With the increased use of smartphones and high-quality cameras, it is no surprise that people take more photos now than ever before. Photos are a great way to capture memories, but they can also take up a lot of space on your iPhone. If you find your phone’s storage is running low due to the plethora of photos, you may need to clear the photo storage. In this blog, we discuss how to clear photo storage on iPhone, and how to keep your photos safe.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Clear Your Photo Storage on iPhone
Clearing your photo storage on iPhone is essential for several reasons. Here are some of the reasons why people may need to clear their photo storage on iPhone:
- You want to free up space on your iPhone
- You want to get rid of duplicate photos that are taking up unnecessary space
- You want to increase the speed of your iPhone by removing unwanted data
- You want to protect your photos by backing them up to a cloud service or computer
Method 1: Via the Photos app on your iPhone
The easiest way to clear photo storage on iPhone is through the Photos app. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone
2. Tap on "Albums" in the bottom menu
3. Select "All Photos"
4. Tap on "Select" in the upper right-hand corner
5. Use your finger to select each photo you want to delete or tap "Select All" to delete all of them
6. Tap the trash can icon in the bottom right-hand corner
7. Choose "Delete Photos" or "Cancel"
Pros:
- Easy and quick to do
- No external tools or equipment necessary
- Free up a lot of storage space
Cons:
- The process can be time-consuming if you have a lot of photos
- Deleting photos from the Photos app also removes them from iCloud
- Deleted photos cannot be recovered if you don’t have a backup
Method 2: Via iCloud.com
Another way to clear photo storage is through iCloud.com. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
1. Open a web browser and go to iCloud.com
2. Log in using your Apple ID credentials
3. Click on "Photos"
4. Select "All Photos"
5. Use your mouse to select each photo you want to delete or click "Select All" to delete all of them
6. Click the trash can icon in the top right-hand corner
7. Confirm by clicking on "Delete"
Pros:
- Easy to do with simple steps
- Can delete multiple photos at once
- iCloud Photos keeps a trash folder with deleted photos for 30 days
Cons:
- Deleting photos from iCloud Photo Library also removes them from all devices synced with iCloud
- Deleted photos cannot be recovered if not backed up
Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications
If you are looking for a more in-depth way to clear photo storage, there are several third-party apps available. These applications help you find and delete unwanted photos on your iPhone with ease. Here are some popular third-party applications you can use to delete photo storage:
a. Gemini Photos: Free to download, this app allows you to scan your library for unwanted photos, duplicate photos, screenshots, and similar images. It then provides suggested copies to delete, and you can free up space on your phone.
b. Google Photos: This free app provides unlimited photo and video storage. It organizes old photos to make them easier to find and allows you to back up photos and videos to a cloud-based service. You can then delete the photos from your phone to save space.
c. MemoryUp: This is a free app that helps manage the space on your phone. MemoryUp identifies and deletes unwanted photos and documents and provides suggestions to save space.
Pros:
- Ability to find and delete specific types of photos, such as duplicates
- Free to download and use
- Clean up your Phone’s storage at once
Cons:
- You must trust the third-party application to delete your photos
- You must download another app, which can take up additional space on your phone
- Some apps may not be free.
What to Do if You Can’t Clear Photo Storage?
If you are unable to clear your photo storage due to any of the steps mentioned above, don’t worry! Here are some potential fixes:
- Verify that your iPhone is updated with the latest iOS version
- Check your iCloud Storage to verify there’s space. If you are out of space in the iCloud, you will not be able to delete photos through iCloud or Photos app.
- Check if an iPhone app is backing up all your photos
- Connect your iPhone to a computer and offload photos to a local drive or external hard drive
Bonus Tip
A great way to free up space on your iPhone is using cloud storage such as iCloud. You can then back up your photos to iCloud and delete them off your iPhone. So, instead of storing all the pictures on your iPhone, a better option is to back them up, this will not just save your memory, but it will also ensure the safety of your data.
FAQ
Q. How often should you clear your photo storage?
A. It depends on your usage and the size of your library. Generally, it’s recommended to keep backups and clear your storage at least once a year.
Q. What happens if I delete a picture by accident?
A. If you deleted a photo by mistake, you can retrieve it from your recently deleted photos section if you haven’t deleted it permanently
Q. Can I still recover my photos if I didn’t backup beforehand?
A. Once deleted, photos can’t be recovered undeleted from an iPhone until they are backed up.
Q. Is it possible to delete photos from iPhone and keep them on iCloud?
A. No, deleting photos from the Photos app also removes them from iCloud Photo Library, and deleting photos from iCloud Photo Library also removes them from all devices synced with iCloud
Q. Can I trust third-party applications to delete photos from my iPhone?
A. Most reliable third-party applications delete photos with ease; however, you must verify the reputation of these apps and read reviews before choosing one.
Final Thoughts
Clearing photo storage on your iPhone is necessary to free up space and prevent your phone from slowing down. There are several ways to clear photo storage on your iPhone, and each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages. You can choose the method that works best for you based on their pros and cons. Once you have cleared your storage, be sure to back up your photos to prevent losing your precious memories.