Why are iCloud backups so much smaller than your iPhone memory usage?

Hi there,

You can find out what gets backed up in iCloud here:

What does iCloud back up? - Apple Support

iOS stores apps and app data separately. By only backing up the app data, you eliminate the need to also back up the application file, which is hosted and can be downloaded by the App Store itself. iCloud data also isn't included, since it's already in iCloud to begin with. These are the most significant reasons for the discrepancy you're seeing.

Alfredo Jahn Said:

"Why are iCloud backups so much smaller than your iPhone memory usage?"

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About iCloud Backups:

iCloud does not backup everything --not your entire device. See here: What does iCloud Back Up? - Apple Support

What does iCloud back up? - Apple Support

I have a 256GB iPad and I am using 92.3 GB of space. The size of my iCloud backup is 7.8GB. What you are seeing is perfectly normal.

if you erase and restore your phone from the iCloud backup, you will get all of your data back.

Alfredo Jahn Said:

"Why are iCloud backups so much smaller than your iPhone memory usage?"

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For reference...

Troubleshooting iPhone Storage:

Internal storage cannot be upgraded. It is what it is. So, the maximum internal storage capacity never increases, even if you upgraded your iCloud plan. Learn More here: What's the Difference Between Device Storage and iCloud Storage? Apple Support

So, what to do...

Clear Space Using my User Tips:

• How to Clear Space from your Mobile Device, and What to Clear: - User Tip. You may have too much installed, and need to clear space. So, see my user tip: 
• How to Clear "Other" in your iPhone's Storage - Use Backup - User Tip. Caches would be being used for remembrance of application use. It is essentially the same for an iPhone. You'd backup your iPhone, and then restore your iPhone from the backup you've just created. All System Data will delete.