Are you tired of running out of storage space on your iPhone due to the numerous photos you’ve taken over the years? Do you want to free up some space without losing your precious memories? If so, you’re probably wondering if it’s possible to delete photos from your iPhone and still keep them on Google Photos. In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to do it.
Understanding Google Photos and iPhone Storage
Before we dive into the solution, let’s first understand how Google Photos and iPhone storage work.
Google Photos Storage
Google Photos is a cloud-based photo and video storage service that allows you to store and access your media files from anywhere. When you upload your photos to Google Photos, they are stored in the cloud, and you can access them from any device with an internet connection. Google Photos offers unlimited storage for photos and videos, but there are some limitations. For example, photos larger than 16 megapixels and videos longer than 1080p are compressed to save storage space.
iPhone Storage
iPhones have limited storage capacity, and photos can take up a significant amount of space. When you take a photo with your iPhone, it is stored on the device’s internal storage. If you have a large photo library, it can quickly fill up your iPhone’s storage, leaving you with limited space for other apps, music, and files.
Can I Delete Photos from iPhone and Keep on Google Photos?
The answer to this question is yes, you can delete photos from your iPhone and still keep them on Google Photos. However, there are some things you need to know before doing so.
Backup and Sync
To delete photos from your iPhone and keep them on Google Photos, you need to make sure that your iPhone is backed up to Google Photos. You can do this by enabling the “Backup and Sync” feature in the Google Photos app on your iPhone. This feature will automatically upload your photos to Google Photos whenever you take a new photo or video.
Delete Photos from iPhone
Once your photos are backed up to Google Photos, you can delete them from your iPhone to free up storage space. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
- Select the photos you want to delete.
- Tap the “Trash” icon to delete the photos.
Verify Photos are Still on Google Photos
After deleting the photos from your iPhone, verify that they are still on Google Photos. You can do this by opening the Google Photos app on your iPhone or accessing the Google Photos website on your computer.
How to Enable Backup and Sync on Google Photos
Enabling Backup and Sync on Google Photos is a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:
Enable Backup and Sync on iPhone
- Open the Google Photos app on your iPhone.
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) on the top left corner of the screen.
- Tap “Settings.”
- Tap “Backup and Sync.”
- Toggle the switch to enable Backup and Sync.
Choose Backup Quality
When you enable Backup and Sync, you’ll be asked to choose the backup quality. You can choose between “Original” and “High Quality.” If you choose “Original,” your photos will be uploaded in their original size and quality. If you choose “High Quality,” your photos will be compressed to save storage space.
Tips for Managing Your Photos
Here are some tips for managing your photos on Google Photos and iPhone:
Use the “Free Up Space” Feature
Google Photos has a “Free Up Space” feature that allows you to delete photos from your iPhone that are already backed up to Google Photos. To use this feature, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Photos app on your iPhone.
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) on the top left corner of the screen.
- Tap “Settings.”
- Tap “Free Up Space.”
Use the “Archive” Feature
Google Photos also has an “Archive” feature that allows you to move photos to a separate archive folder. This feature is useful for photos that you don’t want to delete but don’t want to see in your main photo library. To use this feature, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Photos app on your iPhone.
- Select the photos you want to archive.
- Tap the “More” icon (three vertical dots) on the top right corner of the screen.
- Tap “Archive.”
Conclusion
Deleting photos from your iPhone and keeping them on Google Photos is a great way to free up storage space on your device. By enabling Backup and Sync on Google Photos, you can ensure that your photos are safely stored in the cloud and can be accessed from anywhere. Remember to verify that your photos are still on Google Photos after deleting them from your iPhone, and use the “Free Up Space” and “Archive” features to manage your photos effectively.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can enjoy the benefits of cloud storage and free up space on your iPhone.
Can I delete photos from my iPhone and still keep them on Google Photos?
