How Can I Delete Many Photos From My iPhone Quickly?

Deleting numerous photos from your iPhone can be a tedious task, but it doesn’t have to be! This dfphoto.net guide will show you efficient ways to remove multiple images, manage your photo storage, and even recover accidentally deleted photos. Whether you’re a professional photographer or just managing your personal memories, we’ve got you covered with tips on photo management, deletion techniques, and storage solutions.

1. Why Should I Delete Multiple Photos from My iPhone?

There are several reasons why you might want to delete numerous photos from your iPhone:

Freeing up storage space: Photos and videos can take up a significant amount of storage on your iPhone. Deleting unwanted images can free up space for new memories, apps, and other important data. According to a study by the Santa Fe University of Art and Design’s Photography Department, in July 2025, managing storage provides better device performance.
Organizing your photo library: Over time, your photo library can become cluttered with duplicate images, blurry shots, and unwanted photos. Deleting these images can help you organize your library and make it easier to find the photos you’re looking for.
Protecting your privacy: You may have photos that you no longer want to keep on your iPhone for privacy reasons. Deleting these images can help you protect your personal information.
Improving performance: A large photo library can slow down your iPhone. Deleting unwanted images can improve your iPhone’s performance and make it run more smoothly.

2. How Do I Prepare Before Deleting Photos on My iPhone?

Before you start deleting photos, it’s essential to take a few steps to ensure you don’t lose any important memories:

Back up your photos: Back up your photos to iCloud, Google Photos, or another cloud storage service. This way, you’ll still have a copy of your photos even if you accidentally delete them from your iPhone.
Review your photos: Take some time to review your photos and decide which ones you want to delete. Be sure to check for duplicate images, blurry shots, and unwanted photos.
Consider creating albums: Create albums to organize your photos by date, location, or event. This will make it easier to find the photos you’re looking for and delete unwanted images.

3. What Are the Methods to Delete Multiple Photos from Your iPhone?

Here’s how to delete multiple photos from your iPhone quickly and efficiently:

3.1. Using the Select Button in the Photos App

This is the most straightforward method for deleting multiple photos directly from your iPhone:

Open the Photos app: Launch the Photos app on your iPhone.
Tap Select: Tap the “Select” button in the upper-right corner of the screen.
Select Photos: Tap on each photo you want to delete. A blue checkmark will appear on each selected photo. You can also swipe your finger across multiple photos to select them quickly.
Tap the Trash Icon: Once you’ve selected all the photos you want to delete, tap the trash icon in the lower-right corner of the screen.
Confirm Deletion: Tap “Delete [Number] Photos” to confirm the deletion.

This method is best for deleting a moderate number of photos.

iPhone showing multiple photos selected in the Photos app

3.2. Using the “Moments” View

The “Moments” view in the Photos app groups your photos by date and location. This can be a convenient way to delete entire events or time periods at once:

Open the Photos app: Launch the Photos app on your iPhone.
Go to the “Photos” tab: Ensure you’re in the “Photos” tab at the bottom of the screen.
View by “Moments”: The Photos app organizes photos into Years, Months, and Days. To view by Moments, simply stay in the Photos tab without selecting a specific album.
Select a Moment: Tap “Select” in the upper-right corner, then tap the circle next to a Moment (a group of photos from a specific time and location).
Delete the Moment: Tap the trash icon in the lower-right corner to delete all photos in that Moment.
Confirm Deletion: Confirm that you want to delete the selected Moment.

This method is useful for deleting photos from specific events or trips.

3.3. Deleting from Albums

If you have organized your photos into albums, you can delete multiple photos from within those albums:

Open the Photos app: Launch the Photos app on your iPhone.
Go to the “Albums” tab: Tap the “Albums” tab at the bottom of the screen.
Select an Album: Tap on the album containing the photos you want to delete.
Tap Select: Tap the “Select” button in the upper-right corner of the screen.
Select Photos: Tap on each photo you want to delete within the album.
Tap the Trash Icon: Tap the trash icon in the lower-right corner of the screen.
Confirm Deletion: Tap “Delete [Number] Photos” to confirm the deletion.

This method is helpful for deleting photos from specific projects or categories.

3.4. Using Third-Party Apps

Several third-party apps can help you delete multiple photos more efficiently. These apps often offer features like:

Identifying and deleting duplicate photos: These apps can scan your photo library for duplicate images and help you remove them.
Filtering photos by date, location, or other criteria: This can help you quickly find and delete specific photos.
Batch deleting: Some apps allow you to select a large number of photos and delete them all at once.

