How to Download iCloud Backup to PC Before Clearing iCloud Storage

March 20, 2026Iris Walker

Whether you have an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, it is important to take regular backups. Apple makes this process very easy with its iCloud service. However, sometimes, if you just want to download iCloud photos backup to PC for viewing, or download contacts from iCloud for backup in future use, the process is not simple. And iCloud is exactly the way to back up your iPhone, but it fails to keep data for you forever, because it has limited free space. If you want to back up more iPhone data to iCloud on PC, then you have to pay for more storage space, $20 for 10 GB per year. Otherwise, you have to delete your iCloud backup to embrace new added backup on iCloud. Under such circumstances, you must be eager to know how to download backup from iCloud and clear up iCloud for more space. In this article, you will find the answer.

Download iCloud to PC

Part 1. How to Back Up iPhone/iPad/iPod to iCloud

Before downloading iCloud backup, you must be sure you have made iCloud backup. Here are the simple steps to direct you how to make iOS devices (iPhone, iPad and iPod) backup to iCloud. You need to keep your iPhone connect Wi-Fi at first.

On your iPhone, choose "Settings" > "iCloud"> "Storage & Backup".

Turn on iCloud Backup and click "Back Up Now". The data in your iPhone will be backed up into the iCloud account.

Part 2. How to Download iCloud Backup to PC

Method 1. Download iCloud Data from iCloud Website

iCloud works well for users, and you can access some synced data from the iCloud website or through iCloud for Windows.

However, iCloud only allows you to view certain types of data, such as photos, contacts, notes, and emails. It does not allow you to directly preview the detailed contents of an iCloud backup file or download the full backup to your computer. Therefore, if you want to manually download some files stored in iCloud, you need to use the iCloud website. See the steps below.

Step 1.
Go to the iCloud website and sign in with your iCloud account.
Step 2.
Select the data type you want to download.

For example, if you want to download photos from iCloud, click “Photos”, find the photo you want, and then click “Download” in the top menu. In this way, you can preview and download iCloud photos to your PC. However, you often need to download them one by one, which can be inconvenient if you have a large number of photos.

If you want to download contacts, notes, or emails from iCloud to your computer, you need to open each item individually and export or copy the information. This process can be time-consuming.

In addition, some data types such as apps, messages, and certain backup contents cannot be directly accessed or downloaded from the iCloud website.

Method 2. Download iCloud Backup with iCloud Downloader

For the above method of downloading backup from iCloud is disabled for you, so we suggest you the second way here, with a iCloud downloader like Aiseesoft iPhone Data Recovery. This program is the fastest iCloud backup downloading software, which makes it a cinch to download iCloud contacts , messages, Apps, music, photos, etc. Here we provide the detailed instruction of how to use it to download iCloud photos and contacts to PC. For other data you want to download form iCloud, you can do it in the same way.

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Step 1.
Once you download this program and install it, you'll see three recovery modes. Click the last one option and it will ask you to enter your iCloud credentials.
Fonelab Sign Into iCloud Account
Step 2.
After you login, please select the iCloud Backup option and click Start. It will display all backup files record with different dates. Find the backup you want to download.
Fonelab Download iCloud Backup File
Step 3.
After downloading the files, you will be asked to choose the type that you want to recover, if you want to download all iCloud backup, then tick all of them. Optionally, you could select contacts, messages, Apps, photos, etc. to download from iCloud backup. Then wait seconds for this program to scan the data.
Fonelab Choose Item From iCloud Backup File
Step 4.
Click the file type from the left sidebar, and all the details will be displayed on the right. Choose the data that you want to download, then click "Recover" to download your iCloud backup to PC with one click. You could find the downloaded backup in the pop-up window after finishing the downloading process.
Fonelab Recover Deleted Files From iCloud Backup File

Compared with the first method, iCloud Downloader works better to download iCloud backup for PC. More than download iCloud photos, video, music, etc., it helps to restore contacts from iCloud with simple steps. If you lost data on your iPhone, iPad or iPod, you can use it to recover deleted files.

You can learn the steps from the video below:

Video Recover Deleted iPhone Data play-button

Part 3. How to Clear iCloud Backup and Free Up Storage

If you need to free up more storage space in iCloud, you can delete old iCloud backups. Removing unnecessary backups can help you regain more storage for new data.

Follow the steps below to delete an iCloud backup on your iPhone:

Step 1.
Open “Settings” on your iPhone.
Step 2.
Tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen.
Step 3.
Tap “iCloud”.
Step 4.
Select “Manage Storage”.
Step 5.
Tap “Backups”, choose the device backup you want to delete, and then tap Delete Backup.

After deleting old backups, you will have more available storage space for new iCloud backups.

Some users also prefer keeping an additional backup on their computer for easier access and extra safety. In the following sections, we will introduce more ways to back up your iPhone data.

Part 4. FAQs About Downloading iCloud Backup

Can you download an iCloud backup directly?

No. iCloud does not allow users to directly download a full backup file. You can only restore it to an iOS device.

How do I download photos from iCloud to PC?

You can download photos from the iCloud website or use iCloud for Windows to sync them to your computer.

Can I view iCloud backup files?

Normally you cannot view the detailed contents of an iCloud backup without using a specialized tool.

Conclusion

This guide explained how to back up your iPhone, download data from iCloud, and clear old backups to free up storage space. While iCloud is convenient for syncing and backing up data, it does not allow users to directly download full backup files or easily manage large amounts of data.

Therefore, if you want to access specific files such as photos, contacts, or messages from an iCloud backup, using a professional tool can be a more efficient solution. At the same time, keeping an extra backup on your computer can help you better protect and manage your important iOS data.

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