How to Delete Photos From iCloud (While Keeping Them on Your iPhone)

Why You Need to Delete Photos From iCloud

With the advancement of smartphones and the increasing storage capacity of devices, we tend to capture countless memorable moments through our cameras. As a result, our iCloud storage can quickly become cluttered with hundreds or even thousands of photos. However, keeping every photo saved in iCloud may not be the most efficient or practical option.

Here are a few reasons why you may need to delete photos from your iCloud account:

Free up storage: iCloud offers a limited amount of free storage space, and exceeding that limit can lead to additional charges. By deleting unnecessary photos from iCloud, you can free up space for other important files or future backups.
Enhance device performance: Having a large number of photos stored on iCloud can slow down your device’s performance, especially if you have a device with limited memory or an older model. Deleting photos from iCloud can help improve your device’s speed and responsiveness.
Protect your privacy: If you have photos in your iCloud account that you no longer want to keep, it’s important to delete them to safeguard your privacy. Keeping unwanted or sensitive photos stored in the cloud increases the risk of unauthorized access or privacy breaches.
Organize your photo library: Over time, our photo galleries can become cluttered with duplicates, screenshots, or blurry images. Deleting unnecessary photos from iCloud allows you to declutter and better organize your photo library, making it easier to find and preserve your most cherished memories.

By realizing the benefits of deleting photos from iCloud, you can maintain an organized and optimized digital storage system that aligns with your needs and preferences.

How to Delete Photos From iCloud Using Your iPhone

If you’re looking to free up storage space in your iCloud account by deleting photos, you can easily accomplish this using your iPhone. Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Open the Photos App

On your iPhone, locate and open the “Photos” app. This app is usually represented by a multicolored flower icon.

Step 2: Select the Photos to Delete from iCloud

Navigate to the album or folder where the photos you want to delete are located. Tap on “Select” at the top right corner of the screen. You can now select individual photos by tapping on them, or you can choose multiple photos by sliding your finger across the screen.

Step 3: Delete the Photos from iCloud

Once you have selected the desired photos, tap on the trashcan icon at the bottom right corner of the screen. A confirmation message will appear, asking if you want to delete the selected photos. Tap on “Delete [X] Photos” to confirm and remove the photos from your iCloud account.

It’s important to note that deleting photos from iCloud using your iPhone will not delete them from your device’s local storage. The photos will still be accessible on your iPhone, and you can choose to delete them from there as well if desired.

By following these straightforward steps, you can effectively delete unwanted or unnecessary photos from iCloud using your iPhone, freeing up valuable storage space and organizing your photo library.

Step 1: Open the Photos App

To start deleting photos from iCloud using your iPhone, you need to open the Photos app. Here’s how:

Locate the “Photos” app on your iPhone’s home screen. The Photos app icon resembles a multicolored flower.
Tap on the Photos app icon to open it. The app will launch, displaying your photo library.

The Photos app provides access to all the photos and videos stored on your device, as well as those synced with iCloud. It offers various sorting and viewing options, allowing you to easily navigate through your photo collection.

If you can’t find the Photos app icon on your home screen, you can use the iPhone’s search function. Simply swipe down from the middle of your home screen to access the search bar, then type “Photos” into the search field. The app should appear in the search results, and you can tap on it to open it.

Once the Photos app is open, you’ll be ready to move on to the next step for deleting photos from iCloud.

Step 2: Select the Photos to Delete from iCloud

After opening the Photos app on your iPhone, the next step in deleting photos from iCloud is selecting the specific photos you want to remove. Follow these instructions:

Navigate to the album or folder containing the photos you wish to delete. You can tap on the “Albums” tab at the bottom of the screen to access different albums, such as “All Photos,” “Favorites,” or custom albums you’ve created.
Once you’re in the desired album or folder, tap on the “Select” button located at the top-right corner of the screen. This will enable the selection mode, allowing you to choose which photos to delete.
To select individual photos, tap on them one by one. Each selected photo will display a blue checkmark icon on the bottom-right corner. If you want to select multiple photos at once, slide your finger across the screen to highlight and select a group of photos.
If you’ve accidentally selected the wrong photo, simply tap it again to deselect it. The blue checkmark will disappear, indicating that the photo won’t be deleted.

Take your time to review and carefully select the photos you want to remove from iCloud. This step ensures that you only delete the photos you no longer need while preserving the ones you want to keep.

With the photos selected, you’re ready to proceed to the next step and perform the actual deletion from iCloud.

