As mobile technology continues to evolve, the camera on the iPhone has become one of the most commonly used features. With storage capacities increasing, it’s easy to take thousands of pictures and videos, but when it comes time to clear out your device’s storage, it can be challenging to know where to start. Deleting pictures and videos from your iPhone is essential if you want to clear space for new files, but it can be difficult to know how to delete those unwanted files without accidentally deleting ones you want to keep. In this article, we’ll discuss how to delete pictures and videos from your iPhone without losing anything important.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Deleting Pictures and Videos from Your iPhone
When it comes to managing storage on your iPhone, one of the biggest challenges is figuring out which pictures and videos to keep and which ones to delete. With so many photos and videos saved on your device, it can be challenging to know where to start. You also don’t want to lose any important files in the process. The process of deleting pictures and videos from the iPhone is straightforward, but if you’re not careful, you can accidentally delete essential files.
Things You Should Prepare for when Deleting Pictures and Videos from Your iPhone
Before you start deleting pictures and videos, you need to make sure you have backed up all the files you want to keep. You don’t want to lose any essential files in the process. Here are a few things you should prepare for before deleting pictures and videos from your iPhone.
– Back up your files to iCloud or your computer
– Create a new album for the files you want to keep
– Make sure you have enough storage to hold the files you want to keep
Method 1: Deleting Photos and Videos One by One
If you want to delete individual photos and videos, you can do so directly from the Photos app on your iPhone.
1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Find the photo or video you want to delete.
3. Tap and hold the photo or video.
4. Tap the trash icon in the bottom right corner.
5. Confirm you want to delete the photo or video.
Pros:
– You can choose which photos and videos to delete and keep.
– It’s an easy process.
Cons:
– It can be time-consuming if you have a lot of pictures and videos to delete.
– It’s not the best solution if you want to delete many files at once.
Method 2: Deleting Multiple Photos and Videos at Once
If you want to delete many photos or videos simultaneously, you can use the "Select" function in the Photos app on your iPhone.
1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap "Select" in the top right corner.
3. Tap the photos or videos you want to delete.
4. Tap the trash icon in the lower right corner.
5. Confirm you want to delete the selected files.
Pros:
– You can delete many files simultaneously.
– It’s an easy process.
Cons:
– It can be difficult to manage which files you want to delete.
– You might accidentally delete essential files if you’re not careful.
Method 3: Using iCloud Photo Library
Another option to delete photos and videos from your iPhone is by using iCloud Photo Library. iCloud Photo Library stores all your photos and videos in the cloud, freeing up space on your device.
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on your name at the top.
3. Tap "iCloud."
4. Tap "Photos."
5. Turn on iCloud Photo Library.
6. Tap "Optimize iPhone Storage" to free up space on your device.
Pros:
– It’s an excellent way to free up space on your device.
– You can access your photos and videos on any of your Apple devices.
Cons:
– It requires a paid subscription to iCloud.
– It can take some time to upload all your files to the cloud.
Method 4: Using Third-Party Apps
There are many third-party apps available that make it easier to delete pictures and videos from your iPhone. These apps often offer additional features, such as scanning your device for duplicate files or converting files to other formats.
1. Download a third-party app, such as Gemini Photos or Duplicate Photos Fixer.
2. Follow the app’s instructions to scan your device for pictures and videos to delete.
3. Select the files you want to delete.
4. Confirm you want to delete them.
Pros:
– Some third-party apps offer additional features, such as duplicate file detection.
– They often have a user-friendly interface.
Cons:
– Some third-party apps are not reliable.
– They can be expensive.
Why Can’t I Delete Pictures and Videos from My iPhone?
Sometimes, you might encounter some errors preventing you from deleting pictures and videos from your iPhone. Here are some common reasons and fixes:
1. Files are synced with iTunes or your computer. If your photos and videos are synced with iTunes or your computer, you must disconnect your device from your computer or iTunes before deleting them.
2. The photo or video is locked. If the photo or video is locked, you must unlock it before deleting it.
3. The photo or video is part of a shared album. If the photo or video is part of a shared album, you must remove it from the album before deleting it.
Additional Tips
– Delete photos and videos regularly to keep your device running efficiently.
– Use the "Recently Deleted" folder to recover files you accidentally deleted.
– Consider upgrading your storage capacity or using a cloud-based service to store your files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I restore deleted pictures and videos?
A: Deleted pictures and videos are moved to the "Recently Deleted" folder where they are automatically deleted after 30 days. To recover them before they are permanently deleted, open the "Recently Deleted" folder, select the photos or videos you want to restore, and tap "Recover."
Q: How do I delete all pictures and videos at once?
A: You can use the "Select" function to select all the pictures and videos in a specific album or event and then delete them at once.
Q: How do I permanently delete pictures and videos?
A: Pictures and videos are permanently deleted automatically after 30 days in the "Recently Deleted" folder. If you want to delete them immediately, you can select them and choose "Delete" followed by "Delete All."
Q: What happens to the pictures and videos I delete from my iPhone?
A: When you delete pictures and videos from your iPhone, they are moved to the "Recently Deleted" folder. They remain there for 30 days before they are permanently deleted.
Q: How do I free up space on my iPhone?
A: To free up space on your iPhone, you can delete unwanted pictures and videos, delete unused apps, remove old messages, clear your cache, or back up your files to iCloud or your computer.
Conclusion
Deleting pictures and videos from your iPhone is an essential task if you want to keep your device functioning at its best. With the tips and methods provided in this article, you can safely and efficiently delete files without accidentally deleting essential files. Remember, always back up your essential files before deleting anything from your device, just in case.