Can't find old backups in iCloud

Your computer only lists backup made in iTunes, not iCloud. To view available backups in iCloud you have to erase all content and settings, go through the setup screens, choose Restore from iCloud backup and sign into your iCloud account. You will then be asked to choose which backup to restore to and it will display available backups. However, only you last 3 backups are retained, so if you have been backing up to iCloud daily a backup from 14 days ago would no longer be available.

"However, only you last 3 backups are retained, so if you have been backing up to iCloud daily a backup from 14 days ago would no longer be available."

Hi, I'm trying to access data backed up to cloud over a month ago. I typically back up from cloud daily except in the past week or two it won't because there's not enough room. Are you saying that if I haven't backed up in 3 days I can't access data successfully backed up a month ago (when it was successfully creating daily backups?)

No. Apple states that your last 3 backups are retained, whenever the occored (although Apple maintains the right to delete them after 6 months of inactivity).

I was only saying that if you backed up daily, backups from weeks ago would no longer be there because the last 3 backups wouldn't go back that far.

Randers4, I see you answer lots of community questions - thank you! I believe the texts where deleted on or about May 9. However the phone was backed up daily until June 9. That's 30 days of daily backups which would not include the needed messages. Do you have any idea whether Apple can access the backups?

I don't think that Apple can restore them as the would have been permanently deleted from the server. Your only hope would be to restore to an older backup made in iTunes if one existed. You can check by opening iTunes Ng going to Preferences > Devices and looking at the Backups list.

thanks, unfortunately I didn't have a computer until now so there are no itunes backups.

You're welcome. Unfortunately I think you're out of luck.