kcarrato

Q: iPad and iPhone photo storage

I recently purchased a new iPad Pro and an iPhone 6s and set up both exactly the same in terms of photos - they access the same Photo Library and both are set to Optimize Device Storage and both are set to NOT Download and Keep Originals.  Two questions - are they taking up more memory than they should be? - 62GB on my iPhone and 30GB on my iPad (we have 63,000+ photos in our library so I know they are going to take up a bunch but that still seems like a lot). And second, question, how can the amount of storage they are taking up be different on each device using the same settings and accessing the same photo library?

 

Thanks

Keith

iPad Pro, iOS 9.3.3

Posted on Jul 24, 2016 9:31 AM

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Q: iPad and iPhone photo storage

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  • by gail from maine,Apple recommended

    gail from maine gail from maine Jul 24, 2016 12:17 PM in response to kcarrato
    Level 7 (25,645 points)
    iCloud
    Jul 24, 2016 12:17 PM in response to kcarrato

    The Optimized Photos stored on your iOS devices from iCloud Photo Library will be dynamically changed based on the amount of storage you have at any point in time. So, yes they could be a different amount, and they would take up as much storage as they can dynamically. Here is a couple of support articles that may clear up your questions:

     

    iCloud Photo Library - Apple Support

     

    iCloud Photo Library Help - Apple Support

     

    Cheers,

     

    GB

  • by léonie,Helpful

    léonie léonie Jul 24, 2016 12:23 PM in response to kcarrato
    Level 10 (105,523 points)
    iLife
    Jul 24, 2016 12:23 PM in response to kcarrato

    Gail from Maine linked to the only two Apple Support documents that explain how "Optimize Storage" is working.

    However, these documents are somewhat vague about the goals for optimization.

    The problem is, that we cannot influence, when the optimization will kick in. 

     

    From:  iCloud Photo Library - Apple Support

    This is very promising:

    If you turn on Optimize Storage, iCloud Photo Library automatically manages the size of your library on your device. Your original photos and videos are stored in iCloud and space-saving versions are kept on your device. Your library is optimized only when you need space, starting with the photos and videos you access least. You can download the original photos and videos over Wi-Fi or cellular when you need them. You can use Optimize Storage on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac.

    Photos's notion about "when you need space" and our goals can be in conflict.  We cannot tell Photos how much new storage we want to free right away.  There is no button "Optimize all photos asap", the photos will be optimized in small installments.  I found no way to tell Photos "I will need at least additional 30GB freed", so I can create a few complex GarageBand project. Photos will try to keep as many full versions as possible, essentially always filling the iPhone or iPad with photos. At least that is what I observed on my iPad with 64GB storage and 40000 photos and videos in iCloud Photo Library. The problem is more prominent, if the library is multiple times larger then fits comfortable on the iPad.

     

     

    The only way I found to free a larger amount of storage quickly by Optimize storage

    • is to wait until the upload to iCloud is complete, and then to sign out of iCloud Photo Library.  Delete all your photos from the iPad (make sure, iCloud Photo Library is really turned off before you do that). Empty the Recently Deleted album.
    • Now enable iCloud Photo Library again, with optimize storage. 
    • Now wait for the photos to download from iCloud. They will download optimized from the beginning. And you should now have more free storage than before.

     

    I wonder, if Gaile can confirm this.