HT204570: Get help with your iCloud Photo Library

Learn about Get help with your iCloud Photo Library
melissa3775
Level 1 (4 points)
Apple TV

Q: I want to delete photos from my phone but I DO NOT want them deleted from the icloud.  How do I do this?

I want to delete photos from my phone but I DO NOT want them deleted from the icloud.  How do I do this?

Posted on May 26, 2016 10:31 AM

Close
melissa3775

Q: I want to delete photos from my phone but I DO NOT want them deleted from the icloud.  How do I do this?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill May 26, 2016 10:36 AM in response to melissa3775
    Level 10 (103,375 points)
    Apple TV
    May 26, 2016 10:36 AM in response to melissa3775

    Welcome to the Apple Community.


    With iCloud Photo Library enabled, you cannot delete a photo on one device (or at iCloud.com) without deleting it from every device that uses iCloud photo library (and iCloud.com). 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.