Clearing Up Space: How to Delete Photos on Your iPhone

Are you constantly running out of storage space on your iPhone due to a cluttered photo library? Fear not! In this step-by-step guide, we will show you how to easily delete photos from your iPhone, freeing up valuable space for new memories.

Please note that the steps provided in this guide may vary slightly depending on your iPhone model and the version of iOS you are running. However, the overall process remains consistent across most devices.

Reminder, be sure to regularly backup your iPhone photos in case you accidentally delete important files and photos.

Step 1: Open the Photos App

Locate and tap on the “Photos” app icon on your iPhone’s home screen. This will open the app and display your entire photo library.

Step 2: Select Photos to Delete

Browse through your photo library and tap on the album that contains the photos you want to delete. If you want to delete photos from the entire library, skip this step.

Step 3: Tap “Select”

In the top-right corner of the screen, tap on the “Select” button. This will allow you to choose multiple photos for deletion.

Step 4: Choose Photos to Delete

Tap on each photo you wish to delete. Selected photos will be marked with a blue checkmark. You can also swipe your finger across a row of photos to select multiple images at once.

Step 5: Delete the Photos

Once you have selected all the photos you want to delete, tap on the trash can icon located at the bottom-right corner of the screen. A confirmation pop-up will appear. Tap “Delete [X] Photos” to permanently remove the selected photos from your iPhone.

Step 6: Empty Recently Deleted Album

Deleted photos are moved to the “Recently Deleted” album, where they remain for 30 days before being permanently deleted. To free up space immediately, open the “Recently Deleted” album and tap on “Select” in the top-right corner. Then, tap on “Delete All” to remove all photos in this album permanently.

How to Enable iCloud Backup and iCloud Photo Library

iCloud Backup:

iCloud automatically backs up your iPhone’s data, including photos, to the cloud. This ensures that even if you delete a photo from your device, it remains accessible through iCloud. To enable iCloud Backup, go to “Settings” > [Your Name] > “iCloud” > “iCloud Backup” and toggle the switch to “On”. Your iPhone will then back up your photos and other data whenever it is connected to Wi-Fi and charging.

For in-depth information and screenshots, checkout our comprehensive guide on how to backup your iPhone.

iCloud Photo Library:

With iCloud Photo Library enabled, your photos are automatically synced across all your devices. When you delete a photo from one device, it is removed from all devices connected to the same iCloud account. To enable iCloud Photo Library, go to “Settings” > [Your Name] > “iCloud” > “Photos” and toggle the switch to “On”. This ensures that your photos are always up to date and accessible on all your devices.

Frequently Asked Questions About Deleting Photos

Q: Can I recover deleted photos from my iPhone?

A: Yes, if you accidentally delete a photo, you can recover it within 30 days from the “Recently Deleted” album. Simply open the album, select the photo(s) you want to recover, and tap on “Recover” to restore them to your photo library.

Q: Will deleting photos from my iPhone also delete them from iCloud?

A: By default, deleting photos from your iPhone will not delete them from iCloud. However, if you have enabled iCloud Photos (previously known as iCloud Photo Library), deleting a photo from your iPhone will also remove it from iCloud and all other devices connected to your iCloud account. This ensures that your photos are synced across all your devices.

Q: How can I delete multiple photos at once?

A: In the Photos app, tap on “Select” in the top-right corner and then tap on each photo you want to delete. You can also swipe your finger across a row of photos to select multiple images at once. Once you have selected all the photos you want to delete, tap on the trash can icon to delete them.

Q: What happens if I delete a photo from the “Recently Deleted” album?

A: When you delete a photo from the “Recently Deleted” album, it will be permanently removed from your iPhone and cannot be recovered. It is advisable to double-check the photos in this album before deleting them, as there is no way to retrieve them once they are permanently deleted.

Q: How do I free up space on my iPhone without deleting photos?

A: Aside from deleting photos, there are other ways to free up space on your iPhone. You can offload unused apps, delete old messages, clear your browser cache, or transfer photos and videos to a computer or an external storage device. Additionally, you can consider upgrading your iCloud storage plan to store your photos and videos in the cloud, freeing up space on your device.

Q: Can I delete photos directly from my iPhone’s storage without accessing the Photos app?

A: No, photos stored on your iPhone can only be deleted through the Photos app. You cannot delete them directly from the device’s storage.

Q: Will deleting photos from my iPhone affect their quality or resolution?

A: No, deleting photos from your iPhone will not affect their quality or resolution. The photos are simply removed from your device’s storage, but they remain intact in iCloud if you have enabled iCloud Photos.