Not enough space to restore: 512GB to 256GB iPhone

[hehe299792458]

I need to temporarily transfer my 512GB iPhone 12 Pro to an old 256GB iPhone X.

However, when I made the backup I neglected to "optimize iCloud photo storage" meaning there's a bunch of iCloud photos in the backup that won't fit in my old 256GB iPhone X. For the next while, I don't have access to my 512GB iPhone 12 Pro to make another (smaller) backup. Is there any way to "edit" the exiting backup (e.g. deleting the photos which are on iCloud anyways) to make it fit on the smaller iPhone X?

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don't believe you can edit an iCloud backup once it has been saved. For future reference, the app iMazing allows you to do that.

 

[Mike Boreham]

It wasn't clear to me whether the OP was trying to resize an iCloud Backup or a Local backup (iTunes or Finder).

I have been in this situation but (unlike the OP) I was able to make a reduced size backup from the 512GB phone.

Useful to know that iMazing can do that...I am not surprised that it can resize a local backup, but I am very surprised that it can resize an iCloud backup. Is that really correct?

I am pretty sure that neither Finder backup nor iCloud backups include the full size photos in Photos, so the "optimise" setting is not relevant. Unfortunately this is not the case with Lightroom which I use. Finder backups include the smart previews which makes for huge local backups. It is possible to exclude Lightroom from iCloud backups but not from Finder/iTunes backups. Sounds like iMazing could do this.

 

[MisterMillz]

Start the iCloud restore. Once you’re able to access the home screen simply go to settings, photos and select optimize storage. It will do exactly what you desire.