In this guide, we will show you how to turn off iCloud Photos without losing any photos, and provide some tips to optimize your photo storage. Before performing any actions, it’s advisable to backup all your photos externally.
If you want to turn off iCloud Photos because you are running out of space on your iOS device, you can optimize your iPhone storage first. By going to Settings > iCloud > Photos > Optimize iPhone Storage, your device will replace your full-resolution photos with optimized versions that take up less space on your device.
If you still want to turn off iCloud Photos, follow these steps:
– On iOS devices, go to Settings > iCloud > Photos, then turn off the iCloud Photo Library.
– On Mac devices, go to System Preferences > iCloud > Options > Photos, and select iCloud Photo Library.
– On Apple TV, go to Settings > Accounts > iCloud > Select Photos and choose how to disable iCloud Photo Library.
Once you turn off iCloud Photos, your photos will be stored only locally on your device. If you want to back up your photos, you can download Google Photos app and transfer them to Google’s image servers for free, with unlimited storage up to a certain size.
Remember that Apple stores your photos on its servers for up to 30 days after you turn off iCloud Photos. Therefore, you can always reverse the instructions above within 30 days if you decide it was the wrong decision.
In summary, turning off iCloud Photos won’t delete any photos from your device but only stores them locally. Optimize your photo storage first, then follow the instructions above to turn off iCloud Photos. Backup your photos externally or transfer them to Google Photos for unlimited storage.
FAQs:
1. What happens to my photos when I turn off iCloud Photos?
– Your photos will be stored only locally on your device, and Apple will store your photos on its servers for up to 30 days after turning off iCloud Photos.
2. How can I backup my photos externally?
– You can backup your photos by downloading them to your computer or uploading them to another cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox.