Is there any way to delete photos/videos from my iPhone without deleting them from my iCloud? I'm trying to free up device space without losing the pictures/videos on the cloud.
iPhone 6, iOS 9.3.2
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.
You did not think that means you can keep every single photo you take regardless of quantity, did you?
If you did I have a bridge we should talk about.
raponceu wrote:
Google Photos and (Amazon) Prime Photos are excellent choices,
So, just use Google or Amazon.
As a followup to Gail's post, I just came across this excellent article today: A Beginner’s Guide to Backing Up Photos - The New York Times
Delete Photos Just Off iPhone, Not iCloud
