iCloud Photos is a convenient service that allows you to store and access your photos and videos across all your Apple devices. However, there may come a time when you want to declutter your iCloud storage by deleting unwanted photos. Whether you're looking to free up space or organise your media, this guide will walk you through the steps to how to delete icloud photos while ensuring you don't lose any cherished memories.
Step 1: Access Your iCloud Photos
Before you delete any photos, make sure you have backed up any important images to another location, such as your computer or an external hard drive. Once you've done that, follow these steps to delete photos from iCloud:
On iOS Devices (iPhone or iPad):
Open the Photos app and select the "Photos" tab at the bottom. Browse through your photos to find the ones you want to delete. Tap on a photo to open it, then tap the trash icon in the bottom right corner. Confirm your choice by selecting "Delete Photo."
On Mac:
Open the Photos app on your Mac. Navigate to the photo you want to delete, then right-click on it and select "Delete [Photo Name]." Alternatively, you can select the photo and press the "Delete" key on your keyboard.
Step 2: Deleting Photos from iCloud
Deleting photos from your device doesn't necessarily remove them from iCloud. To completely delete photos from iCloud, you'll need to follow these steps:
On iOS Devices:
Go to your device's Settings, then tap on your Apple ID at the top. Select "iCloud" and then "Photos." Toggle off the "iCloud Photos" option. A pop-up will appear asking if you want to remove photos from your iPhone/iPad – select "Remove from iPhone" if you're sure you have them backed up.
On Mac:
Open the Photos app on your Mac. Click on "Photos" in the top left corner, then select "Preferences." In the "iCloud" tab, uncheck the "iCloud Photos" box. A pop-up will ask if you want to remove iCloud photos from your Mac – confirm if you're certain they're backed up.
Step 3: Managing Deleted Photos
When you delete photos from iCloud, they are moved to the "Recently Deleted" album. These photos are kept for a specific period before being permanently deleted. Here's what you can do:
On iOS Devices:
Open the Photos app, select the "Albums" tab, and then tap on "Recently Deleted." Here, you can see the photos that are waiting to be permanently removed. To delete them completely, tap on "Select" in the upper right corner, then choose "Delete All" or select individual photos and tap "Delete."
On Mac:
In the Photos app, click on "Recently Deleted" in the sidebar. Similar to iOS, select the photos you want to permanently delete and click "Delete" in the upper right corner.
Conclusion
Managing your iCloud photos ensures that you have control over your digital memories while keeping your storage organized. Whether you're freeing up space or curating your collection, deleting photos from iCloud is a straightforward process. Just remember to back up any precious images before you proceed. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently delete unwanted photos from iCloud without worrying about losing the moments that matter most to you.
