Kmctrinity

Q: I am very confused about icloud Photo Library.

I pay 99 cents every month to get more storage in icloud. I did this so that I wouldn't have to constantly move photos off my phone to my PC to free up storage, but I don't understand what is going on. I thought I could delete them from my phone and they'd still be on icloud.

 

When I delete a picture from my phone or ipad, it says "This photo will be deleted from iCloud Photo Library on all your devices."

 

Isn't it possible to delete the photo or video from a device, but leave it in icloud for viewing later?

 

Thanks!

iPad 2, iOS 8.1.2, null

Posted on Sep 23, 2016 9:55 AM

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Q: I am very confused about icloud Photo Library.

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  • by zinacef,

    zinacef zinacef Sep 23, 2016 10:28 AM in response to Kmctrinity
    Level 5 (4,851 points)
    Applications
    Sep 23, 2016 10:28 AM in response to Kmctrinity

    Unfortunately iCloud doesn't work like that as it's a syncing/mirroring system, i.e. it uploads all of your photos/videos to all of your other devices so that they are accessible to you. 

     

    iCloud isn't your traditional cloud based (hard drive in the sky) system.  If you're looking for such, then you will have to consider using a third party option like Flickr, Dropbox, or Google Photos.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Sep 23, 2016 11:47 AM in response to Kmctrinity
    Level 9 (72,605 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 23, 2016 11:47 AM in response to Kmctrinity

    iCloud is a syncing system, not an external 'hard drive'. If you delete them on your device, they will delete from iCloud. To increase space available, go Settings/iCloud/Photos and select Optimize iPhone/iPad Storage. That will reduce the space required by about 90% when fully effective.