Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Deleted photos on iPhone remain on other devices

When I delete photo's on my iPhone, I would like them to be deleted from all my apple devices, however even with iCloud photos turned on, they remain on my MacBook Pro and iPad (even after syncing).


New photos always upload to all my devices, but when I delete them, they remain on every device except my phone. I've tried emptying my recently deleted, updating devices, and syncing via cable... but have still been unsuccessful. Eventually I gave up and began manually deleting unwanted photos.


Has anyone got a fix to this? Maybe there is something in settings I am missing?

iPhone 11

Posted on Aug 6, 2021 10:50 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best answer

The problem seems to be that you are mixing several methods for transferring photos between devices. If you want to keep the libraries in sync, use only one method of syncing and stick with it. The best method to delete photos from all devices is iCloud Photos (not My Photo Stream and not syncing via cable).

  • With iCloud Photos enabled on all devices, the Photos Libraries on all devices will always be kept identical. Any photo you delete will be deleted from all devices, any new photo you take or import will appear on all devices.
  • Photos you sync manually are treated differently. They cannot be deleted manually, only by syncing again and omitting them from the next syncing.
  • Photos in My Photo Stream will appear again after deleting them from a device, like a bad penny, as long as they are still in My Photo Stream.
  • Some apps are known to be buggy and preventing us from deleting the photos they have synced to Photos. If you are using third-party apps to save Photos to Photos, by sure to have the most recent version installed. If you cannot delete photos saved from a third-party app, reinstalling the app can help.


Posted on Aug 7, 2021 12:15 AM

1 reply
Question marked as Best answer

Aug 7, 2021 12:15 AM in response to tkd_4

The problem seems to be that you are mixing several methods for transferring photos between devices. If you want to keep the libraries in sync, use only one method of syncing and stick with it. The best method to delete photos from all devices is iCloud Photos (not My Photo Stream and not syncing via cable).

  • With iCloud Photos enabled on all devices, the Photos Libraries on all devices will always be kept identical. Any photo you delete will be deleted from all devices, any new photo you take or import will appear on all devices.
  • Photos you sync manually are treated differently. They cannot be deleted manually, only by syncing again and omitting them from the next syncing.
  • Photos in My Photo Stream will appear again after deleting them from a device, like a bad penny, as long as they are still in My Photo Stream.
  • Some apps are known to be buggy and preventing us from deleting the photos they have synced to Photos. If you are using third-party apps to save Photos to Photos, by sure to have the most recent version installed. If you cannot delete photos saved from a third-party app, reinstalling the app can help.


Deleted photos on iPhone remain on other devices

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.