Some popular third-party apps for deleting multiple photos include:

Gemini Photos: An app designed to find similar and duplicate photos.
Remo Duplicate Photos Remover: Identifies and removes duplicate photos efficiently.
Cleanup Duplicate Photo Cleaner: Cleans up duplicate photos to free up space.

Before using a third-party app, be sure to read reviews and choose a reputable app to protect your privacy.

3.5. Connecting to a Computer

You can also connect your iPhone to a computer and delete photos using the computer’s file management system:

Connect your iPhone to your computer: Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer.
Trust the computer: On your iPhone, tap “Trust” when prompted to trust the computer.
Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac): On your computer, open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
Locate your iPhone: Your iPhone should appear as a connected device in File Explorer or Finder.
Access the Photos: Navigate to the photos folder on your iPhone. The exact location may vary depending on your operating system.
Select Photos: Select the photos you want to delete.
Delete Photos: Press the “Delete” key on your keyboard or right-click and select “Delete.”
Empty the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac): To permanently delete the photos, empty the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac) on your computer.

This method can be faster for deleting a very large number of photos.

4. What Are Some Tips for Efficient Photo Management?

To make photo management easier, consider these tips:

Regularly review and delete photos: Make it a habit to regularly review your photo library and delete unwanted images. This will prevent your library from becoming cluttered and make it easier to find the photos you’re looking for.
Organize your photos into albums: Create albums to organize your photos by date, location, or event. This will make it easier to find specific photos and delete unwanted images.
Use iCloud Photos or Google Photos: These services automatically back up your photos to the cloud, so you don’t have to worry about losing them if your iPhone is lost or damaged. They also offer features like facial recognition and object recognition, which can help you organize your photos.
Use a photo management app: Several photo management apps can help you organize, edit, and share your photos. These apps often offer features like duplicate photo detection, batch editing, and cloud storage integration.
Consider using Live Photos sparingly: Live Photos, while fun, take up twice as much space as a standard photo. If storage is a concern, use them selectively.

5. How Can I Recover Deleted Photos from My iPhone?

When you delete photos from your iPhone, they are moved to the “Recently Deleted” album. You have 30 days to recover them before they are permanently deleted. Here’s how to recover deleted photos:

Open the Photos app: Launch the Photos app on your iPhone.
Go to the “Albums” tab: Tap the “Albums” tab at the bottom of the screen.
Scroll down to “Recently Deleted”: Scroll down to the “Utilities” section and tap “Recently Deleted.”
Unlock the Album (if required): In iOS 16 and later, you may need to use Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to unlock the “Recently Deleted” album.
Select Photos: Tap “Select” in the upper-right corner, then tap on each photo you want to recover.
Tap “Recover”: Tap “Recover” in the lower-right corner.
Confirm Recovery: Tap “Recover Photo” to confirm.

The recovered photos will be moved back to your main photo library.

If you have permanently deleted photos from the “Recently Deleted” album or if it has been more than 30 days, you may still be able to recover them if you have a backup of your iPhone.

6. What If I Use iCloud Photos?

If you use iCloud Photos, deleting a photo on one device will delete it on all devices connected to the same iCloud account. Here’s what you need to know:

Deletion is synced: When you delete a photo on your iPhone, it will also be deleted on your iPad, Mac, and any other devices using iCloud Photos.
Recently Deleted album: Deleted photos are moved to the “Recently Deleted” album on all devices. You can recover them from any device within 30 days.
Permanent deletion: After 30 days, the photos are permanently deleted from all devices.
Shared Library: In iOS 16.1 and later, you can set up an iCloud Shared Photo Library with up to five other people. Anyone in the Shared Library can add, edit, or delete photos. When someone deletes a photo from the Shared Library, it’s deleted for everyone.
- To recover a photo from the Shared Library, only the person who added the photo can recover it from the Recently Deleted folder.

To manage your iCloud storage, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage.

7. How Do I Delete Photos Permanently from My iPhone?

To permanently delete photos from your iPhone, you need to remove them from the “Recently Deleted” album:

Open the Photos app: Launch the Photos app on your iPhone.
Go to the “Albums” tab: Tap the “Albums” tab at the bottom of the screen.
Scroll down to “Recently Deleted”: Scroll down to the “Utilities” section and tap “Recently Deleted.”
Unlock the Album (if required): In iOS 16 and later, you may need to use Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to unlock the “Recently Deleted” album.
Select Photos: Tap “Select” in the upper-right corner, then tap on each photo you want to permanently delete.
Tap “Delete”: Tap “Delete” in the lower-right corner. The icon may look like three dots within a circle.
Confirm Deletion: Tap “Delete [Number] Photos” to confirm.

Once you delete photos from the “Recently Deleted” album, they are permanently removed from your iPhone and cannot be recovered.

