You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

can I safely delete photos stored in iCloud in order to free up storage once the photos are saved in my MacBook Pro Photos?

Hi, I'm trying to free up storage space on iCloud by moving at least half or more photos in iCloud into my MacBook Pro photo app, which is empty.

Also would like to then transfer them from my MacBook Pro to an external drive.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated !

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Feb 12, 2022 12:20 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 12, 2022 8:19 PM

If you sync Photos to iCloud, then anything you do in either location will be reflected in both.


It sounds like your best course of action is to:


Open Photos

Enable iCloud photos to sync (Photos > preferences > iCloud)

Let the system sync.


Drag any photos you wish to remove to external storage out of photos.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 12, 2022 8:19 PM in response to nco107

If you sync Photos to iCloud, then anything you do in either location will be reflected in both.


It sounds like your best course of action is to:


Open Photos

Enable iCloud photos to sync (Photos > preferences > iCloud)

Let the system sync.


Drag any photos you wish to remove to external storage out of photos.

can I safely delete photos stored in iCloud in order to free up storage once the photos are saved in my MacBook Pro Photos?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.