Delete photos from iCloud but not iPhone

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Delete photos from iCloud but not iPhone

I have a 1TB iPhone with like 20% of my phone storage being used. I have no need to deleted photos from my device.

However, I need to clear my iCloud storage to make room for more storage.

I logged into iCloud and deleted 1,000 photos, which then also deleted the same photos from my iPhone -- Most useless feature I can think of.

Is there a way to delete photos (ie. Empty my iCloud photos) from iCloud website via my laptop but not the iPhone. Photos can stay put in the iPhone.

Dropbox has it right, its a one way stream--> photos get uploaded to the cloud service. If you clear the dropbox photos, it does not affect your phone's photos, they are still there.

Let me know!

iPhone XS, iOS 15

Posted on Aug 14, 2022 12:30 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Dannieloco Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 15, 2022 11:22 AM in response to justin_900

i can see that feature being useful to some users. I need iCloud to back up my photos and when full, I will back up iCloud photos to my hard drive and then delete everything from iCloud. Seems that feature doesn’t exist?

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Answer 2

justin_900

Community Specialist

Aug 15, 2022 11:20 AM in response to Dannieloco

Hello Dannieloco,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities!

We want to help you manage your iCloud storage and your photos.

If the photo is also being deleted from your device, it sounds like you have iCloud Photos enabled. iCloud Photos is a sync service that keeps your devices updated with what is stored on iCloud.

"How iCloud Photos works

iCloud Photos automatically keeps every photo and video you take in iCloud, so you can access your library from any device, anytime you want. Any changes you make to your collection on one device change on your other devices too. Your photos and videos are organized into Years, Months, Days, and All Photos.And all of your Memories and People are updated everywhere. That way you can quickly find the moment, family member, or friend you're looking for."

You can check in your iPhone settings:

"On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Go to Settings > [your name].
Tap iCloud.
Tap Photos"

This Apple Support page has the full details: Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support

We hope this helps to better understand how your photos are being managed.

Cheers!

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Answer 3

claire504

Community Specialist

Aug 15, 2022 11:43 AM in response to Dannieloco

Hey there, Dannieloco.

No, iCloud is a syncing service to keep your photos up-to-date across devices. If a photo or video is deleted from one device, it is then removed from all devices that has iCloud Photos enabled.

If you'd like, you can submit any feedback or suggestions you have about iCloud Photos here: Feedback - iCloud - Apple

Take care.

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Delete photos from iCloud but not iPhone

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