Step 3: Delete the Photos from iCloud

Once you have selected the photos you want to remove from iCloud on your iPhone, it’s time to proceed with the deletion process. Follow these simple steps:

At the bottom-right corner of the screen, you will see a trash can icon. Tap on this icon to initiate the deletion process.
A confirmation message will appear, asking if you want to delete the selected photos. The message will indicate the number of photos you have selected for deletion. Take a moment to review your selection and ensure you have chosen the correct photos.
If you are certain that you want to delete the selected photos, tap on the option to “Delete [X] Photos” (where [X] represents the number of selected photos). This action will permanently remove the photos from your iCloud account.

It’s important to note that deleting photos from iCloud using your iPhone will not delete them from your device’s local storage. The photos will still be available on your iPhone unless you delete them separately from your device.

After confirming the deletion, iCloud will remove the selected photos, immediately freeing up storage space for other files or future backups. It may take a few moments for the deletion process to complete, depending on the number of photos you are deleting and your internet connection speed.

By following these simple steps, you can effectively delete unwanted or unnecessary photos from your iCloud account using your iPhone.

How to Delete Photos from iCloud Using a Mac

If you prefer to delete photos from your iCloud account using a Mac, you can easily do so using the Photos app. Follow these steps to delete photos from iCloud on your Mac:

Step 1: Open the Photos App on Your Mac

Launch the Photos app on your Mac by clicking on its icon in the Dock or by searching for it in Spotlight. The Photos app icon resembles a multicolored flower.

Step 2: Select the Photos to Delete from iCloud

In the sidebar on the left side of the app window, locate and select the album or folder that contains the photos you want to delete. You can choose from albums such as “All Photos,” “Favorites,” or custom albums you’ve created. Alternatively, you can use the search bar at the top-right corner of the app window to search for specific photos or albums.

Step 3: Delete the Photos from iCloud

Once you’ve selected the photos you wish to delete, you have a couple of options:

To delete individual photos, simply select them by clicking on them. You can hold down the Command key while clicking to select multiple photos. Selected photos will have a blue border around them.
If you want to delete an entire album, right-click on the album name and choose “Delete Album” from the context menu. This will delete the album and its contents.
To delete multiple consecutive photos, select the first photo, then hold down the Shift key and click on the last photo. This will select all the photos in between the first and last selected photos.

After selecting the desired photos or albums to delete, press the Backspace or Delete key on your keyboard. A confirmation prompt will appear, asking if you want to delete the selected photos. Click on “Delete” to confirm and delete the photos from iCloud.

Deleting photos from iCloud using a Mac allows you to efficiently manage and organize your photo library without the need for a mobile device. By following these steps, you can easily remove unwanted photos from your iCloud account using your Mac.

Step 1: Open the Photos App on Your Mac

If you are using a Mac and want to delete photos from your iCloud account, the first step is to open the Photos app. Here’s how to do it:

Locate the Photos app icon in your Mac’s Dock or use Spotlight to search for it. The Photos app icon is a multicolored flower.
Click on the Photos app icon to launch the application. The Photos app will open, displaying your photo library.

The Photos app on your Mac provides a unified platform where you can view, organize, and edit your photos. It syncs with your iCloud account, allowing you to access and manage your photos across all your Apple devices.

When the Photos app launches, you will see different tabs at the top of the window, such as “Photos,” “For You,” “Albums,” and “Projects.” The “Photos” tab shows all your synced photos, “Albums” contains custom albums and smart albums, and “Projects” allows you to create photo projects such as books or calendars. You can navigate between these tabs to access specific features and functionalities.

By opening the Photos app on your Mac, you are setting the stage to delete photos from your iCloud account efficiently and effectively.

Step 2: Select the Photos to Delete from iCloud

After opening the Photos app on your Mac, the next step to delete photos from your iCloud account is to select the specific photos you want to remove. Here’s how you can do it:

Navigate to the album or folder where the photos you wish to delete are stored. You can click on the “Photos” tab to view all your synced photos or choose a specific album from the “Albums” tab.
Once you are in the desired album or folder, you can start selecting the photos you want to delete. There are several ways to make selections:

To select individual photos, click on each photo while holding down the Command key on your keyboard. Each selected photo will be outlined with a blue border.
If you want to select a continuous range of photos, click on the first photo, then hold down the Shift key and click on the last photo. This will select all the photos in between.
To select multiple non-consecutive photos, hold down the Command key and click on each photo you want to include in the selection.

Take your time to review and carefully select the photos you want to remove from iCloud. This step allows you to ensure that you are deleting the right photos and avoid unintentional deletions.

With the photos selected, you are now ready to proceed to the next step and delete them from your iCloud account.

