How to fix iCloud memory issues after deleting files on MacBook Pro?

I've deleted a huge number of large photos and videos from my phone and trash (more than 5000 items), BUT iCloud still shows that the same amount of memory is used, despite the fact that it says that iCloud was synchronised recently.

Also when I've checked iCloud on my Macbook - it also says that iCloud was synchronised - BUT the memory wasn't cleaned, and also I found out that the deleted files remained((((((

I don't know what to do, I urgently need to clean some memory in iCloud until tomorrow.

I tried to contact Apple support, but failed to do that - so I hope to find help here from kind people!)

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.4

Posted on May 19, 2025 3:39 AM

Top-ranking reply

g_wolfman

Level 4

3,502 points

Posted on May 19, 2025 1:39 PM

If you delete items in Photos, they are moved to a "recently deleted" folder on a 30 day countdown to permanent deletion. Because sometimes people delete the wrong things, or change their mind.

If you delete items in folders on a phone or computer and empty the trash they are deleted, but if you did it in Photos you will need to delete them permanently from the recently deleted folder.

It can also take time - proportional to the number and size of the changes - for synchronization to propagate across all your devices.

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How to fix iCloud memory issues after deleting files on MacBook Pro?

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