How to Delete Photos from iCloud

Delete unwanted photos from iCloud to free up storage space across all your Apple devices.

Steps

1
Open the Photos app
on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Make sure iCloud Photos is turned on in your Settings.
2
Select the photos
you want to delete. Tap "Select" at the top, then tap each photo you want to remove.
3
Tap the trash icon
and confirm you want to delete. The photos are moved to the "Recently Deleted" folder.
4
Empty the "Recently Deleted" folder
to permanently remove the photos. Go to Albums, scroll to "Recently Deleted," tap "Select," and tap "Delete All."

How long do photos stay in Recently Deleted?Show

Photos stay in the "Recently Deleted" folder for 30 days before they are permanently removed.

Will deleting photos from iCloud delete them from my phone?Show

Yes, because iCloud keeps all devices in sync. Deleting from iCloud removes the photo everywhere.

Can I recover a photo after emptying Recently Deleted?Show

Once the 30 day period ends or you empty the folder, photos cannot be recovered from iCloud.

How do I delete photos only from iCloud but keep them on my phone?Show

Turn off iCloud Photos in Settings, choose "Remove from iPhone," then download the originals and delete from iCloud.com.

Written by the HowToDoStuff.online editorial team. Last updated May 18, 2026.