Deleting all photos from your iPhone can free up valuable storage space or offer a fresh start. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on how to permanently delete all pictures from your iPhone, including those in Recently Deleted. We’ll cover various deletion methods, ensuring you can choose the best approach for your needs.
Methods to Delete All Photos on iPhone
There are several ways to delete all the photos on your iPhone:
1. Deleting Photos from the Photos App Directly
This method allows you to quickly delete multiple photos at once:
- Open the Photos app: Launch the Photos application on your iPhone.
- Select Photos: Tap “Select” in the top right corner. Choose individual photos by tapping them or swipe across multiple images to select a range. To select all photos in an album, tap “Select All”.
- Delete: Tap the trash can icon in the bottom right corner, then confirm deletion. Remember, these photos will move to the Recently Deleted album.
iPhone showing multiple photos selected in the Photos app
2. Permanently Deleting from Recently Deleted Album
To completely remove photos from your iPhone, you need to delete them from the Recently Deleted album:
- Access Recently Deleted: Open the Photos app, scroll down to the “Utilities” section, and tap “Recently Deleted.”
- Unlock the Album (if required): On iOS 16 and later, you may need to use Face ID or Touch ID to unlock this album.
- Delete Photos: Tap “Select,” choose the photos you wish to permanently delete, tap the trash can icon, and confirm. You can also delete all photos in this folder by tapping “Delete All” in the top left corner.
iPhone showing Delete Photo option
3. Using iCloud Photos to Delete Across Devices
If you use iCloud Photos, deleting a photo on one device removes it from all your synced devices:
- Ensure iCloud Photos is Enabled: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos and check that “iCloud Photos” is toggled on.
- Delete Photos: Delete photos using either of the methods mentioned above. They will be removed from all your devices connected to the same iCloud account.
Important Considerations Before Deleting All Photos
- Back Up Your Photos: Before deleting anything, back up your iPhone to iCloud, a computer, or an external hard drive to ensure you have a copy of your photos.
- iCloud Shared Photo Library: If you participate in a Shared Library, deleting photos will also remove them for other members. Consider downloading important photos before deletion.
- 30-Day Grace Period: Remember, photos in the Recently Deleted album are permanently erased after 30 days.
Conclusion
Deleting all photos from your iPhone is a straightforward process with a few key steps. Always back up your data before deleting anything permanently. By utilizing the methods outlined above, you can effectively manage your iPhone’s photo storage and free up space when needed. Remember to choose the method that best suits your needs and always double-check before permanently deleting photos.
