{"id":"mac-storage-basics.what-is-the-ios-files-category-in-storage-settings","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-is-the-ios-files-category-in-storage-settings","category":{"id":"mac-storage-basics","title":"Mac storage basics"},"subcategory":{"id":"system-data","title":"System Data and the storage categories"},"question":"What is iOS Files in Storage settings?","alt_questions":["ios files mac storage","what are ios files on my mac","delete ios files mac","ios files taking space macbook","iphone files on mac storage"],"short_answer":"iPhone and iPad backups and update files stored on your Mac. You can review and delete old ones from the category's info button.","answer_markdown":"**iOS Files** are backups and software update files for iPhone and iPad that your Mac has stored. Selecting the category's info button lists them with dates, so you can delete old backups of devices you no longer have or don't need.\n\nDelete a backup only when you're sure you won't need it to restore that device — iCloud backups are separate and aren't affected. See [managing iPhone backups](/faq/mac-storage-basics/where-are-iphone-backups-stored-on-a-mac).","answer_html":"

iOS Files are backups and software update files for iPhone and iPad that your Mac has stored. Selecting the category's info button lists them with dates, so you can delete old backups of devices you no longer have or don't need.

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Delete a backup only when you're sure you won't need it to restore that device — iCloud backups are separate and aren't affected. See managing iPhone backups.

","answer_text":"iOS Files are backups and software update files for iPhone and iPad that your Mac has stored. Selecting the category's info button lists them with dates, so you can delete old backups of devices you no longer have or don't need.\n\nDelete a backup only when you're sure you won't need it to restore that device — iCloud backups are separate and aren't affected. See managing iPhone backups.","tags":["ios files","iphone backup","storage settings"],"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.how-do-i-delete-old-iphone-backups-on-a-mac","question":"How do I delete old iPhone backups from my Mac?","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-delete-old-iphone-backups-on-a-mac"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"What is iOS Files in Storage settings? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"iPhone and iPad backups and update files stored on your Mac. You can review and delete old ones from the category's info button.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Mac storage basics","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/"},{"name":"What is iOS Files in Storage settings?","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-is-the-ios-files-category-in-storage-settings"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-is-the-ios-files-category-in-storage-settings","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What is iOS Files in Storage settings?","alternateName":["ios files mac storage","what are ios files on my mac","delete ios files mac","ios files taking space macbook","iphone files on mac storage"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"iOS Files are backups and software update files for iPhone and iPad that your Mac has stored. Selecting the category's info button lists them with dates, so you can delete old backups of devices you no longer have or don't need.\n\nDelete a backup only when you're sure you won't need it to restore that device — iCloud backups are separate and aren't affected. See managing iPhone backups.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-is-the-ios-files-category-in-storage-settings"}}]},"fragment":"
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Mac storage basics · System Data and the storage categories

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What is iOS Files in Storage settings?

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Short answer: iPhone and iPad backups and update files stored on your Mac. You can review and delete old ones from the category's info button.

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iOS Files are backups and software update files for iPhone and iPad that your Mac has stored. Selecting the category's info button lists them with dates, so you can delete old backups of devices you no longer have or don't need.

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Delete a backup only when you're sure you won't need it to restore that device — iCloud backups are separate and aren't affected. See managing iPhone backups.

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