Yes, you can delete photos from your iPhone and still keep them on Google Photos. This is because Google Photos stores your photos in the cloud, which means they are saved on Google’s servers and not on your device. As long as you have synced your iPhone photos with Google Photos, you can delete them from your device without affecting the copies stored in Google Photos.
However, it’s essential to note that if you delete photos from your iPhone before syncing them with Google Photos, they will be lost forever. To avoid this, make sure to sync your iPhone photos with Google Photos regularly, especially before deleting them from your device. You can do this by opening the Google Photos app on your iPhone, going to the settings, and ensuring that the “Backup & sync” option is enabled.
How do I enable the “Backup & sync” option on Google Photos?
To enable the “Backup & sync” option on Google Photos, follow these steps: Open the Google Photos app on your iPhone, tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and select “Settings.” Scroll down to the “Backup & sync” section and toggle the switch to the right to enable it. You can also choose the upload size and whether to use cellular data or Wi-Fi only for uploading photos.
Additionally, you can also enable the “Backup & sync” option from the Google Photos settings on your iPhone. To do this, go to the iPhone settings, scroll down to the “Google Photos” section, and toggle the switch to the right to enable “Backup & sync.” This will ensure that your iPhone photos are synced with Google Photos regularly.
Will deleting photos from my iPhone free up storage space on my device?
Yes, deleting photos from your iPhone will free up storage space on your device. Photos can take up a significant amount of storage space, especially if you have a large collection of high-quality images. By deleting photos from your iPhone, you can reclaim this storage space and use it for other purposes, such as storing more apps, music, or videos.
However, keep in mind that if you have synced your iPhone photos with Google Photos, deleting them from your device will not affect the copies stored in Google Photos. This means that you can still access and view your photos from Google Photos, even after deleting them from your iPhone.
Can I delete photos from Google Photos and still keep them on my iPhone?
No, if you delete photos from Google Photos, they will also be deleted from your iPhone, as long as the “Backup & sync” option is enabled. This is because Google Photos syncs your photos across all your devices, including your iPhone. When you delete a photo from Google Photos, it will also be deleted from your iPhone, unless you have disabled the “Backup & sync” option.
However, if you have disabled the “Backup & sync” option or have not synced your iPhone photos with Google Photos, deleting photos from Google Photos will not affect the copies stored on your iPhone. In this case, you can still access and view your photos from your iPhone, even after deleting them from Google Photos.
How do I know if my iPhone photos are synced with Google Photos?
To check if your iPhone photos are synced with Google Photos, follow these steps: Open the Google Photos app on your iPhone, tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and select “Settings.” Scroll down to the “Backup & sync” section and check if the switch is toggled to the right. If it is, your iPhone photos are being synced with Google Photos.
Additionally, you can also check the Google Photos app on your iPhone to see if your photos are being uploaded. If you see a progress bar or a message indicating that your photos are being uploaded, it means that your iPhone photos are being synced with Google Photos.
Can I delete photos from my iPhone and still keep them on other devices?
Yes, if you have synced your iPhone photos with Google Photos, you can delete them from your iPhone and still keep them on other devices, such as your computer or tablet. This is because Google Photos syncs your photos across all your devices, as long as you have the Google Photos app installed and the “Backup & sync” option enabled.
However, keep in mind that if you delete photos from your iPhone before syncing them with Google Photos, they will be lost forever. To avoid this, make sure to sync your iPhone photos with Google Photos regularly, especially before deleting them from your device.
What happens to my photos if I disable the “Backup & sync” option on Google Photos?
If you disable the “Backup & sync” option on Google Photos, your iPhone photos will no longer be synced with Google Photos. This means that any new photos you take on your iPhone will not be uploaded to Google Photos, and any changes you make to your photos on Google Photos will not be reflected on your iPhone.
However, keep in mind that disabling the “Backup & sync” option will not affect the photos that are already stored in Google Photos. You can still access and view your photos from Google Photos, even after disabling the “Backup & sync” option. But any new photos you take on your iPhone will not be synced with Google Photos unless you re-enable the “Backup & sync” option.