Media browser does not show most photos under iCloud Photo Library

Question

Level 1

4 points

Media browser does not show most photos under iCloud Photo Library

I use iCloud Photo Library. I've got 50GB of iCloud space, and I'm using only 17. My device has 2.2GB of local space free. And yet, when I save photos, their local copies are deleted almost immediately. This means that the media browser (UIImagePickerController) does not show these photos. On my iPad, the only photos shown are two screenshots I took on my phone last August.

Also, on my iPad, Photos shows as taking up 1.0 GB, while the same library takes up 7.0GB on my phone. Both devices are 32GB devices with 2+ GB of free space, but this issue is only present on my iPad.

iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi, iOS 8.3

Posted on Feb 6, 2016 1:35 PM

Reply

Answer 1

LACAllen

Level 8

43,416 points

Feb 6, 2016 7:53 PM in response to Webmaster4o

Forgive me, but what is UIImagePickerController?

Reply

Answer 2

Webmaster4o Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 7, 2016 7:50 AM in response to LACAllen

Sorry, it's the dialog that looks like this:

(Those aren't my photos, they're just some I found online. Those happen to be all videos, but normally photos are shown)

Note that this is not the photos app, but the little dialog that other apps can use to have the user select photos.

Reply

Answer 3

LACAllen

Level 8

43,416 points

Feb 7, 2016 3:23 PM in response to Webmaster4o

ok... I am still not 100% clear on your question or issue.

Do you have the iPad's photo library settings set to optimize as seen below? Maybe the iPad is set to optimize but your iPhone isn't. That would explain the size difference.

I am not sure what you mean about the photos disappearing.

Reply

Answer 4

Webmaster4o Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 7, 2016 4:40 PM in response to LACAllen

When photos' local copies are deleted to save space (the local copies, they are still stored in the cloud,) they do not show in the media browser. Photos aren't being deleted, they aren't being shown

Reply

Answer 5

LACAllen

Level 8

43,416 points

Feb 7, 2016 5:19 PM in response to Webmaster4o

Sorry... you used the word deleted.

I am still not clear on what your issue is. What are you trying to do from the media browser? Attach an image to an email?

Did you have the iPad set to optimize? Is that issue resolved?

Reply

Answer 6

Webmaster4o Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 7, 2016 5:27 PM in response to LACAllen

I need to have "optimize storage" enabled. I don't have enough free space for my entire library. The issue is that "optimize storage" uploads and deletes photos immediately, instead of keeping the local copies of at least my most recent photos, as it should. "Optimize storage" is not designed to delete local copies of all my photos, it's designed to delete local copies of older photos, and still let me access the more recent ones. It's really a bug that it doesn't, I was wondering if anyone had a solution. I've already reported the bug to apple.

The reason I need to use media browser is for literally almost every situation in which someone might need to use a photo. iMessage is the main stock app affected, but countless third-party apps are also affected.

I do, in fact, have "optimize storage" enabled on both devices, but I'm not concerned about the size difference, that's merely a matter of available device space.

Reply

Answer 7

LACAllen

Level 8

43,416 points

Feb 7, 2016 6:19 PM in response to Webmaster4o

Ok... you are certainly allowed to have optimize on.

When the local copies are resized, they should still be accessible for you on your device. You only have to "go to the cloud" if you need the original file.

Are you saying photos are not available in moments, or in albums? That is not expected.

I would suggest updating to the latest iOS version as a start. There are many iCloud improvements in iOS 9 and greater. Also a reset all settings may resolve this as well.

Reply

Answer 8

Webmaster4o Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 7, 2016 5:59 PM in response to LACAllen

Photos are available in the photos app, but are not available in the media browser. I can still view the photos, I just can't do much with them as far as sharing and sending. I am on the latest iOS version. I can certainly try resetting my settings.

Reply