Delete multiple photos from iCloud

I use icloud photos with multiple devices, including an iPhone 4, an iPad, a Macbook pro and two PCs.

My icloud library is too large, containing many duplicates (same photo taken several times) and many photos I don't want to keep.

Deleting photos from the library using the icloud library is a slow, cumbersome process. I can only delete one at a time, each time taking 20 seconds or more, even with a high speed internet connection.

How can I select & delete several photos at once?


[Re-Titled by Host]

iPhone 5s, iOS 9.3.5

Posted on Aug 27, 2016 9:56 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 28, 2016 4:23 PM

Hello rhwolfson,


Thank you for using the Apple Support Communities!


It sounds like you want to be able to remove multiple pictures from iCloud Photo Library at the same time. I will do my best to help find a solution for you.


The easiest way to remove multiple photos is to sign into iCloud.com on one of the computers you listed. Once signed in, click on the photos icon. When you are in the "Moments" view, you should see "Select Photos" in the upper right of the browser window. Click "Select Photos". You should now be able to select multiple photos, and then click the "Delete" button that appears. This should allow you to remove multiple photos at one time.


Have a great day!

99 replies

Dec 25, 2017 11:17 AM in response to Aky_akash

This is only working for you because you have a few pics taken on the same date. For the rest of us having a full gallery, one would have to keep clicking on the small + for each date / group of pics.

I disabled my iCloud for photos and now want to delete them from iCloud but I am unable to do so. So smart, Apple.


As many already asserted here, "The only obvious reason could be pushing adoption of iCloud storage" (i.e. end up paying).

Jan 12, 2018 8:25 PM in response to rhwolfson

You can't. Even though Apple says "The easiest way to remove multiple photos is to sign into iCloud.com on one of the computers you listed. Once signed in, click on the photos icon. When you are in the "Moments" view, you should see "Select Photos" in the upper right of the browser window. Click "Select Photos". You should now be able to select multiple photos, and then click the "Delete" button that appears. This should allow you to remove multiple photos at one time." The "select photos" button is only activated after you select a photo, and you still have to click each photo, one by one. You can't highlight a bunch by dragging and highlighting. Perhaps Apple wants to sell more Cloud space.

Jan 12, 2018 8:43 PM in response to rhwolfson

Why would apple take away the ability to delete multiple photos from the cloud? It seems each "upgrade" that I'm eventually required to get results in poorer functioning of all my apple devices. I can't even imagine why a company would strive to make their products perform worse year after year, and we have to pay for service to fix their self-induced problems. Also, iTunes was great 10 years ago, now it *****. I'm ready to go back to PCs: better, cheaper, more accessible to fix yourself. Apple designs things to fail. I'm done with Apple. No longer a good company.

Jan 15, 2018 7:07 AM in response to rhwolfson

Not sure if anyone still needs this but I think I figured out a way to delete photos on iCloud.com that is less painful than doing it individually. You can select multiple photos on a Windows computer by holding the Control (ctrl) button and then it will allow you to delete all of them at once. Still would be nice to have a select all, but better than deleting each photo one by one!

Apr 24, 2018 12:59 PM in response to alligatorsister

Hiya

In photos App select Albums, All Photos, Select (top right), then touch top left photo and a white tick in blue circle designates selected. Then touch adjoining photo and drag horizontal or diagonal as far as you wish. The timing of the second touch and sweep seems to effect the function (a clean sweep is best!), annoying but it does work when done in this order.

Good luck!

Vajrin

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Delete multiple photos from iCloud

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.