Delete iTunes Backup File on Mac & Windows
To delete an iTunes backup file on a Mac or Windows PC, open the device management section in Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (Windows or older macOS), find the Backups list, right-click the backup you want to remove, and choose Delete. This permanently erases that backup from your computer, freeing storage space but removing your only copy of that device’s data unless you have another backup elsewhere.
What iTunes Backups Actually Are
iTunes (and the Finder on modern macOS) creates full snapshots of an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch whenever you sync, update, or manually back up the device. These backups contain nearly everything on the device: photos, messages, app data, settings, health data, and more. They are stored locally on your computer, not in iCloud, and can consume several gigabytes each depending on the device’s storage.
Unlike iCloud backups, local iTunes backups are not encrypted by default. If you want to protect sensitive data like passwords and health information, you must check “Encrypt local backup� and set a password. That password is not recoverable if forgotten, so deleting an encrypted backup without knowing its password is the only way to remove it.
Where Backup Files Are Stored
Before deleting, it helps to know exactly where these files live. On a Mac, the backup folder is at:
~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
On Windows, the location depends on the version:
- Windows 10/11:
\Users\[username]\Apple\MobileSync\Backup - Older Windows:
\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup
Inside that folder, each backup is a subfolder with a long string of letters and numbers (the device’s UDID). You can see the date and size of each folder to identify which backup corresponds to which device, but the folder names are not human-readable.
How to Delete via Finder or iTunes
The safest method is through the software interface, because it prevents you from accidentally deleting the wrong folder. Here are the steps for both platforms:
- Connect your device to the computer and unlock it. If prompted, tap “Trust This Computer.�
- On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, open Finder. On Windows or older macOS, open iTunes.
- Click the device icon that appears near the top left of the window.
- In the “Backups� section, you’ll see a list of backups for that device, each with a date and time.
- Right-click (or Control-click on Mac) the backup you want to delete and select “Delete.�
- Confirm the deletion when asked. The backup is moved to the Trash (Mac) or Recycle Bin (Windows), so you can restore it if you change your mind—until you empty the Trash/Recycle Bin.
If you want to permanently free the space immediately, empty the Trash or Recycle Bin after deletion.
How to Delete Manually (and Why You Might)
Sometimes the software method fails—for example, if the backup is corrupted or the device is no longer recognized. In that case, you can delete the backup folder directly. This is riskier because you might delete the wrong folder, so double-check the folder’s modification date and size before removing it.
To delete manually:
- Quit Finder or iTunes completely.
- Navigate to the backup folder location shown above.
- Sort the folders by date modified. The most recent backup will have the latest date.
- Move the specific folder to the Trash/Recycle Bin, or delete it permanently with Shift+Delete on Windows or Command+Option+Delete on Mac (bypasses the Trash).
If you’re unsure which folder is which, you can check the Info.plist file inside each backup folder—it contains the device name and UDID. Open it with a text editor to see the device name.
Common Problems and Mistakes
One frequent issue is that the “Delete� option is grayed out in Finder/iTunes. This usually happens when the backup is in use or the device is not connected. Try disconnecting the device and restarting the software. If that doesn’t work, restart your computer and try again.
Another mistake is confusing a backup with a full device restore. Deleting a backup does not affect the device itself; it only removes the copy on your computer. The device’s current data stays intact.
A critical misconception is that deleting a backup frees iCloud storage. It does not. Local backups are separate from iCloud backups. To manage iCloud storage, you must go to Settings on the device or iCloud.com.
What to Do Before You Delete
Before permanently removing any backup, verify that you have another copy of your data if you might need it. If you have an iCloud backup, that’s fine. If not, consider creating a fresh backup to another location (like an external drive) or to iCloud first.
Also, if you have an encrypted backup, make sure you remember the password. Once the backup is deleted, there is no way to recover the data it contained, and the password becomes irrelevant. If you’re deleting an old backup to make space, it’s safe to do so as long as you have a newer backup of that device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting an iTunes backup delete my photos or messages?
No. The backup is a copy of your device’s data. Deleting it only removes that copy from your computer. Your device keeps its own data until you erase it. However, if you later restore your device from a backup and you deleted the only backup, you won’t have that data to restore.
How do I know which backup is which?
In Finder/iTunes, each backup shows a date and time. If you have multiple devices, connect each one and see which backups are listed. The list is per device, so you’ll only see backups for the connected device. Manually, you can open the Info.plist file in each backup folder to see the device name.
Can I delete only part of a backup?
No. Backups are stored as a single folder with many files. You cannot selectively remove photos or messages from a backup. You must delete the entire backup. To free space without losing data, you could enable iCloud backups and delete the local one.
Why is my backup folder so large?
Backups include almost all app data, photos, and system settings. Apps that store large amounts of data (like games, messaging apps, or photo libraries) can make backups several gigabytes. You can reduce backup size by turning off app data backup for specific apps in the device’s backup settings, but that’s not available for all apps.
Is it safe to delete backups from an old device I no longer own?
Yes, if you no longer need the data from that device. If you think you might need to restore that device or access its data in the future, keep the backup. Otherwise, deleting it is safe and frees space.
Does deleting a backup affect iCloud backups?
No. Local backups and iCloud backups are separate. Deleting a local backup does not change your iCloud backup. You manage iCloud backups separately in the device’s Settings.
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