peakoverload
Level 1 (4 points)
iPhone

Q: Freeing Up Space on iPhone Photo Library

I must admit I find the way Apple handle iCloud and photo libraries really confusing.

 

Currently I have only 2.8GB of available storage on my iPhone and want to free up some space. So if I go to Settings>General>Storage & iCloud Usage>Manage Storage (under Storage), it tells me that Photos & Camera is using 893MB of space.

 

Yet.

 

If I go to Settings>Photos & Camera, it is set to iCloud Photo Library and Optimise iPhone Storage and Upload to My Photo Stream are all enabled.

 

Doesn't that mean that all my photos and videos should be stored in iCloud and that therefore my Storage should be 0 (or near enough), not 893MB?

 

I've tried deleting photos and deleted about 100 old and new (I don't take photos often so new means about a month ago) but this doesn't seem to be making any dent in the 893MB (and yes I deleted them from the recently deleted folder).

 

Is this how it's meant to work or is it possible to recover that 893MB?

Posted on May 27, 2016 6:49 AM

by gail from maine,Solvedanswer
gail from maine gail from maine
Level 7 (26,229 points)
iCloud
A:

iCloud Photo Library is not an archival cloud service. The primary purpose of iCloud Photo Library is to provide a single source where your photos taken from any device will be automatically shared with all devices and computers signed into the same iCloud account with iCloud Photo Library signed in.

 

iCloud Photo Library manages your storage dynamically. Deleting photos from your device deletes them permanently everywhere. But if your overall library is larger than 893 MB (which it undoubtedly is), then that number won't go down. iCloud has provided as many optimized photos to your device as possible, the rest are thumbnails.

 

Here are some support articles that may help you to understand how iCloud Photo Library works:

 

iCloud Photo Library FAQ - Apple Support

 

iCloud Photo Library Help - Apple Support

 

Best of luck,

 

GB

Posted on May 27, 2016 7:15 AM

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peakoverload

Q: Freeing Up Space on iPhone Photo Library

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  • Helpful answers

  • by gail from maine,Solvedanswer

    gail from maine gail from maine May 27, 2016 7:15 AM in response to peakoverload
    Level 7 (26,229 points)
    iCloud
    May 27, 2016 7:15 AM in response to peakoverload

    iCloud Photo Library is not an archival cloud service. The primary purpose of iCloud Photo Library is to provide a single source where your photos taken from any device will be automatically shared with all devices and computers signed into the same iCloud account with iCloud Photo Library signed in.

     

    iCloud Photo Library manages your storage dynamically. Deleting photos from your device deletes them permanently everywhere. But if your overall library is larger than 893 MB (which it undoubtedly is), then that number won't go down. iCloud has provided as many optimized photos to your device as possible, the rest are thumbnails.

     

    Here are some support articles that may help you to understand how iCloud Photo Library works:

     

    iCloud Photo Library FAQ - Apple Support

     

    iCloud Photo Library Help - Apple Support

     

    Best of luck,

     

    GB

  • by elcpu,Helpful

    elcpu elcpu May 27, 2016 7:15 AM in response to peakoverload
    Level 6 (16,207 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 27, 2016 7:15 AM in response to peakoverload

    peakoverload wrote:

     

    1) I must admit I find the way Apple handle iCloud and photo libraries really confusing.

     

     

    2) Doesn't that mean that all my photos and videos should be stored in iCloud and that therefore my Storage should be 0 (or near enough), not 893MB?

     

    1) You are not the only one. iCloud Photo Library has created issues for many. I have had to reply to users who inadvertently deleted their photos from their phone only to find out later that doing so also deleted them from iCloud permanently. Some of these were irreplaceable photos.

     

    2) Gail gave you an excellent overview of the purpose of iCPL. If after reading her articles you want to keep your photos on a true cloud storage service, try DropBox, Photobucket, or a myriad of other cloud storage available on the App Store. With those services you can keep photos on the cloud and delete them from your phone without deleting them on the cloud.

  • by peakoverload,

    peakoverload peakoverload May 27, 2016 7:18 AM in response to gail from maine
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    May 27, 2016 7:18 AM in response to gail from maine

    Ahh right, that actually makes sense. Many thanks for that, I've been trying to get my head around how it all works but it always appeared that the same terminology could refer to two different things and it wasn't clear which was which, but what you've said explained it perfectly.

     

    Looks like I'll just have to delete a few more apps instead. It's only because I'm off on holiday next week and just want a bit more space for a few photos/videos for when I'm not using my proper camera.

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu May 27, 2016 7:23 AM in response to peakoverload
    Level 6 (16,207 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 27, 2016 7:23 AM in response to peakoverload

    peakoverload wrote:

     

    Looks like I'll just have to delete a few more apps instead. It's only because I'm off on holiday next week and just want a bit more space for a few photos/videos for when I'm not using my proper camera.

     

    I would not be surprised if deleting a few apps results in little or no gain. iCPL may just download more full size photos or more optimized photos thus taking up the space.

  • by gail from maine,

    gail from maine gail from maine May 27, 2016 10:20 AM in response to peakoverload
    Level 7 (26,229 points)
    iCloud
    May 27, 2016 10:20 AM in response to peakoverload

    Great! You are most welcome

     

    Have a great vacation!

     

    GB