Do deleted pictures also get deleted from iCloud?
In today’s digital age, iCloud has become an essential tool for many Apple users to store and sync their photos, documents, and other important data across multiple devices. However, one common concern among users is whether deleted pictures are also removed from iCloud. This article aims to shed light on this topic and provide a clear understanding of how iCloud handles deleted photos.
Understanding iCloud Photo Library
To understand how deleted pictures are handled in iCloud, it’s important to first grasp the concept of the iCloud Photo Library. This feature allows users to store all their photos and videos in the cloud, making them accessible from any of their Apple devices. When you enable the iCloud Photo Library, every photo and video you take or import is automatically uploaded to your iCloud account.
Deleting Photos from Your Device
When you delete a photo from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, it is initially removed from the device’s storage. However, the deletion process is not immediate. Instead, the photo is moved to the Recently Deleted album, where it remains for a specific period of time before being permanently deleted.
Deletion from iCloud
Now, the crucial question is whether the deletion of a photo from your device also results in its removal from iCloud. The answer is both yes and no, depending on the settings you have enabled.
Automatic Deletion
If you have enabled the “Optimize Storage” feature in your iCloud settings, deleted photos will be automatically removed from iCloud after they are deleted from your device. This feature helps free up space on your device by removing the deleted photos from iCloud after 30 days. However, you can still access these photos during this period by restoring them from the Recently Deleted album on your device.
Manual Deletion
On the other hand, if you have disabled the “Optimize Storage” feature, deleted photos will remain in your iCloud Photo Library until you manually delete them from the iCloud website or the iCloud app on your device. To do this, you can go to the Recently Deleted album in the iCloud app and select the photos you want to delete permanently.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether deleted pictures are also removed from iCloud depends on the settings you have enabled. If you have enabled “Optimize Storage,” your deleted photos will be automatically removed from iCloud after 30 days. However, if you have disabled this feature, you will need to manually delete the photos from your iCloud account to free up space. It’s essential to regularly check your iCloud storage and manage your photos accordingly to ensure you have the desired balance between storage and accessibility.
