iCloud backup hidden or phantom space

I have the same problem. On all my devices turned off Backup option. But still see "Backup use 801 MB". In "Manage Storage" it shows me that Backup use 0 KB of storage. Why it happens? Conflicting situation. Seems like a bug inside iCloud internals with counting disc space.

Dear Chris, I have the exactly same problem as yours and also try to contact Apple support. They recommend to turn device on and off and also logout from iCloud in both devices and re-login again. However it seems both methods still cannot solve this hidden icloud backup problem. Any luck from your session with apple support?

in my case, it happened just after I come back from abroad that I choose to turn off iCloud backup during the trip for avoiding data roaming usage via my pocket wifi.. Which happen "before" I update my iPad to iOS9.. (My Iphone is still on 8.3)

might try to call apple support again and will let u know if there are any luck from my end..

I Have the same problem. 2.7GB of Backup but there is nothing listed under backup. I called twice and got no help. The senior tech claims my backup includes contacts, photos etc. but that is untrue. I doubt 28 photos from my iPhone and 45 contacts take up 2.7GB plus these things are stored separately and are listed taking 12MB. Scary that a senior tech is so oblivious on tech support.

I guess I need to use local storage for backups until a real technical support person will discover this issue we all have.

Maybe this is a way to get people to pay for iCloud space and make a few bucks.

So disappointed in Apple.

Chris...I have the same issue. I noticed mine just after I updated to iOS 9, but I can't be sure if the problem was there before. I have two accounts, but only one was affected. In my one account, the "Backups" category shows 807 MB but I am not backing-up any iOS devices at all. I tried the "turn off-turn on" and "login-logout" but to no avail. By reviewing this thread, it appears difficult in getting a support representative that recognizes this as an issue (bug). Perhaps if enough people complain to Apple Support who are close to, or exceed, their 5 GB maximum because of this bug, it will get the attention it deserves.

HI Chris,

I upgraded my devices to 9.0.1 when it came out but I still have 2.7GB of phantom backups. My backup list is empty and on iCloud.com it shows I have around 50MB of total data visible to me.

With all of these posts and basically getting the same reply "no problem here it must be you", I'm convinced this is Apple just trying to nudge us to pay for more space since 5GB is adequate for the majority. Once they hit the bonus money the fix will be quietly applied or they are incompetent (hope not!).

I'm willing to bet the "phantom backups" are actually the previous copies that were marked for deletion but not purged. For me, I backed up and deleted each device I had due to the limited space and surprise, surprise, they total about 2.7GB! Imagine that?????

If I was the CIO of Apple I'd be embarrassed the "senior experts" are stumped or clueless. I know I'd be fired/transferred if this was in my company. Maybe they can schedule Microsoft to come in and learn a thing or two. lol

Good luck in trying to find a fix.

I keep calling Support and get no help. It's like they have a wheel and spin it to provide a random solution which doesn't work. The only constant thing is the senior technician will not talk to me about this issue. I still find it hard to believe they cannot delete my iCloud so I can start fresh. I'd like to see how it fills up when I have my backups off. The senior techs claim the 2.7GB being used under Backups are miscellaneous things like photos and contacts. I'd like to talk to them and have them explain to me how 28 photos and 47 contacts take up 2.7GB. I think they assume I have thousands of photos so I just go away while they continue to try and find out what is happening.

I've been in the technology field for over 25 years and know when I'm being jerked around.

Chris...As I mentioned before, I have two Apple accounts, only one of which was afflicted by the phantom space. This morning, I updated the iPhone associated with that account to iOS 9.0.2. I did not check the available iCloud storage on the iPhone before or after the update. Later in the morning, I went to update my iPad to iOS 9.0.2 and noticed the 807 MB of phantom storage had reappeared in the iCloud storage settings for the affected account. I had not downloaded the update on the iPad at that point.

While doing research on this issue, I came across a post somewhere (I do not remember where) about this same issue from a few years ago. One person said that his storage suddenly reappeared after his iCloud backups had "recycled." Before reading that post, I had turned-off the iCloud backups to my devices and nothing changed. About a week ago, I reactivated the iCloud backups. Before I had updated the iPhone this morning, I had just completed my third iCloud back-up while connected to power and on a wireless network.

It would appear my phantom storage reappeared due to the "recycling" of the iCloud backups, but it could have been due to the iOS 9.0.2 update. I wish I had checked the storage before the update but I had resigned myself to just losing the storage. I hope this info gives you something to try out. Good luck.

My Daughters phone has the exact same problem. I think it started before the IOS 9 update. It's hard to know, it's been going on for a while and I finally had the time to investigate it. Looks like she can not back up her phone to the cloud. 😟 I wish I could delete or reset the iCloud account and start over.

I have the exact same problem the apple rep unofficially told me to keep my iPhone plugged in on wifi and keep backing up , you will get the not enough storage prompt a couple of times but don't give up, eventually the new backup will overwrite the phantom space with a valid backup , I've just tried this and hoping for the best, it is an issue from apples side . with so many updates its got a bit confused . i will get back to all if this solution works.

Contact Apple Support, (change country if necessary)

Hello Everyone:

Good News ~

Today when I check iCloud space.

The Hidden space back ~