Can I delete photos already in icloud Drive but still keep them in Macbook Air Photos app and library?

Question

Level 1

11 points

Can I delete photos already in icloud Drive but still keep them in Macbook Air Photos app and library?

Macbook Air M2 Sonoma 14.2.1

My icloud drive is full so I'm thinking of unsyncing my photos to it, as I have them in the Photos app anyway (and also in an external drive). I don't have another device to sync to, so is it safe to delete my pics from icloud drive, ie will they still be in my MBA Photos app and library? Many thanks.

Additional info: Someone gave me the following instructions on this site:

Turn off iCloud Photos.

open photos

go to photos > settings > iCloud and disable iCloud

But I was confused (I'm an old lady so it happens), and replied:

Thank you so much for your reply. I want to make sure I understand your instructions properly, so would you mind confirming the following:

Turn off iCloud Photos. : In System Settings, icloud? or else?
open photos: you mean the Photos app in the dock?
go to photos > settings > iCloud and disable iCloud: OK

And this would mean that all my pics in the Photos app (in the dock) and in the Mac photo library would remain, right?

Thanks again.

But there was no reply, so I'm still stuck and will be grateful for any clarification. All the best.

MacBook Air

Posted on Feb 29, 2024 7:01 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 29, 2024 7:25 AM in response to Marilou0121

When you delete a photo from iCloud Drive (as in anything synced to iCloud through the photos app) it deletes it off all devices. If your Mac has enough room on it, then when turning off iCloud photos on your Mac you will be given the option to keep originals and download them to your Mac. This will allow you to delete them off your phone or any device synced to iCloud, but it won’t change anything to the photos that are downloaded on your Mac. You ca. check and see how much storage your photos use in iCloud settings. If your Mac has more storage then what’s being taken up by photos then you should be fine. Once all your photos are downloaded you can delete whatever you want off your phone that is already downloaded on your Mac and you won’t loose anything. This is because those deleted photos will only be deleted from iCloud and not your Mac. Hope this helps

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Answer 2

Mar 1, 2024 3:46 AM in response to Marilou0121

Yes, if you go into photo settings you should be able to turn off iCloud Photos and there will be an option to download and keep originals

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Answer 3

muguy

Level 10

91,736 points

Mar 2, 2024 6:39 AM in response to Marilou0121

As already stated, turn off iCloud sync in settings in the photos app. You can then delete anything you wish in photos at iCloud.com/photos and they will remain on the Mac. Your device will no longer sync to iCloud.

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Answer 4

Marilou0121 Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 1, 2024 2:17 AM in response to JacobtheBeast

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm afraid I'm not knowledgeable enough to understand it though. Is there any chance you could answer my 3 points and additional query? (the simpler and briefer the better). Basically I want to know if it's possible to take out the photos in icloud (as I don't need them there), but keep them in Mac Photos and library.

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Answer 5

Marilou0121 Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 1, 2024 5:17 AM in response to JacobtheBeast

Thank you but that doesn't address my question: how to I delete my pics which are in icloud at the moment and taking space, without deleting them from Photos and photo library? Ie. I want them in Mac Photos (app in the dock) but not in icloud. Thanks.

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Answer 6

Marilou0121 Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 3, 2024 1:26 AM in response to muguy

Thank you, this is exactly what I needed to hear, clear and simple. Have followed your advice and gained lots of space in icloud.

When you say 'Your device will no longer sync to iCloud.', it will just stop syncing the photos but will still sync my Documents and Personal folders, right?

Thanks again and best wishes.

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