Getting rid of iCloud Photos

Just like apps downloaded by a user, photos are not automatically removed just by signing out of your iCloud. When you logged into your iCloud account, you should have been asked if you want to merge the photos on the device to your iCloud Photos, if your Mom previously had any photos. If you choose Yes, then any photos currently on the device are uploaded to your iCloud account. Choosing No, does not add those photos to your iCloud account, but on the device you will still see your Mom's photos plus any photos downloaded from your iCloud Photo Library.

The proper way to switch data from one user to another is to Reset the device and enter your iCloud account when it is set up. You would want to make sure your Mom has an iCloud backup to return the device to her just like it was before.

With no one logged into the device, you can delete photos and they will not be removed from a synced iCloud account when using iCloud Photos. If you Mom did have a previous iCloud backup, you can Reset the device and restore from her backup to return the device to her with all previous data before you logged in.

That's a very common and frustrating situation. The reason your photos are still on the iPad is that even though you logged out of your iCloud account, the photos that were synced to the device remained as local copies. iCloud Photos is a synchronization service, not just a storage service, so when you logged in, it downloaded and synced your entire library to the iPad.

To safely remove them without affecting your own iCloud account, you need to follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Confirm You Are Logged Out

First, double-check that your mother's iPad is completely logged out of your iCloud account.

• Go to Settings.
• At the top of the menu, it should say "Sign in to your iPad." If it shows an Apple ID, you need to tap on it and sign out. This is a crucial first step.

Step 2: Delete the Photos from the iPad

Since the photos are now local copies and the device is not connected to your iCloud account, you can safely delete them directly from the Photos app on the iPad.

• Open the Photos app.
• Tap Select in the top-right corner.
• Tap Select All to choose all 54,000 photos.
• Tap the trash can icon to delete them. You may be asked to confirm.

This process will likely take a while due to the sheer number of photos. Once deleted, they will move to the "Recently Deleted" album. You should then go into that album and select "Delete All" to completely remove them from the device.

Important Note:

As long as you are logged out of your iCloud account on that iPad, deleting the photos from the device will not delete them from your personal iCloud account or any other device linked to your account.

[Edited by Moderator]

Don't forget that removing the photos on the device in that way would also delete any photos that the OP's Mom had previously and without an iCloud backup, they would be lost forever if she was not using iCloud Photos.

P.S. - Self promotion links are not allowed on this Support Site.