Deleting all photos from your iPhone or iPad can be done in a few simple steps, but it’s crucial to back up anything you want to keep first. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on How To Delete All Photos permanently, including those in recently deleted albums.
iPhone showing multiple photos selected in the Photos app
Backing Up Your Photos Before Deletion
Before you delete anything, back up your photos and videos. iCloud Photos automatically syncs your photos across your devices. When you delete a photo on one device, it’s deleted everywhere. Learn how to back up your photos to iCloud or a computer to avoid permanent loss. Checking your device’s storage status in Settings > General > [Device] Storage can also help you manage your photo library effectively.
Deleting Photos: Single, Multiple, and All
Photos and videos deleted from your device are moved to the Recently Deleted album for 30 days before being permanently erased.
Deleting a Single Photo
- Open the Photos app.
- Select the photo you want to delete.
- Tap the trash can icon, then confirm by tapping Delete Photo.
Deleting Multiple Photos
- Open the Photos app.
- Tap Select in the top right corner.
- Tap each photo you want to remove or drag your finger across multiple photos to select them.
- Tap the trash can icon, then confirm to delete.
iPhone showing Delete Photo option
Permanently Deleting Photos from Recently Deleted Album
This is how to delete all photos permanently from your device.
-
Open the Photos app.
-
Scroll down and tap Albums.
-
Tap Recently Deleted.
- On iOS 16 and later, you may need to use Face ID or Touch ID to unlock this album.
-
Tap Select. You can select photos individually, or choose Delete All in the top left to delete everything in the album.
-
Tap Delete and confirm your choice. This action cannot be undone.
iCloud Shared Photo Library Considerations
If you’re using iCloud Shared Photo Library, anyone with access can delete photos. However, only the original uploader can permanently remove photos from the Recently Deleted album. Remember, you have 30 days to recover deleted photos from this album.
Managing Duplicate Photos
On iOS 16 and later, the Photos app can automatically detect and help you manage duplicate photos.
- Open Photos.
- Scroll to Utilities and tap Duplicates.
- Review the duplicates and tap Merge to combine them into a single photo with the best quality. Merged duplicates are moved to the Recently Deleted album.
Conclusion: Delete All Photos With Care
Deleting all photos from your iPhone or iPad is a permanent action. Always ensure you have a backup before proceeding. Use the steps outlined in this guide to remove single, multiple, or all images from your device, including permanently deleting them from the Recently Deleted album. Remember to carefully consider the implications of deleting photos from a shared iCloud library.
