---
id: mac-storage-basics.why-is-my-iphone-backup-so-big
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/why-is-my-iphone-backup-so-big
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "iPhone and iPad backups and updates"
question: "Why is my iPhone backup on my Mac so big?"
alt_questions:
  - "iphone backup size huge mac"
  - "what's in an iphone backup"
  - "reduce iphone backup size"
  - "iphone backup includes photos"
  - "large ios backup"
short_answer: "It includes app data, messages and attachments and, if iCloud Photos is off, your photos and videos. With iCloud Photos on, photos aren't included."
tags: ["iphone backup", "size", "icloud photos"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/where-are-iphone-backups-stored-on-a-mac", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/should-i-back-up-my-iphone-to-icloud-or-my-mac"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why is my iPhone backup on my Mac so big?

A device backup includes app data, messages and attachments, settings and — if iCloud Photos is off — your photos and videos stored on the phone. Apps that keep lots of offline content (messaging apps, podcast or video apps) make it bigger.

With iCloud Photos on, photos aren't included because they're already in iCloud. To make backups smaller, clear large app data on the phone or rely on iCloud backups and keep only an occasional local one.