Step 3: Delete the Photos from iCloud

Once you have selected the photos you want to delete from your iCloud account using the Photos app on your Mac, it’s time to complete the deletion process. Follow these steps:

After selecting the desired photos, right-click on one of the selected photos to bring up a context menu.
In the context menu, choose the “Delete [X] Photos” option, where [X] represents the number of selected photos. Alternatively, you can press the Backspace or Delete key on your keyboard.
A confirmation prompt will appear, asking if you want to delete the selected photos from your iCloud account. Carefully review your selection to ensure you’re deleting the correct photos.
Click on the “Delete Photos” button to confirm the deletion. The selected photos will be permanently removed from your iCloud account.

It’s important to note that deleting photos from your iCloud account using the Photos app on your Mac does not delete them from your local device storage. The photos will still remain on your Mac unless you choose to delete them separately.

After confirming the deletion, the Photos app will proceed to remove the selected photos from your iCloud account. This process may take a few moments, depending on the number of photos being deleted and your internet connection speed.

By following these simple steps, you can easily delete unwanted or unnecessary photos from your iCloud account using your Mac’s Photos app.

How to Delete Photos from iCloud By Turning Off Photo Library

If you want to delete photos from your iCloud account in a more comprehensive way, you can consider turning off the iCloud Photo Library feature. This will remove all synced photos from iCloud while keeping them on your iPhone. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Open Settings on Your iPhone

Unlock your iPhone and tap on the “Settings” app. The app icon resembles a gear and can usually be found on the home screen.

Step 2: Tap on Your Name

Scroll down and tap on your name at the top of the Settings app. This will open your Apple ID settings.

Step 3: Tap on iCloud

In the Apple ID settings, find and tap on the “iCloud” option. This will open the iCloud settings menu.

Step 4: Tap on Photos

Scroll down the list of apps using iCloud and tap on “Photos” to access the iCloud Photo settings.

Step 5: Disable the iCloud Photo Library

In the Photos settings, toggle off the “iCloud Photo Library” option. A pop-up message will appear, asking if you want to remove your iCloud photos from this iPhone. Tap on “Remove from iPhone” to confirm.

By turning off the iCloud Photo Library feature, all photos synced to iCloud will be removed from your account, but they will remain on your iPhone’s local storage. This action will prevent the photos from being stored and synced to iCloud in the future, effectively freeing up iCloud storage space.

It’s important to note that by disabling iCloud Photo Library, any changes or deletions made to your photo library on other devices will not be reflected on this iPhone. Also, any new photos you take or import on this iPhone will not be uploaded to iCloud.

By following these steps, you can delete photos from your iCloud account while retaining them on your iPhone by turning off iCloud Photo Library.

Step 1: Open Settings on Your iPhone

If you want to delete photos from your iCloud account by turning off the iCloud Photo Library feature on your iPhone, the first step is to open the Settings app. Follow these instructions:

Unlock your iPhone by entering your passcode or using Touch ID/Face ID.
Locate the Settings app on your home screen. The app icon looks like a gray gear. Tap on it to open the app.

Opening the Settings app allows you to access various settings and configurations on your iPhone. It is the central hub where you can manage different aspects of your device’s functionality, including iCloud settings.

When the Settings app opens, you will see a list of settings options grouped into sections. Scroll through the options until you find the one with your name at the top (if you are signed in with your Apple ID). Tap on your name to access your Apple ID settings.

If your device is not signed in with an Apple ID, you can skip the step of tapping on your name, and instead, directly look for the “iCloud” option in the main settings menu.

By opening the Settings app on your iPhone, you are taking the first step towards deleting photos from your iCloud account by turning off the iCloud Photo Library feature.

Step 2: Tap on Your Name

After opening the Settings app on your iPhone, the next step to delete photos from your iCloud account by turning off the iCloud Photo Library feature is to tap on your name. Follow these steps:

In the Settings app, scroll down until you see the section with your name or profile picture at the top. This section is labeled “Apple ID, iCloud, iTunes & App Stores” and includes your personal information.
Tap on your name or profile picture. This will open the Apple ID settings, where you can manage various aspects of your Apple account.

Tapping on your name in the Settings app allows you to access and modify the settings associated with your Apple ID. This includes options for iCloud, iTunes & App Stores, Family Sharing, and more.

Within your Apple ID settings, you’ll find a variety of options that you can control and customize according to your preferences. This is where you’ll manage your iCloud storage, subscriptions, payment methods, and other personal details tied to your Apple account.

By tapping on your name, you are taking the next step towards deleting photos from your iCloud account by accessing the specific section where iCloud settings are located.

