Bottom Line: It is safe to delete old iPhone and iPad backups from the MobileSync/Backup folder. Doing so will not affect your iOS device or iCloud backups. It can instantly free up 20 GB to 100 GB+ on your Mac.
What is the MobileSync Backup Folder?
Located at ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup on macOS (or %AppData%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup on Windows), MobileSync is where Finder and iTunes save full local backup files of connected iPhones, iPads, and iPods.
Every time you back up an iPhone or iPad to your Mac, Apple creates a snapshot containing all camera roll photos, app data, message attachments, and system settings. Old backups from previous devices or outdated iOS versions remain saved on your Mac drive indefinitely.
Can You Delete MobileSync Backups?
✅ Yes, it is safe to delete old backups.
- Device safety: Deleting a backup file off your Mac does NOT delete any photos, apps, or data currently on your active iPhone or iPad.
- iCloud Backups: If you back up your iPhone to iCloud, local Mac backups are completely redundant.
How to Safely Delete iPhone/iPad Backups on Mac
Do not delete folders inside MobileSync/Backup blindly via Finder, as the folder names are cryptic UUID strings (like 00008030-001234...). Instead, use macOS Storage Management or Finder.
Method 1: Using macOS Storage Management (Easiest)
- Click the Apple Menu () > System Settings > General > Storage.
- Scroll down and click iOS Files (or iPhone/iPad Backups).
- Select old device backups from the list and click Delete.
Method 2: Delete via Finder
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac via cable.
- Open Finder and select your device in the sidebar.
- Under the General tab, click Manage Backups….
- Right-click the old backup you wish to remove and click Delete Backup.
Related Guides
- Learn about deleting [iOS System Data / Other Storage].
- How to clean up iOS Update Files.
- Check if you can delete macOS Caches.
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