Let’s say I currently have 100 photos in my gallery. I then sync them to my iCloud. After that, I unsync the iCloud photos and delete 10 photos. In my iCloud, there will still be 100 photos, right? Now, what if I sync it back? Will it be reduced to 90 photos in my iCloud, or will it remain 100?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: icloud photo and gallery problem
iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 18
iCloud Photos does whatever it can to keep all the connected Libraries the same. So, upon seeing that it has pictures that your phone doesn't, iCloud will send pictures to the phone until they have the same Libraries. iCloud never removes pictures that it wasn't explicitly told to remove.
That’s not how it works. The iCloud and local photo libraries are synced. If you delete it anywhere, it’s gone for good.
If you’re concerned about storage, enable “Optimize device storage” in Photos settings. It’ll free up storage depending on how much you need.
NixenJ wrote: So, based on the example case in my question, instead of the iCloud photos being reduced to 90, my gallery photos are restored to 100 after I sync them back? I apologize; I’m very new to the iOS system and have no idea how everything works.
That's exactly right. iCloud never removes pictures that it wasn't explicitly told to remove.
QuiGonJinn wrote: If you delete it anywhere, it’s gone for good.
No-- if you delete a picture from somewhere not connected to iCloud, then nothing is deleted from iCloud. It's really best if you not spread misinformation.
If your goal is to conserve storage, just enable “Optimize device storage” in Photos settings. It’ll free up as much local space as you need, but keep the whole library visible through iCloud.
Honestly, no need to jump through hoops for this.
So, based on the example case in my question, instead of the iCloud photos being reduced to 90, my gallery photos are restored to 100 after I sync them back? I apologize; I’m very new to the iOS system and have no idea how everything works.
QuiGonJinn wrote: Their device is connected to iCloud, … Care to explain how this is misinformation?
Sure -- the original question stated, "After that, I unsync the iCloud Photos." Also, there was no question of saving storage space, just what happens with a delete and disconnection.
Really, it's better to answer the original question rather than to just make up one of your own to answer.
Their device is connected to iCloud, so if they delete it from anywhere, the photos will be gone for good.
Care to explain how this is misinformation?
How does iCloud handle unsynced photo deletions?