Step 3: Tap on iCloud

After tapping on your name in the Apple ID settings, the next step to delete photos from your iCloud account by turning off the iCloud Photo Library feature is to tap on “iCloud.” Follow these instructions:

Within the Apple ID settings, scroll down until you find the section labeled “iCloud.” Tap on “iCloud” to access the iCloud settings menu.

Tapping on “iCloud” within your Apple ID settings allows you to manage various aspects of your iCloud account, including storage, backups, app data, and more.

When you access the iCloud settings, you will see a list of apps and services that use iCloud on your iPhone. This includes options such as Photos, Mail, Contacts, Calendars, and more.

By tapping on “iCloud,” you will enter into the realm of iCloud settings, where you can make changes and modifications to the way your iPhone interacts with your iCloud account.

This step is crucial as it leads you to the specific settings related to iCloud, enabling you to continue with turning off the iCloud Photo Library feature and delete photos from your iCloud account.

Step 4: Tap on Photos

After accessing the iCloud settings on your iPhone, the next step to delete photos from your iCloud account by turning off the iCloud Photo Library feature is to tap on “Photos.” Follow these instructions:

Within the iCloud settings menu, scroll down until you find the “Photos” option. Tap on “Photos” to access the specific settings related to iCloud photo management.

Tapping on “Photos” within the iCloud settings allows you to control how your iPhone handles the synchronization and storage of your photos in iCloud.

Within the Photos settings, you can configure various options, such as enabling iCloud Photos, accessing photo stream albums, managing shared albums, and more.

By tapping on “Photos,” you are entering a subsection of iCloud settings dedicated specifically to managing and controlling your photo library on iCloud.

This step is crucial as it leads you to the exact settings where you can turn off the iCloud Photo Library feature, which will ultimately result in the deletion of photos from your iCloud account while keeping them on your iPhone.

Step 5: Disable the iCloud Photo Library

After navigating to the “Photos” settings within the iCloud settings on your iPhone, the final step to delete photos from your iCloud account is to disable the iCloud Photo Library feature. Here’s how you can do it:

Within the “Photos” settings, you will see the option to enable or disable the “iCloud Photo Library.” This option allows you to sync and store your photos across all your devices signed in with the same Apple ID.
To delete photos from your iCloud account while keeping them on your iPhone, toggle off the “iCloud Photo Library” option. You can do this by tapping on the toggle switch to the right of the option.
A pop-up window will appear, asking if you want to remove your iCloud photos from this iPhone. Carefully read the message and understand that turning off the iCloud Photo Library will indeed remove the synced photos from iCloud while keeping them on your device. Tap on “Remove from iPhone” to confirm this action.

Disabling the iCloud Photo Library will stop the synchronization of photos between your iPhone and iCloud. It effectively deletes the photos from your iCloud account while preserving them on your device.

It’s important to note that if you have other Apple devices using iCloud Photo Library, those devices will continue to sync and store photos in iCloud. This action only affects the specific iPhone where you disabled the iCloud Photo Library.

By following these steps and disabling the iCloud Photo Library feature on your iPhone, you have successfully deleted photos from your iCloud account while retaining them on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions about Deleting Photos from iCloud

Deleting photos from iCloud can sometimes raise questions or concerns. Here are some frequently asked questions to provide further clarity:

Will deleting photos from iCloud also delete them from my device?

No, deleting photos from iCloud will not delete them from your device’s local storage. The photos will remain on your device unless you choose to delete them separately.

Can I delete photos from iCloud without deleting them from my iPhone?

Yes, you can delete photos from your iCloud account without deleting them from your iPhone by turning off the iCloud Photo Library feature. This allows you to remove photos from iCloud while keeping them on your device.

Can I recover photos deleted from iCloud?

Once you delete photos from iCloud, they are typically permanently removed. However, if you have a backup available, you may be able to restore the deleted photos from the backup. It’s always a good practice to regularly back up your photos to prevent data loss.

Will deleting photos from iCloud free up storage space on my device?

No, deleting photos from iCloud will not directly free up storage space on your device. However, it will prevent new photos from automatically syncing and consuming more storage. To free up space on your device, you can delete unwanted photos locally or optimize your device’s storage through the Settings app.

Will deleting photos from iCloud delete them from shared albums?

No, deleting photos from iCloud will not delete them from shared albums. The photos will be removed from your iCloud account, but they will remain visible to other members of the shared album.

Can I delete photos from iCloud on a Windows PC?

Yes, you can delete photos from your iCloud account on a Windows PC by accessing the iCloud website or using the iCloud for Windows app. These tools allow you to manage and delete photos from your iCloud storage.

These frequently asked questions should address common concerns and provide useful information about deleting photos from iCloud.