Confused85
Level 1 (4 points)
iCloud

Q: iCloud photos disappearing - help!

Hi everyone,

 

Some time ago I decided to purchase additional storage in my iCloud so that I could store photos from my iPhone 5s 16GB and then delete them from the device to free up extra space.

 

I am aware that iCloud backups occur when connected to wi-fi, plugged in etc.

 

But...2 days ago I had approx. 400 photos on my iCloud photo library (checked on laptop) and today when I checked I have only 66 (the photos that are currently on my actual iPhone).

 

Can anyone please tell me how this thing works?! I have tried asking an Apple "Genius" but they didn't help much...

 

It might help to know that yesterday I switched off backup in iCloud settings on my iPhone in an attempt to preserve battery, but I am not sure why this would delete those photos that had already been backed up to iCloud!

 

At the moment it seems I am paying for nothing. I had purchased storage in order to avoid having to physically connect the iPhone to a computer to transfer photos on to a memory stick or something, but this seems to be the only thing that guarantees my photos get saved.

 

Thanks for your help!

iPhone 5s, iOS 9.3.2, 16 GB unlocked

Posted on Jun 2, 2016 3:43 AM

Close
Confused85

Q: iCloud photos disappearing - help!

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jun 2, 2016 4:38 AM in response to Confused85
    Level 10 (104,521 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 2, 2016 4:38 AM in response to Confused85

    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.


    In most cases optimising your photos should be enough to elevate space related issues on your device. If however you have an exceptionally large library you may need to turn off iCloud photo library on your mobile device and use photo stream instead. You can then use a computer to handle photo stream photos and have them automatically imported into you iCloud photo library.

  • by Confused85,

    Confused85 Confused85 Jun 2, 2016 5:02 AM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iCloud
    Jun 2, 2016 5:02 AM in response to Winston Churchill

    Thanks for your reply.

     

    So what indeed is the point of paying for extra iCloud storage?

     

    And as far as I can see, photo stream no longer exists...

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jun 2, 2016 8:16 AM in response to Confused85
    Level 10 (104,521 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 2, 2016 8:16 AM in response to Confused85

    what makes you think you are buying extra storage, you are buying iCloud storage And yes photo stream still exists.

  • by BBoiss,

    BBoiss BBoiss Jun 2, 2016 9:52 AM in response to Confused85
    Level 4 (1,404 points)
    Apple Music
    Jun 2, 2016 9:52 AM in response to Confused85

    iCloud Photo Library FAQ - Apple Support

     

    It's not purposed as an archive, but as a means to have all of your library with you at all times wherever you may go, while giving you the option to Optimize your iPhone Storage for this use. I love this part, because I can search my library of 18,000 photos and 800 videos all from my iPhone. They take up 112GB in my iCloud Storage, but only 4.2GB on my actual device because they are Optimized. I still have access to the full-resolution versions whenever I choose to download the original or visit iCloud.com.

     

    If you are looking for redundancy in the way of an archive, you might be better suited to sync your photos manually to your computer. You could use alternative archive services like Dropbox as well. It's all a matter of personal preference.