I’m trying to free up iCloud storage.

I’ve removed apps from the library but they still show up as backing up under iCloud storage. And there is no difference in the amount of storage back ups is using. Next I adjusted the setting under screen time / content and privacy restriction to allow for deleting apps. Problem is, now I can’t find the apps to try deleting them again. They don’t come up when i search in the library. So why are they still showing under the iCloud / manage storage / back ups? BTW this is happening on both my iPhone and ipad. I thought the iCloud was supposed to take care of all devices. I’ve deleted messages on one that don’t delete on another. Why so complicated??? Help please!