups.
3. Tap the name of the device that you're using.
4. Turn off any apps that you don't want to back up.
5. Choose Turn Off & Delete.

When you confirm that you want to Turn Off & Delete an app, it turns off iCloud Backup for that app and removes all of its information from iCloud.

Some apps are always backed up and you can't turn them off.


Using those steps you should be able to determine what is being backed up and how to reduce the size of the backup.


Have a good day.

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User profile for user: srbwanderer
srbwanderer
User level: Community Specialist

Jan 9, 2023 4:56 PM in response to alejoaa

Hello alejoaa,


If you follow these steps found at Manage your iCloud storage - Apple Support, you can help control the size of the backups:


Reduce the size of your iCloud Backup

When you back up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to iCloud, the most important information on your device is backed up automatically. Learn more about what iCloud backs up.

Many apps automatically back up to iCloud after you install them. You can decrease the size of your iCloud Backup and free up space in iCloud when you stop backing up apps that you don't use or delete old iCloud backups. 

Choose which apps to back up on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

1. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud.
2. Tap Manage Account Storage or tap Manage Storage, then tap Backups.
3. Tap the name of the device that you're using.
4. Turn off any apps that you don't want to back up.
5. Choose Turn Off & Delete.

When you confirm that you want to Turn Off & Delete an app, it turns off iCloud Backup for that app and removes all of its information from iCloud.

Some apps are always backed up and you can't turn them off.


Using those steps you should be able to determine what is being backed up and how to reduce the size of the backup.


Have a good day.

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iPhone iCloud backup is too big

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