User profile for user: gui_paul
gui_paul Author
User level: Level 1
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iCloud backup size is smaller than the data backed up

I'm planning to factory reset my iPhone Xr in order to start fresh but i want to keep some of the data that is currently on the phone like photos, messages and contacts. I figured that backing up these things to iCloud and then restoring them back after resetting the iphone would be the best solution but after backing up the iPhone to iCloud i noticed the backup size has two different values. On the backups page it says it’s 129.2gb but when i tap on it it says it has 138.69gb. Looking at the iCloud storage management diagram i believe the backup does indeed only take up 129.2gb as before backing up exactly 5gb of iCloud storage were being used. This is worrying because my photo library alone takes up 133.18gb. So i don’t know which of the sizes shown are correct and i am afraid that if i reset my iPhone and restore this backup i might lose data. I tried deleting the backup and backing up again but with the same result. I don’t have the iCloud Photo sync turned on. If someone could help me figure out what is happening i will be very thankful!

iPhone XR, iOS 16

Posted on Sep 26, 2022 07:38 AM

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User profile for user: Lager1
Lager1
User level: Community Specialist

Posted on Sep 28, 2022 08:04 AM

Hi gui_paul,



Welcome to Apple Support Communities.

Since Photos is showing 133GB, you may have previously had iCloud Photos enabled, so that is why you are seeing that as part of your iCloud usage.


As long as you have plenty of iCloud storage, we don't see any issue here and don't believe you will lose any data.


The steps here will help you check your available iCloud storage: Check your iCloud storage online or on any device

  1. "On your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud.
  2. The bar graph shows your overall storage usage.
  3. Tap Manage Account Storage or Manage Storage for more details.
  4. Below the graph, you see a list of apps and features and how much iCloud storage they use. The apps and features that use the most storage are at the top of the list. You can tap an app or feature for more information."



Also, you may ease your concern further by creating a second backup using a computer. Here is how: How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch



We hope this helps.


Cheers!

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Lager1
Lager1
User level: Community Specialist

Sep 28, 2022 08:04 AM in response to gui_paul

Hi gui_paul,



Welcome to Apple Support Communities.

Since Photos is showing 133GB, you may have previously had iCloud Photos enabled, so that is why you are seeing that as part of your iCloud usage.


As long as you have plenty of iCloud storage, we don't see any issue here and don't believe you will lose any data.


The steps here will help you check your available iCloud storage: Check your iCloud storage online or on any device

  1. "On your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud.
  2. The bar graph shows your overall storage usage.
  3. Tap Manage Account Storage or Manage Storage for more details.
  4. Below the graph, you see a list of apps and features and how much iCloud storage they use. The apps and features that use the most storage are at the top of the list. You can tap an app or feature for more information."



Also, you may ease your concern further by creating a second backup using a computer. Here is how: How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch



We hope this helps.


Cheers!

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iCloud backup size is smaller than the data backed up

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