Turning Off iCloud Photos

Juliette1325 wrote:

My iCloud storage recently ran out so I wanted to stop syncing my photos and delete then from the cloud, but how do I make sure they don’t delete off my phone? I always had the “keep originals” tab switched on, so does that mean I’m safe to delete them off the cloud without having to download them to my phone too?

Nope, read how it works and what you need to do Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support

To stop syncing your photos with iCloud and delete them from the cloud without losing them on your iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Verify Local Storage: Since you have the "Keep Originals" option enabled, your photos should be stored locally on your iPhone. You can double-check this by opening the Photos app and ensuring your photos are visible and accessible even when your iPhone is not connected to the internet.
2. Turn Off iCloud Photos:

• • Go to Settings on your iPhone.
  • Tap on your Apple ID at the top, then select iCloud.
  • Choose Photos.
  • Toggle off iCloud Photos. This will stop your iPhone from syncing new photos to iCloud.

1. Delete Photos from iCloud:

• • Go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Manage Storage > Photos.
  • Select Disable & Delete. This will remove photos from iCloud without affecting the originals stored on your iPhone.

1. Backup: It's always a good idea to have a backup. You can use iTunes or Finder on a Mac to back up your iPhone or consider using an external storage solution.

By following these steps, you can free up your iCloud storage while ensuring your photos remain safely on your iPhone.