When you install a large app like Genshin Impact, which saves its data through an external account (such as a HoYoverse login), it often doesn’t need to be backed up to iCloud at all. However, Apple’s system doesn’t allow you to exclude specific apps from your iCloud backup until they’ve been backed up at least once. This creates a frustrating loop for apps that are too large to back up in the first place.
As a result, your iPad’s automatic iCloud backup may fail if one app exceeds your available storage. You can’t turn off backup for that app until a successful backup has occurred—which doesn’t work when that very app is causing the failure. This puts you in a position where your entire device’s backup process is blocked unless you uninstall the large app, which is especially inconvenient.
This happens because Apple’s backup settings only generate the per-app toggle list after the first full backup is created. Until that happens, iCloud assumes all app data should be included. If one app makes the backup too large to complete, the system can’t even give you the chance to exclude it, since it never finishes that first backup cycle.
One effective workaround is to perform an initial iCloud backup before installing any storage-heavy apps. Set up your iPad with your essential apps and let iCloud complete its first full backup. Once that’s done, you can install large apps like Genshin Impact. After the app is installed, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Manage Storage > Backups > [Your iPad] > Show All Apps, and disable backup for that specific app. This ensures that future backups will skip it entirely.
If you’re comfortable with manual backups, another good alternative is to back up your device locally using a Mac or PC. On macOS, connect your iPad to your computer, open Finder, and select Back Up Now. On Windows, you can use iTunes. Be sure to enable encrypted backups to preserve passwords and other sensitive data. This method bypasses iCloud and gives you more control over what gets saved.
Unfortunately, Apple hasn’t yet addressed this long-standing issue despite user feedback. If you’d like to encourage change, consider submitting your thoughts through Apple’s official feedback page at apple.com/feedback. Many users have asked for more control over iCloud backup settings—especially the ability to exclude apps before the first backup is completed.
In summary, you're encountering a real limitation in Apple’s iCloud backup design. Until Apple makes changes, your best options are to complete a full iCloud backup before installing large apps, or rely on local computer backups for more flexibility.
