How Do I Turn Off iCloud Photos?

Turning off iCloud Photos can free up storage space on your devices or simply change how you manage your photo library. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for disabling iCloud Photos on individual devices or across all your Apple devices. Remember to back up your photos and videos before making any changes!

Disabling iCloud Photos: A Step-by-Step Guide

Before turning off iCloud Photos, download your existing photos and videos to your device to prevent any accidental data loss. This ensures you have a local copy of your entire library.

Turning Off iCloud Photos on a Single Device

iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro:

1. Navigate to Settings, then tap your name.
2. Select iCloud > Photos.
3. Toggle off “Sync this [Device]”.

Mac:

1. Open System Settings and tap your name.
2. Click on iCloud, then select Photos.
3. Uncheck “Sync this Mac”.

Windows PC:

1. Launch iCloud for Windows and ensure you’re logged into your Apple ID.
2. Beside Photos, click Options.
3. Deselect iCloud Photos.
4. Click Done, then Apply.

Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD:

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > iCloud.
2. Under the Photos section, press Select to disable iCloud Photos.

Disabling iCloud Photos Across All Devices

Important: This action will delete your photos and videos from iCloud after 30 days. Ensure you have a backup before proceeding.

iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro:

1. Go to Settings and tap your name.
2. Select iCloud, then tap Storage (or Manage Account Storage in iOS 17 or earlier).
3. Tap iCloud Photos.
4. Choose Turn Off & Delete Photos (or Turn Off & Delete from iCloud in iOS 17 or earlier). You have 30 days to recover your photos if you change your mind.

Mac:

1. From the Apple menu, choose System Settings.
2. Click Apple Account (or Apple ID in macOS Sonoma or earlier).
3. Select iCloud, then click Manage.
4. Choose iCloud Photos and click Turn Off and Delete from iCloud (or select Photos then click Turn Off and Delete in macOS Sonoma or earlier). Your photos and videos will be deleted from iCloud after 30 days. You have a 30-day window to recover them.

Understanding the Implications

Disabling iCloud Photos stops the synchronization of your photos and videos across your devices. New photos and videos will no longer be automatically uploaded to iCloud, and changes made on one device won’t be reflected on others. Remember to choose the option that best fits your photo management needs. You can always re-enable iCloud Photos later if you choose.