AndersD_Vasa
Level 1 (4 points)
iCloud

Q: Can I delete pictures from my iCloud and still have the originals in Pictures on my iMac?

I have a lot of pictures that I would like to save but they don´t have to be accessed from anywhere. If i download the originals to my iMac, are they kept there if I delete the pictures from iCloud and can I access them through Pictures?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Apr 10, 2016 2:13 PM

by FoxFifth,Apple recommended
FoxFifth FoxFifth
Level 7 (26,590 points)
iPhone
A:

If you have Yosemite 10.10.3 or later and the photos are in the Photos app (successor to iPhoto) on your Mac and iCloud Photo Library is turned on in the Photos Preferences on your Mac, then if you delete them from iCloud Photos at icloud.com or from any device where iCloud Photo Library is turned on, then they will also be deleted from the Photos app on your Mac.

 

To be safe you may want to reply with more details of 1) how the photos were originally uploaded to iCloud (by turning on iCloud Photo Library in Settings > iCloud > Photos?) or give details of what you did to place them on iCloud 2) how you intend to download them to your Mac and where (e.g. to Photos, iPhoto, or neither) and 3) what version of OS is on your Mac (Apple menu > About this Mac).

Posted on Apr 27, 2016 9:53 AM

Close
AndersD_Vasa

Q: Can I delete pictures from my iCloud and still have the originals in Pictures on my iMac?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by FoxFifth,Apple recommended

    FoxFifth FoxFifth Apr 27, 2016 9:53 AM in response to AndersD_Vasa
    Level 7 (26,590 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 27, 2016 9:53 AM in response to AndersD_Vasa

    If you have Yosemite 10.10.3 or later and the photos are in the Photos app (successor to iPhoto) on your Mac and iCloud Photo Library is turned on in the Photos Preferences on your Mac, then if you delete them from iCloud Photos at icloud.com or from any device where iCloud Photo Library is turned on, then they will also be deleted from the Photos app on your Mac.

     

    To be safe you may want to reply with more details of 1) how the photos were originally uploaded to iCloud (by turning on iCloud Photo Library in Settings > iCloud > Photos?) or give details of what you did to place them on iCloud 2) how you intend to download them to your Mac and where (e.g. to Photos, iPhoto, or neither) and 3) what version of OS is on your Mac (Apple menu > About this Mac).

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Apr 11, 2016 12:32 PM in response to AndersD_Vasa
    Level 9 (71,926 points)
    iTunes
    Apr 11, 2016 12:32 PM in response to AndersD_Vasa

    Stop Photos syncing in Photos/Preferences/iCloud and in System Preferences/iCloud . Check to make sure you have your photos and then delete them from iCloud.com.

  • by AndersD_Vasa,

    AndersD_Vasa AndersD_Vasa Apr 27, 2016 9:53 AM in response to FoxFifth
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iCloud
    Apr 27, 2016 9:53 AM in response to FoxFifth

    FoxFifth:

    1) yes, I turned on iCloud Photo Library on my devices

    2) I am satisfies with keeping them in Photos

    3) OS X El Capitan 10.11

     

    Waiting for more clues what to do.

     

    thanks, Anders

  • by FoxFifth,Apple recommended

    FoxFifth FoxFifth Apr 27, 2016 10:05 AM in response to AndersD_Vasa
    Level 7 (26,590 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 27, 2016 10:05 AM in response to AndersD_Vasa

    You can delete them from iCloud if you don't have any devices where iCloud Photo Library is turned on (or stated another way, if you delete a photo from iCloud it will also be deleted from every device where you have iCloud Photo Library turned on).

     

    The statement below from Get help with your iCloud Photo Library - Apple Support may also help.

    You can turn off iCloud Photo Library on a single device when you follow these steps:

    • On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > iCloud > Photos and turn off iCloud Photo Library.
    • On your Mac, go to System Preferences > iCloud > Options next to Photos, then deselect iCloud Photo Library.
    • On your Apple TV (4th generation), go to Settings > Accounts > iCloud and under Photos press Select to turn off iCloud Photo Library.

    If you have Optimize Storage turned on, you might not have all of your original photos and videos on your device. To download the original photos and videos on your iOS device, go to Settings > iCloud > Photos and select Download and Keep Originals. On your Mac, open Photos, choose Photos > Preferences, then select Download Originals to this Mac. Then you can turn iCloud Photo Library off. You can also select the photos and videos that you want to download from iCloud.com.