How to Delete Photos from Storage on iPhone

Deleting photos from storage on your iPhone can help free up space and organize your photo library. Whether you’re trying to remove duplicate pictures, clear out older images, or simply declutter your device, this blog post will guide you through various methods to effectively delete photos from storage on your iPhone.

Video Tutorial:

The Challenge of Deleting Photos from Storage on iPhone

Managing photos on your iPhone can be a challenge because each photo takes up storage space, which can quickly fill up your device. Additionally, photos synced from iCloud or other apps may not be directly removable from your device. However, with the right steps and methods, you can easily delete photos from storage on your iPhone.

Things You Should Prepare for

Before proceeding with deleting photos from your iPhone, there are a few important things to keep in mind and prepare:

1. Backup your photos: Before deleting any photos, it’s crucial to create a backup. This ensures that you have a copy of your photos in case of accidental deletion or any issues during the deletion process. You can back up your photos using iCloud or by transferring them to a computer.

2. Check photo storage: It’s important to know how much storage your photos are taking up on your iPhone. You can check this by going to the Settings app, selecting “General,” and then tapping on “iPhone Storage.” This will show you a breakdown of your storage usage, including photos and videos.

3. Sort and organize: If you have a large number of photos, it is helpful to sort and organize them before deleting. This can make the deletion process easier and faster, especially if you want to keep specific photos while deleting others.

Method 1: Using the Photos App

The built-in Photos app on your iPhone provides an easy way to delete photos from storage. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.

2. Tap on the “Albums” tab at the bottom of the screen.

3. Select the album that contains the photos you want to delete.

4. Tap on the “Select” button at the top right of the screen.

5. Tap on each photo you want to delete to mark them with a blue checkmark.

6. Once you have selected all the photos you want to delete, tap on the trash can icon or the “Delete” button.

7. Confirm the deletion by tapping on “Delete [number] Photos.”

Pros:

Pros Cons Quick and easy way to delete multiple photos Cannot directly delete synced photos

Method 2: Via the Recently Deleted Album

When you delete photos in the Photos app, they are moved to the “Recently Deleted” album, where they remain for 30 days before being permanently deleted. Here’s how you can delete photos using this album:

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.

2. Tap on the “Albums” tab at the bottom of the screen.

3. Scroll down and select the “Recently Deleted” album.

4. Tap on the “Select” button at the top right of the screen.

5. Tap on each photo you want to delete to mark them with a blue checkmark.

6. Once you have selected all the photos you want to delete, tap on the “Delete” button.

7. Confirm the deletion by tapping on “Delete [number] Photos” in the pop-up window.

Pros:

Pros Cons Allows for a grace period before permanent deletion Photos still take up storage during the grace period

Method 3: Using the iCloud Photos Option

If you have iCloud Photos enabled, deleting photos from your iPhone could also affect your iCloud storage. Here’s how you can delete photos using this method:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Tap on your name at the top of the screen.

3. Select “iCloud” and then “Photos.”

4. Toggle off the “iCloud Photos” option.

5. In the pop-up window, select “Remove from iPhone” to delete all iCloud photos from your device.

6. This action will prompt you to confirm the deletion. Tap on “Remove [number] Photos.”

Pros:

Pros Cons Allows for easy deletion of all iCloud photos Photos will be permanently deleted from all devices synced with iCloud

Method 4: Via Third-Party Apps

There are various third-party apps available on the App Store that can help you delete photos from storage on your iPhone. These apps often provide additional features such as duplicate photo detection and bulk deletion options. Here’s how you can use a third-party app to delete photos:

1. Install and open a trusted third-party photo management app from the App Store.

2. Grant the necessary permissions for the app to access your iPhone’s photos.

3. Follow the app’s instructions to identify and select the photos you want to delete.

4. Tap on the delete button or follow the specific deletion method provided by the app.

Pros:

Pros Cons Offers additional features like duplicate photo detection Requires downloading and installing a third-party app

Why Can’t I Delete Photos from Storage on iPhone

There could be several reasons why you may face difficulty in deleting photos from storage on your iPhone. Here are some common issues and their fixes:

1. Photos synced from iCloud cannot be directly deleted from your iPhone. To delete these photos, you need to disable iCloud Photos and remove the synced photos from your device using your iCloud account.

2. If you’re unable to delete photos from a specific album, it may be a shared album created by another user. You can ask the album owner to remove the photos or leave the shared album.

3. Some apps or services may have restrictions on deleting photos directly from your iPhone. In such cases, you will need to use their respective apps or websites to delete the photos.

Additional Tips

Here are some additional tips to help you effectively delete photos from storage on your iPhone:

1. Use the “Storage” feature in the Photos app to identify and delete photos with large file sizes, which can quickly free up storage space.

2. Sort photos into albums based on specific categories or events. This can help you locate and manage photos more easily, especially when deleting them.

3. Consider using a cloud-based storage service, such as Google Photos or Dropbox, to back up your photos and free up storage on your iPhone.

5 FAQs about Deleting Photos from iPhone

Q1: Can I recover photos deleted from the “Recently Deleted” album?

A1: Yes, photos deleted from the “Recently Deleted” album can be recovered within 30 days. Simply go to the album, select the photo, and tap on the “Recover” button.

Q2: Will deleting photos from storage on my iPhone also delete them from iCloud?

A2: It depends on your iCloud Photos settings. If you have iCloud Photos enabled, deleting photos from your iPhone will also delete them from iCloud, and vice versa.

Q3: Can I delete multiple photos at once?

A3: Yes, you can delete multiple photos at once using the “Select” option in the Photos app or by using third-party photo management apps.

Q4: What happens if I delete photos from my iPhone without a backup?

A4: If you delete photos from your iPhone without a backup, they cannot be recovered once permanently deleted. Ensure you have a backup before deleting any photos.

Q5: Can I use a computer to delete photos from storage on my iPhone?

A5: Yes, you can connect your iPhone to a computer and use photo management software, such as iTunes or Finder, to delete photos from your iPhone.

In Conclusion

Deleting photos from storage on your iPhone can help free up space and organize your photo library. By following the methods mentioned in this blog post, you can effectively delete photos from storage on your iPhone. Remember to back up your photos before deletion and consider using additional features like sorting into albums or using third-party apps for a better photo management experience. Keep your iPhone clutter-free and enjoy the benefits of a well-organized photo library.

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