How to delete stuff from iCloud on iPhone

3 min read

Looking for tips on how to delete stuff from iCloud? You're not the only one! iCloud is a great way to store your files, photos, and backups, but over time, it can become cluttered with old, sometimes duplicate data.

So, if you're running out of iCloud storage, knowing how to safely and correctly remove stuff can help you keep your files organized and free up space.

We'll show you how to access all your iCloud files from the comfort of your iPhone and delete photos, backups, and other unnecessary data, so let's get started.

How to access iCloud files on iPhone

Before you can delete anything, you need to know how to access iCloud files on iPhone.

iCloud stores different types of data, including photos, backups, documents, and app data. Here's how to find them:

Open the Settings App on your iPhone.
Tap Your Name from the top > iCloud.
Tap the storage bar to see a breakdown.

Now you know where and how to find your iCloud data, let's move on.

How to delete stuff from iCloud

Deleting unnecessary or old and forgotten items from your iCloud is instantly going to help you clean up your storage. Seeing the breakdown of your iCloud contents above gives you a great idea of the areas you need to clean up.

Here's a breakdown of how to remove different types of data.

Delete Files from your iCloud Drive

Open up the Files App.
Under Browse, select iCloud Drive.
Select any file or folder you want to remove.
Press and hold the item, and press Delete.
Go to Recently Deleted in the Files App and permanently remove the files.

Delete App data

Some apps store extra data in iCloud, which also takes up space; here's how to remove it:

Open Settings > Click your name > iCloud > Storage.
Scroll down to see which apps are using iCloud storage.
Select the App with stored data > Press Delete Data from iCloud.

If you're finding removing data a tedious task, then here's a bonus tip for you.

Optimize your iCloud Storage with CleanMyPhone

Managing iCloud storage can be overwhelming, especially, so if you’re looking for a tool that can help, we’ve got good news.

While CleanMy®Phone doesn't directly delete iCloud files, it helps by cleaning up local storage, reducing the clutter that syncs to iCloud because If you've got iCloud Photos enabled, when you delete duplicates from your iPhone, they're instantly removed from your iCloud.

Here's how it works:

Launch the App and press Declutter.
Open the Duplicates category
Select any photos and press Clean to remove them.

If you'd rather not use an app, no worries. Head to the next section for more tips on photo removal.

How to delete pictures from iCloud

Photos and videos take up a large portion of iCloud storage. Here's how to delete them manually.

Delete Photos from iCloud using the Photos App

Open the Photos App.
Select all the photos or videos you want to delete.
Tap the trash bin icon > Delete.
Go to Albums > Recently Deleted and permanently remove them.

Another option to consider is to stop iCloud Photos from syncing to your iCloud; here's how:

Open the Settings App > Click your name > iCloud > Photos.
Toggle off Sync this phone.
Choose to remove media from the iPhone or download photos & videos before turning it off.

How to delete backups on iCloud

Old iPhone backups can take up gigabytes of iCloud storage. If you no longer need them, follow these steps to delete them:

Open the Settings App on your iPhone.
Tap your name > iCloud > Storage > Backups.
Select the backup you want to delete.
Tap Turn Off and Delete from iCloud.

How to delete all things from iCloud

If you want to completely wipe your iCloud storage, all the tips we've outlined in this article will help you achieve this. A final thing to do is to Turn Off iCloud Sync – In Settings > iCloud > Saved to iCloud > toggle off all apps to prevent future uploads.

FAQs: How to delete things from iCloud

What happens when you delete data from iCloud?

Deleted files, photos, and backups are removed from all synced devices. Photos and files stay in Recently Deleted for 30 days, while backups and some app data are erased immediately.

Can deleted iCloud data be recovered?

Files and photos can be restored from Recently Deleted within 30 days, but backups and certain app data are permanently lost once deleted.

Knowing how to delete stuff from iCloud can help you free up storage, organize files, and manage backups efficiently. For more iPhone cleanup tips, check out this guide on the best free iPhone cleaner apps.