How to Stop iCloud from Backing Up a Specific App

Stop iCloud backup for a specific app: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > manage storage or individual app toggles. This prevents the app’s data from backing up to iCloud without deleting the app or disabling iCloud entirely.

Step-by-Step

Settings > [your name] > iCloud: you see a list of apps using iCloud storage. Toggle individual apps off to stop them using iCloud. This affects sync and backup for that app across all your devices.

For iCloud Backup specifically: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Backup Now or toggle. Under "Choose Data to Back Up": see per-app storage usage. Tap an app to see its backup size. Toggle it off to exclude from future backups.

What Happens When You Turn Off iCloud for an App

If the app syncs via iCloud (Notes, Reminders, Contacts): turning off removes iCloud sync. The app data stays on device but does not sync to other Apple devices or back up.

If the app backs up via iCloud Backup: turning off stops future backups but existing backup data in iCloud remains until you manually delete it. Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Account Storage > Backups > your device > shows which apps are included.

Use Cases

Stopping Notes sync on a shared device. Excluding large apps (games, video apps) from iCloud Backup to save storage. Turning off iCloud sync for apps you are migrating to a different service.

Nemos Backup Control

Nemos uses iCloud for sync and backup. To stop Nemos from using iCloud: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Nemos > toggle off. Your library then lives only on this device. If you later want to restore to a new iPhone, Nemos data will not be in your iCloud Backup.

For maximum privacy: disable iCloud for Nemos and turn on “Transcribe on this device” so your library stays on-device. Accept the trade-off that data is not backed up and will not transfer to a new device automatically.