How to: Fine-tune iCloud backups

1 Delete old backups

In the iCloud pane of System Preferences, click Manage and then Backups. Your iCloud backups will be listed. If you no longer need one, you can select and delete it to free up space. However, it’s smart to back up the relevant device to iTunes first…

2 Back up to iTunes

Connect your device to your Mac via USB (unless you’ve previously enabled Wi-Fi sync). Select the device in the toolbar under the playback controls, and then select Summary from the sidebar. Click Back Up Now to create a local backup on your Mac.

3 View on iOS

On your device, open the Settings app, and go to General > Storage & iCloud Usage. Tap Manage Storage under the iCloud heading. You’ll see your current plan, along with the same backup details displayed in the previous step when using your Mac. 4 Explore a backup

5 Toggle backup switches

On iOS, you can handily delve into the current device’s backup by tapping it. Under ‘Choose data to back up’, the data being backed up is listed by app. Note that fully displaying this and the Next Backup Size value can take a minute or so. Tap Show All Apps and everything that’s being backed up can be viewed. You can use the switches to turn iCloud backup on and off for specific apps. In most cases, the values won’t make much difference, but some apps require hundreds of GB or more.

6 Keep data safe

If you decide to turn off iCloud backup for some apps, keep your data safe in other ways. With Photo Library, use Photos for Mac to periodically save new photos and videos. Elsewhere, iTunes File Sharing may enable you to save files from other apps.