iCloud Backup needs a way to exclude the photo library

sdr984 wrote:Please add a per-device backup toggle to exclude Photo Library (and Messages) from iCloud Backup.

This is a users forum, and we're all users like you. We can't add things to your phone. If you would like to make suggestions to Apple, go here:

Feedback - Photos - Apple

All the experienced users here keep more than one backup.

sdr984 wrote:

I keep 60+ GB of photos on my iPhone, backed up via Google Photos. I don't use iCloud Photos and don't want my photos in iCloud. But iCloud Backup includes the entire on-device photo library whenever iCloud Photos is off, with no toggle to exclude it — Apple's own docs confirm backups include "everything on the device that doesn't already sync to iCloud."

Result: my iPhone backup can never complete on the free 5 GB tier unless I delete photos from my phone, even though I have local space and my photos are backed up elsewhere. The only options offered are buying more storage or deleting my photos.

Please add a per-device backup toggle to exclude Photo Library (and Messages) from iCloud Backup. Backing up "everything except photos" is a reasonable setup that currently isn't possible.

You can let Apple know here Product Feedback - Apple

Your option delete all the photos off your phone since you back it up to google photos.

Or fork out the money to buy more icloud storage.

sdr984 wrote: Yes, I also make backups too. But it’s insane that I have to delete my local photos to back up everything else to iCloud. That is an anti pattern from Apple.

iCloud Mobile Backup isn't really intended as a backup like we normally think of one. It's useful when buying a new iPhone or when some disaster happens to the phone. But, as a backup, it's extremely limited. As you point out, it's all or nothing, and further, it only lasts one day. It is certainly disappointing if you expect more than that.

Yes, I also make backups too. But it’s insane that I have to delete my local photos to back up everything else to iCloud. That is an anti pattern from Apple.