Turn off Cloud backup of apps, settings and messages on Apple iOS 18
Cloud backup
Sensitivity 5/5
Default: On
Phones / Apple iOS 18 / Cloud backup of apps, settings and messages
System settings, text message archives and third-party app data are regularly archived to vendor servers. Security depends on whether your cloud provider implements standard or advanced end-to-end encryption.
- Goes to
- Google, Apple, Samsung
- Default
- On
- Control
- Can be switched off
- Effort
- a few seconds
- Needs
- account
How to do it
Open Settings, tap your Apple Account at the top, choose iCloud, then select iCloud Backup. Toggle off Back Up This iPhone.
Usually found under: Settings > [Apple Account] > iCloud > iCloud Backup
Menu names may differ by device and version.
What you lose
Your device will not back up automatically to iCloud; manual local backups via a computer will be required.
What is collected
Text messages, wi-fi passwords, app data, system settings.
It is designed to let users recover their personal files and configurations when replacing a device.
Retention is not stated here. The sensitivity rating is this site's own estimate.