{"id":"mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-delete-old-iphone-backups-on-a-mac","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-delete-old-iphone-backups-on-a-mac","category":{"id":"mac-storage-basics","title":"Mac storage basics"},"subcategory":{"id":"iphone-backups","title":"iPhone and iPad backups and updates"},"question":"How do I delete old iPhone backups from my Mac?","alt_questions":["delete iphone backup mac","remove ios backups finder","manage backups delete","clear old ipad backups mac","free space iphone backups mac"],"short_answer":"Use Finder's Manage Backups (select a connected device, General tab) or the iOS Files info button in Storage settings, and delete backups you no longer need.","answer_markdown":"Either:\n\n- Connect any iPhone or iPad, select it in Finder's sidebar, click **Manage Backups…** on the General tab, select the old backup and click **Delete Backup**; or\n- Open **System Settings → General → Storage**, click the info button next to **iOS Files**, select old backups and delete them.\n\nOnly delete backups you're sure you won't need to restore a device. Backups stored in iCloud are separate and aren't affected. Archived backups (shown with a lock or date) are kept until you delete them.","answer_html":"

Either:

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Only delete backups you're sure you won't need to restore a device. Backups stored in iCloud are separate and aren't affected. Archived backups (shown with a lock or date) are kept until you delete them.

","answer_text":"Either:\n\n- Connect any iPhone or iPad, select it in Finder's sidebar, click Manage Backups… on the General tab, select the old backup and click Delete Backup; or\n- Open System Settings → General → Storage, click the info button next to iOS Files, select old backups and delete them.\n\nOnly delete backups you're sure you won't need to restore a device. Backups stored in iCloud are separate and aren't affected. Archived backups (shown with a lock or date) are kept until you delete them.","tags":["iphone backup","delete","finder"],"related":[{"id":"mac-storage-basics.where-are-iphone-backups-stored-on-a-mac","question":"Where are iPhone and iPad backups stored on my Mac?","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/where-are-iphone-backups-stored-on-a-mac"},{"id":"mac-storage-basics.what-is-the-ios-files-category-in-storage-settings","question":"What is iOS Files in Storage settings?","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-is-the-ios-files-category-in-storage-settings"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"How do I delete old iPhone backups from my Mac? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"Use Finder's Manage Backups (select a connected device, General tab) or the iOS Files info button in Storage settings, and delete backups you no longer need.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Mac storage basics","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/"},{"name":"How do I delete old iPhone backups from my Mac?","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-delete-old-iphone-backups-on-a-mac"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-delete-old-iphone-backups-on-a-mac","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"How do I delete old iPhone backups from my Mac?","alternateName":["delete iphone backup mac","remove ios backups finder","manage backups delete","clear old ipad backups mac","free space iphone backups mac"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Either:\n\n- Connect any iPhone or iPad, select it in Finder's sidebar, click Manage Backups… on the General tab, select the old backup and click Delete Backup; or\n- Open System Settings → General → Storage, click the info button next to iOS Files, select old backups and delete them.\n\nOnly delete backups you're sure you won't need to restore a device. Backups stored in iCloud are separate and aren't affected. Archived backups (shown with a lock or date) are kept until you delete them.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-delete-old-iphone-backups-on-a-mac"}}]},"fragment":"
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Mac storage basics · iPhone and iPad backups and updates

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How do I delete old iPhone backups from my Mac?

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Short answer: Use Finder's Manage Backups (select a connected device, General tab) or the iOS Files info button in Storage settings, and delete backups you no longer need.

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Either:

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  • Connect any iPhone or iPad, select it in Finder's sidebar, click Manage Backups… on the General tab, select the old backup and click Delete Backup; or
  • Open System Settings → General → Storage, click the info button next to iOS Files, select old backups and delete them.
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Only delete backups you're sure you won't need to restore a device. Backups stored in iCloud are separate and aren't affected. Archived backups (shown with a lock or date) are kept until you delete them.

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Last reviewed

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Related questions

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