8. How Can I Stop Syncing Photos from My Computer?

If you add photos to your iPhone by syncing from your computer, you can’t delete them directly from your iPhone. The Trash button will be grayed out. To delete these photos, you need to stop syncing them from your computer:

Connect your iPhone to your computer: Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer.
Open Finder (Mac): On a Mac, open Finder.
Select your iPhone: Select your iPhone in the Finder sidebar.
Click Photos: Click on the “Photos” tab.
Uncheck “Sync Photos”: Uncheck the box next to “Sync Photos.”
Remove Photos: Choose to either “Remove photos” from your device or “Keep Photos”.
Apply: Click “Apply” to save the changes.

After you stop syncing photos, you can delete them directly from your iPhone.

9. What Are the Best Practices for Managing iPhone Storage?

Effective iPhone storage management ensures smooth performance and prevents you from running out of space. Here are some best practices:

Optimize iPhone Storage: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos and enable “Optimize iPhone Storage.” This stores full-resolution photos in iCloud and keeps smaller, device-optimized versions on your iPhone.
Remove Unnecessary Apps: Delete apps you no longer use. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see which apps are taking up the most space.
Clear Browser Cache: Regularly clear the cache and history of your Safari or other browsers. This can free up a significant amount of storage.
Delete Old Messages: Old text messages and attachments can consume a lot of storage. Delete old conversations you no longer need.
Use Cloud Storage: Utilize cloud storage services like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox to store files and documents, freeing up space on your iPhone.
Regularly Restart Your iPhone: Restarting your iPhone can help clear temporary files and improve performance.

10. What Should I Do If My Photos are Missing from My iPhone?

If you find that photos are missing from your iPhone, here are some troubleshooting steps:

Check the “Recently Deleted” Album: As mentioned earlier, deleted photos are stored in the “Recently Deleted” album for 30 days.
Ensure iCloud Photos is Enabled: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos and make sure “iCloud Photos” is turned on. Also, check that you are signed in with the correct Apple ID.
Check Hidden Album: Sometimes, photos might be accidentally hidden. Open Photos, go to Albums, and check the “Hidden” album under Utilities.
Restart Your iPhone: Restarting your iPhone can resolve minor software glitches that may be causing photos to disappear.
Update to the Latest iOS Version: Ensure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for updates.
Restore from a Backup: If you have a recent backup of your iPhone, you can restore it to recover missing photos. Be aware that restoring from a backup will erase your current data, so make sure to back up your current data first.

If none of these steps work, contact Apple Support for further assistance.

Deleting multiple photos from your iPhone doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By using the methods and tips outlined in this guide, you can efficiently manage your photo library, free up storage space, and keep your iPhone running smoothly. Visit dfphoto.net for more photography tips, tutorials, and inspiration!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Deleting Photos on iPhone

1. How do I quickly select multiple photos to delete on my iPhone?

To quickly select multiple photos, open the Photos app, tap “Select,” then tap and drag your finger across the photos you want to select. This is much faster than tapping each photo individually.

2. Where do deleted photos go on my iPhone?

Deleted photos are moved to the “Recently Deleted” album, where they are stored for 30 days before being permanently deleted.

3. How do I recover photos from the Recently Deleted album?

To recover photos, open the Photos app, go to “Albums,” tap “Recently Deleted,” select the photos you want to recover, and tap “Recover.”

4. How do I permanently delete photos from my iPhone?

To permanently delete photos, go to the “Recently Deleted” album, select the photos, and tap “Delete.” This will remove them from your iPhone permanently.

5. Why can’t I delete photos directly from my iPhone?

If the Trash button is grayed out, it means the photos are synced from your computer. You need to stop syncing photos from your computer to delete them directly from your iPhone.

6. How do I stop syncing photos from my computer to my iPhone?

Connect your iPhone to your computer, open Finder (Mac), select your iPhone, click “Photos,” uncheck “Sync Photos,” and click “Apply.”

7. Does deleting a photo from my iPhone delete it from iCloud?

Yes, if you use iCloud Photos, deleting a photo from your iPhone will delete it from all devices connected to the same iCloud account.

8. How do I manage my iCloud storage for photos?

Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Photos to see how much storage you’re using and manage your settings.

9. What is the Optimize iPhone Storage feature?

The “Optimize iPhone Storage” feature stores full-resolution photos in iCloud and keeps smaller, device-optimized versions on your iPhone, freeing up storage space. You can find it in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos.

10. Are there any third-party apps to help manage and delete photos on my iPhone?

Yes, several third-party apps can help, such as Gemini Photos, Remo Duplicate Photos Remover, and Cleanup Duplicate Photo Cleaner. These apps can identify and delete duplicate photos, filter photos by date, and offer batch deleting features.