Deleting photos on your iPhone or iPad is a straightforward process, whether you want to remove a single image or multiple files. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on how to delete photos permanently, recover deleted photos, and manage your photo storage.
iPhone showing Delete Photo option
Deleting Individual Photos or Videos
To delete a single photo or video:
- Open the Photos app.
- Locate the photo or video you wish to delete.
- Tap the Trash icon (located in the bottom right corner).
- Confirm deletion by tapping “Delete Photo.”
Deleting Multiple Photos or Videos
To delete multiple photos or videos:
- Open the Photos app.
- Tap “Select” in the top right corner.
- Tap individual photos to select them or drag your finger across multiple photos.
iPhone showing multiple photos selected in the Photos app
- Tap the Trash icon.
- Confirm the deletion.
Understanding the Recently Deleted Album
Deleted photos and videos aren’t immediately removed from your device. They’re moved to the “Recently Deleted” album for 30 days, allowing you to recover them if needed. After 30 days, they’re permanently deleted.
Recovering Deleted Photos
To recover photos from the “Recently Deleted” album:
- Open the Photos app.
- Scroll down and tap “Albums.”
- Scroll down to “Utilities” and tap “Recently Deleted.”
- Tap “Select.” Choose the photo(s) you want to recover.
- Tap “Recover” in the bottom right corner.
Permanently Deleting Photos
To permanently delete photos from the “Recently Deleted” album:
- Follow steps 1-3 for recovering deleted photos.
- Tap “Select.” Choose the photo(s) you want to permanently delete.
- Tap “Delete” in the bottom left corner.
- Confirm permanent deletion.
Managing Storage and iCloud Photos
If you use iCloud Photos, deleting a photo or video on one device removes it from all your devices synced with the same Apple ID. To manage your device’s photo storage:
- Go to Settings > General > [Device] Storage.
Deleting Duplicates
On iOS 16 and later, you can easily delete duplicate photos:
- Open the Photos app.
- Scroll down to “Utilities” and tap “Duplicates.”
- Review the duplicates and tap “Merge” to combine them.
Key Considerations Before Deleting Photos
- Back up important photos and videos: Before deleting anything, ensure you have a backup to avoid permanent loss.
- iCloud Shared Photo Library: If you’re part of a shared library, understand that deleting a photo removes it for everyone.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage and delete photos on your iPhone or iPad, ensuring your device stays organized and your precious memories are preserved or removed as desired.
