Cannot Delete an iCloud Backup on iPhone 18 Pro? How to Fix

This article explains how to identify and fix problems with deleting iCloud backups. You may create iCloud backups of your iPhone 18 Pro so you don’t lose your important information on your iPhone. While backups are important, you may want to remove old backups to free up space in iCloud. For instance you may want to delete your iCloud backups for devices you no longer own.

Normally, backups can easily be deleted from an iPhone by going to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. However, sometimes you may see a vague message stating “cannot delete backup” when you try to delete your old iCloud backups. Error messages you may see:

Cannot Delete Backup. This backup cannot be deleted at this time.

This selected items couldn’t be deleted. Try Again Later

How to fix “Cannot Delete Backup” iCloud Error.

Please perform each step until your issue is resolved:

1-Reboot your device. Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then drag the Power Off slider. To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

An illustration of iPhone with arrows pointing to the side button on the upper right and a volume button on the upper left.

2-Try these steps:

Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > and turn off ‘Back Up This iPhone’,
Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Select your device backup that you cannot delete
You will see a spinning wheel (backup options) that indicates that iCloud is busy performing an operation:
Wait a few seconds until this wait cursor is gone.
Now try to delete your backup (tap Turn Off and Delete from iCloud)

3-Log out of iCloud by going to Settings > [your name] and Sign Out. Wait a few seconds and go to Settings on your iPhone 18 Pro, and sign in.

4-Tap Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > and turn off ‘Back Up This iPhone’, wait a few seconds and turn on again.

5-Try removing your backup using another device. For instance, you may use your Mac by going to Apple menu > System Settings, then click your name. Click iCloud, click Manage, then click Backups, select a device, then click Delete.

6-Force restart your iPhone. Press and quickly release the volume up button. Press and quickly release the volume down button. Press and hold the side button. When the Apple logo appears, release the side button.

An illustration of iPhone with arrows pointing to the side button on the upper right and the volume up and volume down buttons on the upper left.