One of the things that users still do not understand is how the iCloud Photo Library works. In another article I explained in detail how it works, but I did not develop enough the aspect that I want to share with you today.
A co-worker asked me to turn off the ICloud Photo Library from his iPad because he just wanted it to be on the iPhone. This would free up space on a first-generation 16GB iPad mini.
At the request, I went in the following way to deactivate the Photo Library. Follow these steps to turn off iCloud Photo Library on a single device:
- On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:
- If you are using iOS 10.3 or later, go to Settings> [your name]> iCloud> Photos, then turn off iCloud Photo Library.
- If you're using iOS 10.2 or earlier, go to Settings> iCloud> Photos, then turn off iCloud Photo Library.
- On your Mac, go to System Preferences> iCloud> Options next to Photos and deselect iCloud Photo Library.
- On an Apple TV 4K or Apple TV (4th generation), go to Settings> Accounts> iCloud. In Photos, tap Select to turn off iCloud Photo Library.
How do I disable iCloud Photo Library on a single device?
As you can see, I tell you to do these steps to be able to deactivate the Photo Library UN of your devices and this is where what I want to clarify comes from. ICloud Photo Library is not disabled from an Apple ID but from a device that has your Apple ID. You can disable Photo Library on iPad but not iPhone. You can have it on the Mac and not on the iPad. You can make the configuration you want.
When you turn on iCloud Photo Library, the photos in Camera Roll are added to the All Photos album. Also, photos are deleted from My Photo Stream that are in the My Photo Stream album but not saved in the library. As soon as you activate iCloud Photo Library, the My Photos Streaming album will not appear separately.
If you have another device that has My Photo Stream turned on and iCloud Photo Library turned off, you will still see the My Photo Stream album on that device. All the photos you take or add to the library will appear in that album on that device.
So if you want to get more space on a small capacity device but you want to enjoy the Photo Library in the rest, follow the steps that I have told you.
How do I remove all content in iCloud Photo Library from iCloud and from my devices?
To turn off iCloud Photo Library everywhere, follow these steps:
- On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:
- If you're using iOS 10.3 or later, go to Settings> [your name]> iCloud> Storage. iCloud> Manage Storage> iCloud Photo Library, then select Turn off and delete.
- If you're using iOS 10.2 or earlier, go to Settings> iCloud> Storage> Manage Storage> iCloud Photo Library, then select Turn off and delete.
- On your Mac, go to the Apple menu> System Preferences> iCloud. Click Manage and select Photo Library. Then select Deactivate and Delete.
Photos and videos will be stored in your account for 30 days. To download photos and videos to your iOS device, go to Settings> [your name]> iCloud> Photos and select Download and keep originals. On your Mac, open Photos, select Photos> Preferences, and then select Download originals on this Mac. You can also select the photos and videos you want to download from iCloud.com.