Level 1

81 points

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

Top-ranking reply

rose_10

Community Specialist

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!

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99 replies

Jodimi

Level 1

4 points

Aug 6, 2017 3:10 AM in response to rhwolfson

Apple Support Community.

Please show us where "select photos" is placed on your browser window, as such option is available in my browser.

Thank you!

sravicha

Level 1

12 points

Jun 25, 2017 7:41 AM in response to rose_10

As you can see below in screenshot there is no option for select at all....

Walsh71

Level 1

4 points

May 22, 2018 1:16 AM in response to rhwolfson

When viewing your photos on PC listed by date, move your cursor to the far right of your screen and you’ll see a plus icon and an arrow icon. Click the plus icon then click the trash can and you can delete everything from that date.

efbrazil

Level 1

8 points

Oct 3, 2018 9:07 AM in response to rhwolfson

You can bulk delete all photos using your iphone. Just go to settings / icloud storage / manage storage and delete / disable icloud photos from there.

If you want to save your photos first, sync to google photos, which has no storage limits.

1 Install icloud for PC

2 Download all your icloud photos (reboot if the sync doesn't work at first, icloud on pc is super buggy)

3 Install Google Drive, go into preferences, and choose to backup and sync your Pictures directory (that's where icloud photos stored stuff)

4 When Google drive is done uploading, you can do the bulk delete from icloud as described above

5 If you like, you can then turn icloud photos back on. When you hit 5 GB again, just rinse and repeat the above process.

Mar 13, 2017 12:17 PM in response to Texan_user

Thanks!! This works and is way easier than one at a time.

Chas_C

Level 1

8 points

Mar 14, 2017 12:51 PM in response to Eric Root

Thank you, again, Eric. Feedback just sent. Grateful regards / Charles

Eric Root

Level 10

685,275 points

Mar 14, 2017 1:30 PM in response to Chas_C

You are welcome.

rags80

Level 1

4 points

Mar 21, 2017 10:50 PM in response to Eric Root

I submitted a feedback to them, and its astonishing how they can miss a simple feature like this.

Eric Root

Level 10

685,275 points

Mar 22, 2017 12:33 PM in response to Chas_C

You are welcome.

klivz

Level 1

4 points

Mar 24, 2017 4:31 PM in response to Chas_C

THANKYOU!! you just saved me so much time

Apr 11, 2017 10:55 PM in response to Eric Root

thankyou will give that a shot

and they need it.

thanks again

Apr 16, 2017 12:02 PM in response to Eric Root

Thank you. This was making me crazy.

Eric Root

Level 10

685,275 points

Apr 16, 2017 12:34 PM in response to vickiiseler

You are welcome.

Jun 1, 2017 11:41 PM in response to rose_10

Hi Sarah,

I couldn't find "select photos" option anywhere. I logged into icloud.com in windows 10.

Help me.

TIA

Vinny

Jun 25, 2017 10:00 AM in response to Hotovy

This was the easiest and fastest way to delete all the photos from icloud library!

Thanks!

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Delete multiple photos from iCloud