How can I keep full resolution photos, but remove from iCloud?

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Level 1

8 points

How can I keep full resolution photos, but remove from iCloud?

How can I disable iCloud and remove photos from my cloud storage, yet still keep full resolution photos on my iPhone?

I cannot download the photos to my PC from iCloud (no WiFi at home), nor do I want them stored there any longer.

My current settings are “Download and Keep Originals”. When I disable “iCloud Photos” it states: “This iPhone was not able to download full-resolution photos and videos. If you continue the low-resolution versions of these photos and videos will be removed.” The next step is “Remove from iPhone” or “Cancel”.

If I choose “Remove from iPhone” will all of my photos be kept in iCloud and removed from my phone? I have over 10K photos and cannot risk this.

*I need my photos stored specifically on my phone so I can do a direct transfer to my Windows PC, however this has never been an option and even Apple support has been unable to help.*

If anyone knows the answer, PLEASE reply ASAP. I need to resolve this issue. Thank you!

iPhone 8 Plus

Posted on Aug 31, 2019 4:53 AM

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Answer 1

LACAllen

Level 8

43,584 points

Aug 31, 2019 12:28 PM in response to JANN_D

“This iPhone was not able to download full-resolution photos and videos. If you continue the low-resolution versions of these photos and videos will be removed.” The next step is “Remove from iPhone” or “Cancel”.

This is clearly the issue.

You do not have enough local storage space to store the photos at full resolution. After choosing optimization, you stored device-sized photos on your phone. You created more photos than your phone can store.

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Answer 2

LACAllen

Level 8

43,584 points

Aug 31, 2019 1:55 PM in response to JANN_D

Your only option really is to download your full sized photos from iCloud to an external storage spot.

See >>> https://support.apple.com/hr-hr/HT204055#photos or https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209454

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Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

685,215 points

Aug 31, 2019 11:27 AM in response to JANN_D

If you choose to remove them from the phone, they should be stored in iCloud.

How much free space do you have on your phone?

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Answer 4

JANN_D Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 31, 2019 1:42 PM in response to Eric Root

My phone’s internal storage has 33.5GB of 64GB used right now.

But you’re saying even if I choose to delete from my phone that the full resolution pictures will remain in iCloud?

I can’t retrieve them that way with or without WiFi. When I had a connection I was able to download some photos. No matter how many backups I did nothing would upload beyond a certain date. This is all very frustrating to me, and makes no sense. I definitely have enough space in iCloud also since I purchased a bigger plan. Right now I have 80.1GB of 200GB used.

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Answer 5

JANN_D Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 31, 2019 1:48 PM in response to LACAllen

Ok that makes sense and I figured that might be a possible issue. Currently I am using 33.5GB of 64GB in my phone’s internal storage.

Since I do not have a WiFi connection at home, and iCloud never updates my photos past a certain date (despite multiple backups), that wouldn’t be a feasible option for me either way.

I really don’t know what to do to get my photos back onto my phone in full resolution. I can uninstall as many apps as possible, but the issue is obviously my photos. All of which I need and can’t delete.

What do you recommend at this point? Thanks.

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How can I keep full resolution photos, but remove from iCloud?

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