Optimize photos

Clintonriver,

The optimization process would happen in the background, as space is needed. Generally your older photos that are not accessed as often or at all, are the first to be optimized.

As to undoing the process, you can toggle from 'Optimize iPhone Storage' to 'Download and Keep Originals' under Settings > Photos at any time. This causes iOS to start to redownload the higher quality versions of all of your photos from iCloud and store that higher quality version directly on your iPhone internal storage.

If you'd like to see more transparency on this process, we can recommend submitting feedback to Apple here:

• Feedback - Photos

Cheers!

Hi Clintonriver,

The photos won't upload to iCloud as soon as you take a picture. The amount of time it takes to upload after taking the photo isn't documented by Apple, apart from the details that the photos will optimize when the device is out of storage. See that information here: Set up and use iCloud Photos

Your library is optimized only when you need space, starting with the photos and videos you access least.

If you're using cellular data when taking the photo, then you'll want to ensure Photos is turned for use with cellular data under Settings > Cellular, as the photos wouldn't upload to iCloud until connected to Wi-Fi otherwise.

Additionally, the photo will need to download to your iPhone when it's being attached via email, so storage space will be needed.

Let us know if you have any additional questions.

Kind regards.