iCloud is a cloud storage and cloud computing service offered by Apple Inc. It allows you to store and access files, photos, videos, and other data across all your Apple devices. iCloud is also popularly used for storing photos and videos by iPhone users. But once your iCloud storage fills up, and you don’t want to pay for extra storage, it may prompt you to delete some of your data, including photos. In this blog post, we will guide you on how to delete photos in iCloud storage on your iPhone.
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The Challenge of Deleting Photos in iCloud Storage
When it comes to deleting photos from iCloud storage on your iPhone, it’s not as straightforward as you might think. One of the major challenges is that some of the photos may be synced across multiple devices, and deleting photos may also delete them from all devices. Hence, before deleting photos from iCloud storage, you need to take several precautions to ensure you don’t lose your precious photos permanently.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before you start deleting photos from iCloud storage, you need to prepare a few things to avoid any mishaps. Here are some of the things you should prepare for:
– Back up your photos to an external hard drive or another cloud storage service to ensure that you don’t lose them.
– Make sure that you have enough space on your iPhone to download all the photos that you want to keep from iCloud.
– Check whether you’ve selected the "Optimize iPhone Storage" option for iCloud Photos. If you have, this means that low-resolution versions of your photos may be stored on your iPhone, and deleting them from iCloud may cause them to disappear from your iPhone as well.
Method 1: Delete Photos from iCloud on iPhone
If you want to delete photos from your iCloud storage on your iPhone, the first method you can try is to do it via the Photos app. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the "Photos" tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap on "Select" at the top right of the screen.
4. Tap on the photos you want to delete. You can select multiple photos at once.
5. Once you’ve selected all the photos you want to delete, tap on the trash icon at the bottom right of the screen.
6. Tap on "Delete X Photos" to confirm your action.
Pros:
– Quick and easy method for deleting individual photos or a few photos at once
– You can preview the photos before deleting them
Cons:
– Not suitable for deleting a large number of photos
– The deleted photos may still be available in the "Recently Deleted" folder for up to 30 days
Method 2: Delete All Photos from iCloud on iPhone
If you have a large number of photos that you want to delete from iCloud storage, you can use the second method to delete all your photos at once. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on your name at the top of the screen.
3. Tap on "iCloud" and then "Photos."
4. Toggle off the "iCloud Photos" option. This will delete all the photos from your iCloud storage.
5. Once you’ve turned off iCloud Photos, a message will appear asking if you want to delete the photos from your iPhone. Tap on "Remove from iPhone" to confirm your action.
Pros:
– Suitable for deleting a large number of photos
– More effective than deleting individual photos
Cons:
– The deleted photos may still be available in the "Recently Deleted" folder for up to 30 days
– Deleting photos via this method will delete them from all your devices, not just your iPhone
Method 3: Delete Photos from iCloud.com
If you prefer to delete photos from iCloud storage on a computer instead of your iPhone, you can use the third method. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Open a web browser on your computer and go to iCloud.com.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
3. Click on "Photos" and then select the photos you want to delete.
4. Once you’ve selected all the photos you want to delete, click on the trash icon at the top of the screen.
5. Click on "Delete" to confirm your action.
Pros:
– Suitable for deleting a large number of photos
– You can preview the photos before deleting them
Cons:
– You need a computer and internet connection to use this method
– Deleting photos via this method will delete them from all your devices, not just your iPhone
Why Can’t I Delete Photos in iCloud Storage?
There may be several reasons why you can’t delete photos in iCloud storage on your iPhone. Here are some of the reasons and fixes:
1. You don’t have enough storage space on your iPhone. Make sure you have enough space to download all the photos you want to keep from iCloud before deleting them.
2. The photos are synced across multiple devices. Deleting photos from iCloud may also delete them from all devices, so make sure you have backed up your photos before deleting them.
3. The "Optimize iPhone Storage" option is selected. If this option is selected, low-resolution versions of your photos may be stored on your iPhone, and deleting them from iCloud may cause them to disappear from your iPhone as well. To fix this, go to Settings > Photos and unselect "Optimize iPhone Storage."
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when deleting photos from iCloud storage on your iPhone:
– Always back up your photos before deleting them.
– Be careful when using the "Delete All Photos" option, as it will delete all photos from your iCloud storage.
– If you’re not sure about deleting photos, move them to the "Recently Deleted" folder first. The photos will stay there for up to 30 days, giving you time to change your mind.
– Consider using an external hard drive or another cloud storage service to store your photos if you don’t want to pay for extra iCloud storage.
5 FAQs about Deleting Photos in iCloud Storage on iPhone
Q1. Will deleting photos from iCloud delete them from my iPhone?
A1. It depends on how you delete the photos. If you delete photos via the Photos app on your iPhone or iCloud.com, deleting them from iCloud will also delete them from your iPhone. If you use the "Delete All Photos" option in Settings, it will delete all photos from your iCloud storage and your iPhone.
Q2. Can I recover deleted photos from iCloud?
A2. Yes, you can recover deleted photos from the "Recently Deleted" folder in the Photos app. The photos will stay there for up to 30 days before they are permanently deleted.
Q3. How can I delete photos from iCloud but not my iPhone?
A3. If you want to delete photos from iCloud but not your iPhone, you need to use a computer and go to iCloud.com. From there, you can select the photos you want to delete and click on the trash icon. This will delete the photos from iCloud but not your iPhone.
Q4. What happens if I turn off iCloud Photos?
A4. If you turn off iCloud Photos, all photos stored in iCloud will be removed from your iPhone. This is because iCloud Photos is a sync service that keeps all of your photos on all of your devices.
Q5. Can I delete all photos from iCloud at once?
A5. Yes, you can delete all photos from iCloud storage at once by turning off the "iCloud Photos" option in Settings. However, be aware that this will also delete all photos from your iPhone and other Apple devices connected to the same iCloud account.
In Conclusion
Deleting photos from iCloud storage on your iPhone can be a challenging task, especially if you have a large number of photos to delete. But with the right preparation and knowledge, you can delete photos safely without losing your precious memories. In this blog post, we have shared three methods for deleting photos in iCloud storage on your iPhone, along with additional tips and precautions to keep in mind. By following these methods, you can free up space on your iCloud storage and keep your photos safe and secure.