I just want to free up iCloud storage to get that annoying message from popping up, I don't want to buy more storage. how do I import my iPhone photos to store on my MacBook Air then delete them from my iCloud?
MacBook Air, iOS 12.0.1
OK, so you would need to turn off iCloud Photo Library on your iOS device (iCloud Photos in iOS 12) or Mac. You can find this option in Settings>iCloud>Photos.
When you do that, you will be given the option to Disable & Delete the iCloud Photo Library:
See this support article for more detail: Get help with iCloud Photos - Apple Support
Once you have done that, you can then import your photos to your Mac by following the instructions in this support article:
Best,
GB
If you turned off iCloud Photo Library on your iOS device and your Mac, anything remaining on those devices are on those devices. Photos that were in the iCloud Photo Library only (i.e., did not have "download originals" set on the device) would disappear from your device or computer as soon as iCloud Photo Library was turned off.
If you have the photos you want to keep already on your device or computer, you can go to iCloud.com and delete the photos from there without waiting for 30 days if you wish. If you are concerned that a setting may not be correct, and want to make sure you do not delete photos that are on your Mac or iOS device(s), then go to iCloud.com via the browser on your Mac, and delete a few photos that you are also seeing on your Mac or iOS device to ensure that they are not removed from either of them.
Best,
GB
That means that you have iCloud Photo Library (iCloud Photos in iOS 12) turned on again. Go to Settings>your name>iCoud>Photos and see if that option is turned on.
The message means that if you delete the photo, since you have iCloud Photo Library turned on, that photo will be deleted from any other device that is signed into your iCloud account with iCloud Photo Library turned on. So, in this situation, if you didn't have it turned on for any other device or computer, it would get deleted from your iPhone and from the iCloud.com Photos app.
As with any other deleted photo, it would be in the Recently Deleted album for 30 days.
Best,
GB
Okay Gail, I did just like you said. I disabled and deleted, imported all photos. so now, I have like 2k photos in my photo library on my Mac, does that mean they are downloaded and won't delete after thirty days? just trying to make sure thats not an iCloud library or something. What happens to the ones on my phone after thirty days? will they delete or will they remain on my phone, just not in the iCloud?
You have been so great! Thank you so so much. There wasn’t a dowloand originals options but there was an option to import photos and they are close to the same number as what my iPhone shows so hopefully that was correct.
Most excellent! You are very welcome, and glad you are all set now 🙂
Best,
GB
Well now if I delete a photo from my phone it says it will be deleted from all devices with iCloud. Does that mean that all my photos will delete on my phone after 30 days?! Justbfreaking out here.
How to import photos from iPhone to MacBook Air
