Deleting photos from your iPad is a straightforward process, but there are nuances to ensure you’re removing them permanently or recovering them if needed. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough for various deletion scenarios.
Deleting Individual or Multiple Photos on iPad
The Photos app offers a simple way to delete single or multiple photos. Deleted photos are moved to the Recently Deleted album for 30 days before being permanently erased.
Removing Single Images
- Open the Photos app.
- Locate the photo you want to delete.
- Tap the trash can icon.
- Confirm deletion by tapping “Delete Photo.”
iPhone showing Delete Photo option
Deleting Multiple Photos at Once
- Open the Photos app.
- Tap “Select” in the top right corner.
- Tap individual photos or drag your finger across multiple images to select them.
- Tap the trash can icon.
- Confirm deletion.
iPhone showing multiple photos selected in the Photos app
Permanently Deleting Photos from iPad
To permanently remove photos, you need to delete them from the Recently Deleted album. Remember, after 30 days, photos in this album are automatically deleted forever.
- Open the Photos app.
- Navigate to the “Albums” tab.
- Scroll down to “Utilities” and tap “Recently Deleted.”
- Authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID if prompted.
- Select the photos you want to permanently delete.
- Tap the “Delete” button and confirm. You can also choose “Delete All” to empty the entire album.
Recovering Deleted Photos from the Recently Deleted Album
If you accidentally delete a photo, you can recover it within 30 days from the Recently Deleted album.
- Open the Photos app.
- Go to “Albums” > “Utilities” > “Recently Deleted.”
- Unlock the album with Face ID or Touch ID if required.
- Select the photos you want to recover.
- Tap “Recover” and confirm. “Recover All” restores all photos in the album.
Deleting Duplicate Photos
iPadOS 16 and later offer a built-in feature to manage duplicate photos.
- Open the Photos app.
- Scroll down to “Utilities” and tap “Duplicates.”
- Review the suggested duplicates.
- Tap “Merge” to combine duplicates, keeping the highest quality version. Merged duplicates are moved to the Recently Deleted album.
Important Considerations
- iCloud Photos: If you use iCloud Photos, deleting a photo on your iPad will also remove it from all your other synced devices.
- Computer Syncing: Photos synced from a computer cannot be deleted directly on the iPad. You need to disable syncing first.
- Shared Photo Libraries: In shared libraries, anyone can delete photos. However, only the original uploader can permanently delete or recover them from the Recently Deleted album.
By understanding these methods, you can effectively manage your iPad’s photo storage and remove unwanted images, whether you need to delete a single picture or permanently remove a batch of photos. Remember to back up important photos before deleting them to avoid accidental loss.
