As we all know, iPhone’s storage is limited. And for those who love clicking pictures, the storage limit can be a real pain. The Photos app on the iPhone not only stores pictures, but also videos, GIFs, and Live Photos. All these files just keep piling up on the device, taking up valuable space. So, what can we do to free up space on iPhone Photos? In this blog, we will explore some effective ways to do so, and also provide answers to some of the FAQs that iPhone users commonly have.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we start with the methods, here’s what you need to have:
– An iPhone with sufficient battery life.
– Stable internet connection.
– Some free time to perform these tasks.
What requires your focus?
The methods we will be discussing require attention to detail and accuracy. You have to make sure that you do not delete any important photos or videos accidentally. So, it’s important to follow the steps carefully.
Method 1: Delete Unwanted Photos and Videos
The most obvious way to free up space on your iPhone Photos is to delete the pictures and videos that you no longer need. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. From the bottom menu, select the "Albums" tab.
3. Scroll down and select the "Recently Deleted" folder.
4. Tap on "Select" in the top right corner.
5. Now, select the photos and videos that you want to delete permanently.
6. Tap on "Delete" and confirm.
Pros:
– This method is quick and easy.
– You can selectively delete the photos and videos you no longer need.
Cons:
– If you accidentally delete an important file, you won’t be able to recover it.
– It might take some time to delete a large number of files.
Method 2: Backup Photos to iCloud
Another way to free up space on your iPhone Photos is to backup your photos to iCloud. This will move the photos from your device to the iCloud servers, so you can delete them from your device to make space.
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on your name at the top of the screen.
3. Select "iCloud" and then "Photos".
4. Turn on "iCloud Photos".
5. Select "Optimize iPhone Storage" to only keep optimized versions of your photos on your iPhone.
6. Wait for the backup to complete.
Pros:
– You can access your backed up photos from any device with your iCloud account.
– It’s a safe way to keep your photos backed up in case your device is lost or stolen.
Cons:
– iCloud storage is limited, and you may have to purchase more storage if you run out.
– The backup process can take some time, especially if you have a lot of photos.
Method 3: Use a Third-Party Storage App
There are many third-party storage apps available that allow you to store your photos and videos on their servers. Some popular apps include Google Photos, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
1. Download a third-party storage app from the App Store.
2. Sign up for an account with the app.
3. Select the photos and videos that you want to move to the app’s servers.
4. Wait for the upload to complete.
5. Delete the photos and videos from your iPhone.
Pros:
– These apps often offer more storage space than iCloud for free.
– You can access your photos and videos from any device with the app installed.
Cons:
– The upload process can take some time, especially if you have a lot of photos and videos.
– The app may compress your photos and videos to save space, which may reduce their quality.
Method 4: Use a Cleaning App
There are also many cleaning apps available that help you free up space on your iPhone Photos. These apps usually scan your device for junk files, duplicate photos, and other unnecessary data. Some popular cleaning apps include CleanMyPhone, Memory & Disk Scanner Pro – CleanMyPhone, and iMyFone Umate.
1. Download and install a cleaning app from the App Store.
2. Follow the app’s instructions to scan your device for junk files and duplicate photos.
3. Select the files that you want to delete.
4. Wait for the cleaning process to complete.
Pros:
– Cleaning apps can identify and remove files that you may have missed.
– Some apps offer additional features like app management and device monitoring.
Cons:
– These apps may not always be accurate in identifying unnecessary files, so it’s important to review their selections carefully.
– Some cleaning apps may charge you for additional features or upgrade packages.
Why Can’t I Free Up Space on iPhone Photos?
1. You have already deleted all unwanted photos and videos, but your storage space is still full. This may be because of other files on your device, such as apps, documents, or cached data.
2. You have iCloud Photos enabled, but you have selected "Download and Keep Originals" instead of "Optimize iPhone Storage". This means that all your photos and videos are still on your device, taking up space.
3. You have a lot of Live Photos or burst mode photos, which take up more space than regular photos.
4. You have turned on the "HDR" or "Deep Fusion" camera features on your iPhone, which also takes up more space than regular photos.
Fixes:
1. You can try deleting unnecessary apps, documents, or cached data to free up space.
2. Check your iCloud Photos settings and make sure you have selected "Optimize iPhone Storage".
3. Consider turning off Live Photos or burst mode if you don’t use them frequently.
4. Use the regular camera mode instead of HDR or Deep Fusion if you need more space.
Suggestions
Here are some additional suggestions to help you better manage your iPhone Photos:
1. Use the "Offload Unused Apps" feature in the iPhone Settings to free up space taken up by apps that you haven’t used in a while.
2. Manually review your photos and videos from time to time to identify ones that you no longer need.
3. Consider using a photo management app like Google Photos or Apple Photos to better organize your files.
5 FAQs
Q: Will deleting photos and videos from iCloud also delete them from my device?
A: No, deleting photos and videos from iCloud will not delete them from your device. You will have to delete them separately from your device’s Photos app.
Q: How do I recover a photo or video that I accidentally deleted?
A: If you have recently deleted a photo or video, you can recover it from the "Recently Deleted" folder in your Photos app. If the file is not there, you may be able to recover it from a backup.
Q: Can I use a cleaning app to delete all unnecessary files at once?
A: Yes, most cleaning apps have a feature to automatically delete all unnecessary files in one go. However, it’s important to review the selections carefully before doing so.
Q: Can I use multiple third-party storage apps to backup my photos and videos?
A: Yes, you can use multiple third-party storage apps to backup your photos and videos. Just make sure that you keep track of which files are stored in which app.
Q: How do I access my photos and videos stored in a third-party app?
A: You can usually access your photos and videos by opening the app on your device and signing in to your account. You can also access them from a computer by visiting the app’s website.
Conclusion
We hope that these methods and tips have helped you free up space on your iPhone Photos. Remember to always double-check before deleting any important files, and regularly review your files to keep them organized. Happy clicking!
