How to minimize photo storage on iPad and iPhone

Question

Level 1

15 points

How to minimize photo storage on iPad and iPhone

I'm working on an iPad Air, iPhone, MacBook Pro and Windows 10 PC. I am trying to limit the use of storage on all devices and still have access to a very large number of photos. I have 50GB of iCloud storage and if I need to increase it, I will.

My question regards the options under Settings > iCloud > Photos. If I select Optimize iPad/iPhone Storage AND select the Upload to My Photo Stream, does that mean all images on both the iPhone and iPad will be uploaded, saved in the original resolution (in the cloud) and then optimized copies downloaded (to replace the original images) on each device?

If that's the case, which I hope is so, I'd be able to see all photos across all devices in an optimized version (thus saving local storage). When I load the photo to print or edit, does iOS automatically download and use the original resolution image?

iPhone 5s, iOS 9.3.5, Also on iPad Air and MacBook Pro

Posted on Sep 28, 2016 7:20 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Sep 28, 2016 7:45 PM in response to GrampsBacon

Yes to all:

iCloud Photo Library FAQ - Apple Support

iCloud Photo Library Help - Apple Support

Keep in mind that any change you make to photo anywhere is changed everywhere. That includes deleting photos.

Cheers,

GB

Reply

Answer 2

GrampsBacon Author

Level 1

15 points

Sep 28, 2016 7:46 PM in response to gail from maine

Thanks Gail, that's what I hoped for and am glad to have it confirmed.

Reply

Answer 3

Sep 29, 2016 10:10 AM in response to GrampsBacon

You are most welcome! 🙂 The main thing to keep in mind is that iCloud Photo Library is a sharing/syncing service, not an archival service. So, it allows you to upload all of your full resolution photos to iCloud, then pushes back the entire library in either full resolution or optimized form (based on what you selected) to all devices and computers that are signed into the same iCloud account with iCloud Photo Library turned on.

As with any iCloud share/sync service (like Contacts, Notes, etc.), there is a single source for the data, and multiple access routes to that source. Anything you do to those photos via any access route updates the source library.

Cheers and best of luck!

GB

Reply