if i delete photos from my device to optimize storage, i cloud will keep them or delete the photos....??

With iCloud photo enabled, you cannot delete a photo on one device without deleting it from every device that uses iCloud photo library. In order to save space on your mobile devices (and indeed your Mac if you wish to do so) turn on optimisation for photos on these devices (settings > photos & camera > optimise storage on your mobile device and Photo preferences > optimise storage on your Mac)

Optimisation is dynamic, it reduces the resolution of your photos as and when needed, so you may not notice it occurring at first. However when it is needed, it is very effective and users have reported libraries being optimised to much less than 10% of their original size in some cases. My own library is about 9% of its original size on my phone.

I'm finding it helpful to think of iCloud as another "device." When you get a message saying that the photo you are deleting will be deleted from ALL Devices, I previously assumed that meant my devices-- my MacBook, my iPhone, my iPad, etc. However, it seems as though it really means all of my personal devices as well as "my" iCloud. This was a new concept to me and maybe to many others who, like me, were accustomed to external storage (hard drives, Dropbox, other servers, etc.) that were not automatically affected by changes on my personal computing devices. Does it make sense to others to think of iCloud as another device in this particular context? (I do know that iCloud servers are not literally devices in the way an iPhone is, just to be clear!)

Your devices (iphones and ipads) are not storing info in icloud, but rather talking to each other using icloud as medium.

So when you decide that you do not need a contact, a calendar event, a picture and you delete it from one device it is also deleted from icloud and icloud (server which in that context also a device) lets other devices know that you do not want it anymore and deletes it from those other devices.

Your hard drive is not synchronizing for you, but rather saving. Your icloud photo library is not saving device, but synchronization feature.

I wish I could do better, but I don't think I can.

Also very helpful--initially I was admittedly confused by this particular phrase that pops up when you delete a photo: "This photo will be deleted from all your devices." As a copy editor and writer, I read that as "my" devices--my iPhone and MacBook, etc., and NOT some external library in the cloud (which I now know doesn't exist, thanks to you all). I will suggest to Apple that the phrase be rewritten as "This photo will be deleted from your Photos library forever and can not be accessed again from any device." Or something to really emphasize the finality of it all. What do you all think? 🙂

Katrina B wrote:

.... NOT some external library in the cloud (which I now know doesn't exist, thanks to you all). ...🙂

I don't know what you mean by that, it does exist, you can see then through your web browser at iCloud.com > Photos.

Thank you for your patience! I've been instructed elsewhere on this forum that Photos doesn't have a permanent library in the cloud and that the Photos library is simply a synchronization mechanism among your devices. It is different than iCloud Drive; I found the CNET article here to be helpful: http://www.cnet.com/how-to/whats-the-difference-between-icloud-backup-and-icloud -drive/

I know there are OTHER permanent libraries in the cloud, but since deleting a photo in Photos on any of your devices makes it go away forever, precluding access through a web browser, I think that should be made clear every time you delete a photo. I have all my photos backed up on an external hard drive and, as do we all, certainly recommend doing that before uploading or manipulating any photos through Photos.

That's a great reminder! I'll amend my suggestion to read: "In 30 days, this photo will be deleted from your Photos library forever and can not be accessed again from any device."

I've enjoyed our conversation--have a great weekend!

Katrina,

You have been instructed that photos synchronize for 30 days about completely different service "photostream". It use to be the case until Icloud photo library (November of 2014). Now with library, your photos actually do exist on specific server that Apple created for that. Previously during Photostream you were not charged by Apple for additional storage since they only kept it for month. Now with "Icloud photo library", if you exceed free allowance you will be paying and your photos will be stored. So when you delete one on the phone it gives command to server - I do not want to keep that photo - photo is removed from the server and from all devices connected to that server (with photo library enabled).

This is a real pain in the neck if you are on holiday and manage to use all your available storage taking photos. Suddenly, your iPhone is unavailable as a camera for 30 days, by which time you may well be home again, with no photos. Is there a way to delete photos to clear space on your iPhone - and nothing else - immediately, so that you can continue to use it without compromising your photo library?

Yes. Deleting photos will create space. At the possible expense of losing your photos.

If you are syncing your photos to iCloud, then no. Deleting them to create space will delete them from your iCloud photo library.

Delete them.

That is very helpful! Thanks!

I'm finding it helpful to think of iCloud as another "device."

I'd be inclined to just think about your Photo library, you have that library on your devices and in the cloud.

Do you know that deleted photos go into a deleted photo album where they sit for 30 days before they are permanently deleted, if you want to recover them in those 30 days you can do.