iCloud backup larger than it should be

Trying to backup my phone to iCloud and the only thing I’m backing up is three apps. Everything else is turned off. Individually they add up to about 8MB, but it says my next backup size is going to be 8.55Gb🤨. Am I missing something? How is the backup going to be that big and how do I fix it?



[Edited by Moderator]

iPhone 14, iOS 18

Posted on Jul 7, 2025 12:39 PM

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4 replies

Jul 8, 2025 07:17 AM in response to draksorer189

Apple_sucs34 wrote: … 11.82GB IOS and 12.94GB System. Is there any way to reduce this so I can backup?

Not much. You can try clearing your Safari cache by going to "Settings>Apps>Safari>Clear History and Website Data."

Clear your cache and cookies on iPhone - Apple Support


There's also, in "Settings>Apps>Safari>Advanced>Website Data," lots of stuff kept for individual website.


You can also go to "Settings > General > iPhone Storage," and select an app. You can either "Offload App" which

removes the app and its cache, but keeps the app data, or "Delete App" which dumps the app and its data.


Here's a hint: we are not Apple; folks who read these posts are just users like you. Some of us hang around here from time to time in case our experience may help someone. We don't get paid and we don't have a schedule, and the Apple engineers don’t read this stuff. Choosing a name like Apple_sucs34 won't encourage us to offer any help. In general, when you ask someone for help, Apple, or anybody, really, you're more likely to get results by being polite and serious, and  stating your concern without trying to offend people. 

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iCloud backup larger than it should be

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