Deleting all photos on your iPad can free up valuable storage space or allow for a fresh start. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to delete all photos from your iPad, including permanently deleting them from the Recently Deleted album. We’ll also cover important precautions to take before deleting your photos.
Back Up Your iPad Photos Before Deleting
Before you delete anything, back up your iPad! This ensures you have a copy of your photos and videos should you need them later. You can back up your iPad using iCloud or a computer. Losing precious memories can be devastating, so this step is crucial.
alt text: iPhone showing the iCloud backup screen.
Deleting Photos on Your iPad: Step-by-Step
There are two main ways to delete photos on your iPad: deleting individual photos and deleting multiple photos at once.
Deleting Single Photos
- Open the Photos app: Locate and tap the Photos icon on your iPad’s home screen.
- Select the photo: Tap the photo you want to delete to view it in full screen.
- Tap the Trash icon: The trash icon is located in the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Confirm Deletion: Tap “Delete Photo” to confirm you want to remove the image.
Deleting Multiple Photos
- Open the Photos app.
- Tap “Select” in the top right corner.
- Choose the photos you want to delete: Tap individual photos to select them, or drag your finger across multiple photos to select a range quickly.
- Tap the Trash icon.
- Confirm Deletion: Tap “Delete [Number] Photos” to permanently remove the selected images.
iPhone showing multiple photos selected in the Photos app
Permanently Deleting Photos from Recently Deleted Album
Deleted photos are moved to the “Recently Deleted” album for 30 days before being permanently erased. To delete them immediately:
- Open the Photos app.
- Go to Albums: Tap the “Albums” tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Open Recently Deleted: Scroll down to the “Utilities” section and tap “Recently Deleted.”
- Select Photos: Tap “Select” and choose the photos you want to permanently delete or tap “Delete All”.
- Tap Delete: Tap the Delete icon (trash can) and confirm you want to delete the photos from all devices.
Using iCloud Shared Photo Library (iOS 16 and Later)
If you’re using iCloud Shared Photo Library, remember that deleting a shared photo removes it for everyone sharing the library. Only the original uploader can recover permanently deleted photos from a shared library.
What If I Synced Photos from My Computer?
If you added photos to your iPad by syncing with a computer, you’ll need to delete them from your computer first. Then, sync your iPad again to remove them from your device.
Recovering Accidentally Deleted Photos
You have 30 days to recover deleted photos from the “Recently Deleted” album. Follow the steps above to access the album, select the photos you want to recover, and tap “Recover.”
Conclusion
Deleting all photos on your iPad is a straightforward process, but remember to back up your important photos and videos beforehand. Take advantage of the “Recently Deleted” album as a safety net for accidental deletions. By following these steps, you can manage your iPad’s photo storage efficiently and ensure you never lose precious memories. Remember to always back up your data before making significant changes!
