Need to free up space in your iCloud account? Deleting photos is a quick way to reclaim storage. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to delete photos from iCloud using your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or iCloud.com. We’ll also cover important considerations like backing up your photos before deletion.
iPhone screen showing the Recommended For You suggestions within iCloud settings.
Deleting Photos from iCloud using Your Devices
Removing photos from iCloud Photos is straightforward and syncs across your devices. Remember, deleting a photo from iCloud Photos removes it from all your Apple devices signed in with the same Apple ID.
iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro
- Open the Photos app.
- Tap All Photos (or All in older iOS versions).
- Tap Select, then choose the photos you want to delete.
- Tap the Delete icon (trash can) and confirm by tapping Delete Photo or Delete Video.
Mac
- Open the Photos app.
- Select the photos you want to delete.
- Press the Delete key on your keyboard and confirm by clicking Delete.
iCloud.com
- Go to www.icloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Open the Photos app.
- Select the photos you want to remove. You can select multiple photos using Command + A (Mac) or Control + A (Windows) for all photos or individually select them while holding down the Command (Mac) or Control (Windows) key. On iOS, iPadOS, or visionOS, tap Select then choose the photos you want to delete or tap Select All.
- Click or Tap the Delete button and confirm.
Understanding iCloud Photo Library and Recovery Options
If you’re using iCloud Photos, deleted photos move to the Recently Deleted album for 30 days before being permanently erased. You can recover photos from this album within that timeframe. However, if you exceed your iCloud storage limit, deleted photos are removed immediately without going to the Recently Deleted album.
Important Considerations Before Deleting iCloud Photos
Before deleting your photos, consider these essential tips:
- Back Up Your Photos: Ensure you have a backup of important photos before deleting them from iCloud. You can back up to your computer, an external hard drive, or another cloud storage service.
- iCloud Storage Limits: Deleting photos often stems from low iCloud storage. If you frequently run out of space, consider upgrading your iCloud storage plan.
- Shared Albums: Photos in shared albums only count against the storage of the album creator. Deleting photos from a shared album won’t free up space in your personal iCloud storage unless you are the album creator. Make sure that you’re viewing your Personal Library to delete photos that impact your iCloud storage.
Permanently Deleting Photos from iCloud
To permanently delete photos from iCloud, you need to empty the Recently Deleted album:
On iPhone, iPad or Apple Vision Pro:
- Open the Photos app.
- Go to the Albums tab.
- Scroll down and tap Recently Deleted.
- Tap Select then choose the photos you wish to permanently delete or tap Delete All.
- Confirm by tapping Delete [number] Photos.
On Mac:
- Open the Photos app.
- In the sidebar, click Recently Deleted.
- Click Delete All or select individual photos and click Delete.
- Confirm deletion.
Deleting photos from iCloud can be a necessary step to manage your storage. By following these steps and considering the precautions, you can safely and effectively remove unwanted images and reclaim valuable space in your iCloud account. Learn more about archiving and making copies of the information you save in iCloud.
