I want to access old photos that were backed up on the cloud from 2016. How do I do that? (I tried figuring this out on my own but could only access 3 of the most recent. I'm trying to find pictures and videos taken in July, 2016)
iPhone 6s, iOS 11.2.6
I assume you mean you could only access your last 3 backups. If you were not using iCloud Photo Library and those photos were not included in any of those backups, then I am afraid the photos are gone for good. If you were using iCloud Photo Library, then the photos are not included in your backup anyway. See Note 1 in:
What does iCloud back up? - Apple Support
I suggest, in the future, that you regularly archive your photos to a computer and then copy them to a safe place (like a thumb drive):
Transfer photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
By any chance have you made any backups of your device using iTunes on your computer?
Nope. I was wrongly under the assumption that what I was saving to the cloud (and paying for monthly storage for years, I might add) was saving them all. Live and learn!
Restoring an old back up
