How to delete old iPhone and iPad backups on a Mac

Every time you back up an iPhone or iPad to your Mac, the backup stays on your startup disk. Backups of old phones, or several backups of the same device, can easily add up to tens of gigabytes. Here is how to find them and delete the ones you no longer need without touching the latest backup.

Option 1: in Storage settings

1. Open System Settings → General → Storage.
2. Click the ⓘ next to iOS Files.
3. Select a backup you no longer need, check its date and device, and click Delete.

Option 2: in Finder

1. Connect your iPhone or iPad and select it in the Finder sidebar.
2. On the General tab, click Manage Backups.
3. Select an old backup and click Delete Backup.

On macOS Mojave and earlier, the same list is in iTunes under Preferences → Devices.

Where the backups live

Backups are stored in ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup, one folder per backup with a long identifier as its name. You can open the folder from Finder with Shift Command G, but deleting from Storage settings or Finder is safer because they show the device name and date.

Which backups to keep

• The latest backup of each device you still use, unless that device backs up to iCloud.
• Encrypted backups you may need: they include saved passwords, Wi-Fi settings and Health data.
• Backups of devices you sold or replaced long ago can usually go once you've checked that nothing on them is missing from your current phone or iCloud.

Old iPhone and iPad updates

Finder also downloads iOS and iPadOS software updates to your Mac before installing them. Once a device is updated, the old update file isn't needed; Finder downloads it again if it ever has to.

Find backups and updates with Roomy

Roomy lists iPhone and iPad backups and old device updates in its User Files category, with each backup's size. Backups are rated Caution and are never selected for you, and anything you choose goes to the Trash first.

Frequently asked questions