HT205328: Get help with iCloud Photo Library for your Windows PC

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denisenro

Q: If I delete photos from my iPad are they still saved in iCloud?

i Need to free up storage on my iPad and want to delete some photos.  I have lots of available space on my icloud, but don't want the photos deleted from there.  Are they saved or just moved to the recently deleted folder?  What's the point of iCloud to save the photos if they will be deleted???

iPad 2, iOS 9.2

Posted on Jan 19, 2016 6:20 AM

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Q: If I delete photos from my iPad are they still saved in iCloud?

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  • by zinacef,Helpful

    zinacef zinacef Jan 19, 2016 8:12 AM in response to denisenro
    Level 4 (3,290 points)
    Applications
    Jan 19, 2016 8:12 AM in response to denisenro

    Unfortunately iCloud doesn't work the way you're thinking.  It's not a traditional cloud based backup platform, and what you're think of, and should consider if you're looking to free up space on your devices, is a third-part application such as Dropbox, Flickr, or Google Photos.

  • by Winston Churchill,Apple recommended

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jan 20, 2016 6:46 AM in response to denisenro
    Level 10 (103,375 points)
    Apple TV
    Jan 20, 2016 6:46 AM in response to denisenro

    With iCloud Photo Library enabled, you cannot delete a photo on one device (or at iCloud.com) without deleting it from every device that uses iCloud photo library (and iCloud.com). In order to save space on your mobile devices (and indeed your Mac if you wish to do so) turn on optimisation for photos on these devices (settings > photos & camera > optimise storage on your mobile device and Photo preferences > optimise storage on your Mac)


    Optimisation is dynamic, it reduces the resolution of your photos as and when needed, so you may not notice it occurring at first. However when it is needed, it is very effective and users have reported libraries being optimised to much less than 10% of their original size in some cases. My own library is about 9% of its original size on my phone.

  • by denisenro,

    denisenro denisenro Jan 20, 2016 6:48 AM in response to zinacef
    Level 1 (2 points)
    Jan 20, 2016 6:48 AM in response to zinacef

    Thamk you. Appreciate your help.  But I find it annoying that I am paying for iCloud, though they did lower the price, if it's not going to store my photos.  That just doesn't make sense.  I will back them up on the computer and then transfer them to a better saving option. 

  • by zinacef,

    zinacef zinacef Jan 20, 2016 7:19 AM in response to denisenro
    Level 4 (3,290 points)
    Applications
    Jan 20, 2016 7:19 AM in response to denisenro

    denisenro wrote:

     

    Thamk you. Appreciate your help.  But I find it annoying that I am paying for iCloud, though they did lower the price, if it's not going to store my photos.  That just doesn't make sense.  I will back them up on the computer and then transfer them to a better saving option.

    Oh, iCloud will store your photos/videos, and any changes made to them, will be reflected on all your devices.  However, what it's not going to do it free up space on your devices which, I'm assuming, is what you're referring to.

     

    Nobody is going to tell you that anything stored in the cloud, any cloud platform, is safe and it's probably a good idea to have it stored as well on something externally for extra peace of mind and safekeeping.  Backing them up to your computer sounds like you're on the right track.

     

    You could submit feedback to Apple about your concerns/opinions but I'm guessing they're probably not going to be overhauling iCloud anytime soon.

     

    If you're looking to save/create space on your device(s), then you'll need to consider a third-party option like I mentioned above.  Personally I use Google Photos to store my photos/videos, and by doing so, it has allowed me to remove everything from my devices allowing me to regain that lost space so the choice is yours.

     

    Whatever decision you make, good luck!

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jan 20, 2016 10:40 AM in response to denisenro
    Level 10 (103,375 points)
    Apple TV
    Jan 20, 2016 10:40 AM in response to denisenro

    iCloud will free up space on your devices if you use it in conjunction with optimisation.