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is there a way to delete photos on my ipad device only......🤷‍♂️

im sure this has been asked a thousand times, however here goes. my ipad storage is at capacity. i would like to delete my photos on the device ONLY. everything to date is backed up in the cloud. how do i do this?


thanks.

iPad, iPadOS 13

Posted on Jun 7, 2020 12:06 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 8, 2020 9:44 PM

You would have to detach that device from iCloud Photos (and not attach it ever again). iCloud Photos is a full-sync service, not a backup or offline-only storage.


If your iPad storage is your main concern, have you considered using the "Optimize iPad Storage" option on your iPad?

6 replies

Jun 9, 2020 9:33 AM in response to wardaddee

I see your problem. "5 bazillion photos" is not a good match with a 32gb iPad. Optimization can only do so much. How much iCloud storage does your iCloud Photos library occupy?


WARNING: If you do not have any other devices (iPhone, Mac, Windows PC) connected to your iCloud Photos library, detaching the iPad (the last/only device) will initiate the process of removing the contents of the library from iCloud. THIS WILL DESTROY WHAT MAY BE YOUR ONLY COPY!


How to turn off iCloud Photos on your iPad (detach the iPad from iCloud Photos):

On your iPad, launch the Settings app.

Tap the top entry (with your name, avatar, and words like "Apple ID" and "iCloud" underneath) to reach the Apple ID panel.

Tap the iCloud line (below name, password, security, and subscriptions).

Tap the Photos line.

Turn off "iCloud Photos" (slide the bubble in the green bar to the left).

After a while, you will probably get a message about downloading copies of optimized photos or removing the from your iPad. The exact message will depend on how full your iPad is and how many photos have been optimized. You will probably have to select the option to remove optimized photos (since your iPad is already overfull), and this will quite possibly remove ALL or nearly all photos from your iPad.


As long as your iCloud Photos library exceeds the capacity of your iPad (even optimized), you won't be able to activate iCloud Photos there again.


Other devices connected to your iCloud Photos library would not be affected. (See warning above.)


If you still want some few photos on your iPad from your other devices, you would have to look into other mechanisms that can be more selective. Examples might include cable sync (via iTunes or Finder, depending on your Mac), My Photo Stream, AirDrop, or third-party mechanisms. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.

is there a way to delete photos on my ipad device only......🤷‍♂️

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