How to Delete iPhone Backups on Mac

This guide shows you how to free up storage space on your Mac by deleting old or unnecessary iPhone backups. You’ll learn how to find, delete, and manage backups stored in Finder or iTunes, and what to do if deletion doesn’t go as planned.

What You’ll Need

A Mac running macOS Catalina (10.15) or later, or an earlier version with iTunes.
An iPhone that has been backed up to this Mac at least once.
Administrator access to your Mac (you’ll need to enter your password).

Step-by-Step

Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable. If you’re using macOS Catalina or later, open Finder. If you’re using macOS Mojave or earlier, open iTunes.
Trust the computer if prompted. On your iPhone, tap “Trust” and enter your passcode. On your Mac, click “Trust” if a dialog appears.
Locate your device in Finder or iTunes. In Finder, your iPhone appears under “Locations” in the sidebar. In iTunes, click the device icon near the top-left of the window.
Go to the Backups section. In Finder, scroll to the “Backups” area. In iTunes, click “Summary” in the left sidebar, then find “Backups” in the main window.
Choose a backup to delete. You’ll see a list of backups with dates and sizes. Select the one you want to remove.
Click “Delete Backup”. A confirmation dialog will appear asking if you’re sure. Click “Delete” to confirm.
Verify the deletion. The backup should disappear from the list, and the storage space it used should be freed up on your Mac.

If you want to delete backups without connecting your iPhone, you can use the Finder or iTunes menu directly:

Open Finder or iTunes without connecting your device.
Go to Preferences. In Finder, click “Finder” in the menu bar, then “Settings” (or “Preferences”). In iTunes, click “iTunes” in the menu bar, then “Preferences”.
Click the “Devices” tab. This shows all backups stored on your Mac.
Right-click (or Ctrl-click) a backup and select “Delete” (or “Remove Backup”). Confirm if asked.

Common Mistakes

Deleting the wrong backup: Backups are labeled by date and time. Make sure you’re not deleting the most recent backup you might need.
Not trusting the computer: If you skip the trust prompt, your Mac may not show the device, and you won’t see the backup list.
Using the wrong app: On macOS Catalina and later, backups are managed in Finder, not iTunes. On older macOS, it’s iTunes. Using the wrong one can confuse you.
Deleting backups manually from the folder: The backup folder is hidden and protected. Deleting files manually can corrupt other backups or cause errors. Always use Finder or iTunes.
Ignoring encryption: If your backup is encrypted, you’ll need the password to restore it. Deleting an encrypted backup doesn’t require the password, but you should be sure you don’t need it later.

Tips

Keep at least one recent backup before deleting older ones. You never know when you’ll need to restore your iPhone.
Check backup sizes before deleting. Large backups (several GB) free up the most space.
Use iCloud backups instead if you want to save local space. iCloud backups are stored online and don’t take up Mac storage, but they require iCloud storage space.
Turn off automatic backups for devices you no longer use. In Finder/iTunes, uncheck “Automatically back up when this iPhone is connected” to prevent new backups from being created.
Delete backups of old devices you no longer own. They’re just taking up space.

Troubleshooting

Backup doesn’t appear in the list: If you don’t see any backups, your iPhone may not have been backed up to this Mac before. Check if you have iCloud backups enabled instead. Also, make sure your iPhone is connected and trusted.

Delete button is grayed out: This can happen if you’re not signed in as an administrator. Try logging out and back in with an admin account, or ask the admin to delete the backup.

Deletion fails with an error: Restart your Mac and try again. If the problem persists, check if your Mac’s storage is fullâ€”sometimes the system needs a little free space to complete the operation. You can also try deleting via the Devices tab in Preferences, as described above.

Storage space doesn’t increase: After deleting a backup, the space may not be immediately reflected. Wait a few minutes or restart your Mac. Also, check that the backup was actually deleted by going back to the Backups list.

Can’t find the Devices tab in Preferences: In Finder, it’s under “Settings” (macOS Ventura and later) or “Preferences” (earlier versions). In iTunes, it’s under “Preferences” > “Devices”. If you still can’t find it, make sure you’re using the correct app for your macOS version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting a backup erase my iPhone data?

No. Deleting a backup only removes the copy stored on your Mac. Your iPhone’s current data remains untouched. However, you won’t be able to restore from that backup in the future.

How can I tell which backup is which?

Each backup is labeled with the device name, date, and time. If you have multiple devices, the name helps identify them. You can also right-click a backup and select “Show in Finder” to see its exact file location.

Can I delete backups from the Finder folder directly?

It’s not recommended. The backup folder is hidden and protected. Deleting files manually can corrupt other backups or cause errors. Always use Finder or iTunes to delete backups safely.

Do I need to connect my iPhone to delete backups?

No, you can delete backups without connecting your iPhone by going to Finder/iTunes Preferences > Devices. However, connecting your iPhone is the most straightforward way if you’re already doing a backup or sync.

What’s the difference between deleting a backup and turning off backups?

Deleting a backup removes an existing backup. Turning off backups prevents new backups from being created. You can turn off automatic backups in Finder/iTunes by unchecking the box next to “Automatically back up when this iPhone is connected”.

Will deleting a backup affect my iCloud backup?

No. Local backups on your Mac and iCloud backups are separate. Deleting a local backup has no effect on your iCloud backups.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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