Apps downloaded through the App Store are not actually stored in iCloud. However, many apps use iCloud to keep backups, documents, and other data more secure. This wikiHow teaches you how to delete that data from iCloud using an iPad, iPhone, or Mac computer. You can also learn how to set which apps can store data in iCloud, and how to hide unused apps from the App Store history.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Clearing App Data from iCloud Using iPhone and iPad
Step 1. Open Settings
on your iPad or iPhone.
The app icon is in the form of a gear on the main screen.
Step 2. Touch your name on the top side of the Settings menu
Step 3. Touch iCloud
You can find it in the second group of settings. A page with various iCloud options will open. If you are not signed in yet, you must first sign in to your account.
Step 4. Use the toggle button to disable iCloud usage by apps
If you want certain apps to not be able to sync their data to iCloud, scroll down and touch the toggle associated with that app to the Off (grey) position.
Step 5. Touch Manage Storage
It's at the top of the page (above the app list), below "iCloud". This will open a list of apps that have their data stored in iCloud.
Step 6. Touch the desired app to view the saved data
Depending on the app, you may be presented with a list of documents and other data stored in iCloud storage.
Step 7. Touch Delete Data
Some apps display different options, for example Documents & Data or Disable & Delete. Depending on the application, the options displayed will vary. This will bring up a confirmation message.
Step 8. Touch Delete to confirm
It's a red link at the bottom of the screen. All documents and data stored by those apps in iCloud will be deleted.
- Repeat this step on other apps if necessary.
- This does not delete the data contained in the regular backup of the iPad or iPhone. If you want to delete app data in iCloud backup, continue with this method.
Step 9. Return to the iCloud Storage page by touching the Back button
Step 10. Touch Backups in the menu
A list of all iCloud backups associated with your account will appear.
Step 11. Touch your tablet or phone
This will bring up a list of apps that can be backed up on iCloud.
Step 12. Touch Show All Apps to show all apps
A list of all the apps stored in the iCloud backup will appear. Below the name of the application is listed the amount of space used by its application data.
This data will be used when you restore your device using iCloud backup and does not affect the data currently stored on the device
Step 13. Touch the toggle button next to the app until it switches to Off
Do this for any apps that you don't want to back up to iCloud. This will bring up a confirmation message.
Step 14. Touch Turn Off & Delete
This will delete the backed up data, and the app will no longer back up its data to iCloud after this.
Method 2 of 3: Clearing App Data from iCloud on Mac Computer
Step 1. Click Apple
This menu is in the upper left corner.
Step 2. Click on System Preferences in the menu
Step 3. Click Apple ID
You can find it at the top of the window.
Step 4. Set up the apps that can sync with iCloud
The right pane of the page will show you a list of iCloud-compatible apps on your Mac. To prevent the desired app from syncing with iCloud again after this, uncheck the box associated with that app.
Step 5. Click on iCloud located in the left pane
You must sign in or verify your account in order to proceed.
Step 6. Click Manage
This will bring up a list of apps and backups that are using iCloud storage space.
Step 7. Select the desired application
All stored data will be displayed in the right panel.
Step 8. Select the desired item from the data list
You can select multiple items by holding down Command while clicking each option you want.
Step 9. Click Delete below the list
The button is in the lower-left corner of the data view pane. Doing so will delete the selected data from iCloud. Repeat this step on other desired applications.
Method 3 of 3: Hiding Deprecated Apps in App Store
Step 1. Open the App Store
on your iPad or iPhone.
If you no longer want to associate an app with your account, hide the app from appearing in the App Store. The App Store is usually placed on the main screen or in a specific folder.
Step 2. Touch the account photo
You can find it in the upper right corner. If you don't post a photo, the image shown is a circle with your initials in the center.
Step 3. Tap Purchased which is at the top of the Account menu
A list of all the apps that have been downloaded using this Apple ID will appear.
Step 4. Swipe the app you want to delete to the left
A red button that says "Hide" will be displayed.
Step 5. Touch the red Hide button
The app will be removed from the list of apps you've downloaded or purchased. Repeat this step for the other apps on the list.
- This action is solely for managing the appearance of an app in the list, and will not free up storage space on your iCloud account or device.
- Hidden apps can be downloaded again as usual through the App Store.
Tips
- Some apps provide the option to store their data in iCloud or on the device.
- You can delete the entire backup completely from iCloud backup on a desktop computer. However, you can't select specific app data from the backup.
