Running out of space on your iPhone 12? Need a fresh start with your photo library? Deleting all photos from your iPhone can seem like a daunting task, but don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with a simple step-by-step guide that will free up your storage in no time. Let’s dive in!
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Delete All Photos from iPhone 12
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let me give you a heads-up on what we’re about to do. We’re going to clear out your entire photo library on your iPhone 12. This means every single picture you’ve snapped, saved or shared will be gone. Make sure to back up any precious memories you can’t afford to lose!
Step 1: Open the Photos App
Open the Photos app on your iPhone 12.
This is where all your images and videos are stored. You’ll see albums like ‘Recents’ and ‘Favorites’, but we’re going to focus on the big picture (pun intended).
Step 2: Tap on ‘Select’
Tap on ‘Select’ in the top right corner of the screen.
This will allow you to choose multiple photos at once instead of tapping on them one by one – a real time-saver!
Step 3: Select All Photos
Swipe from the bottom to the top of the screen to quickly select all photos.
This nifty little trick will save you from the tedious task of manually selecting each photo. Just keep swiping until you’ve reached the top and all photos are highlighted.
Step 4: Tap on the Trash Can Icon
Tap on the trash can icon in the bottom right corner.
This is it – the point of no return. Once you hit this button, all your selected photos will be moved to the ‘Recently Deleted’ album.
Step 5: Go to ‘Recently Deleted’ Album
Go to the ‘Recently Deleted’ album in your Photos app.
By default, deleted photos hang out here for 30 days in case you change your mind. But we’re on a mission to clear space, so…
Step 6: Delete Photos Permanently
Tap on ‘Select’ and then ‘Delete All’ to remove the photos permanently.
A final confirmation will pop up, and once you confirm, your photos will vanish into the digital abyss, never to be seen again (on your iPhone, at least).
After completing these steps, your iPhone 12 photo library will be empty, giving you a clean slate and plenty of space for new memories. It’s like a digital detox for your iPhone!
Tips for Deleting All Photos from iPhone 12
- Tip 1: Always back up your photos before deleting them. You can use iCloud, a computer, or an external drive – just make sure your memories are safe.
- Tip 2: Consider keeping a few favorite photos on your device. It’s nice to have a couple of pictures handy for quick sharing or a trip down memory lane.
- Tip 3: If you’re selling or giving away your iPhone 12, make sure to log out of iCloud and erase all content and settings to protect your privacy.
- Tip 4: After deleting your photos, you might not see an immediate increase in available storage. Give it a few minutes or even a restart for your iPhone to catch up.
- Tip 5: Use this opportunity to organize your photo library. When you start fresh, create albums and folders to keep everything neat and tidy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting photos from my iPhone 12 delete them from iCloud as well?
No, deleting photos from your iPhone will not automatically delete them from iCloud if you have iCloud Photos turned on.
Can I recover photos after I’ve deleted them permanently?
Once photos are deleted from the ‘Recently Deleted’ album, they cannot be recovered. Hence the importance of backing up first!
What if I only want to delete certain photos, not all of them?
You can manually select individual photos to delete instead of using the ‘Select All’ swipe method.
How do I delete photos from my iPhone 12 if I have a large number of them?
The method outlined above works regardless of how many photos you have. Just keep swiping to select them all.
Does deleting photos improve the performance of my iPhone 12?
While deleting photos frees up storage space, it may not have a significant impact on performance unless your storage is almost full.
Summary
- Open the Photos app.
- Tap on ‘Select.’
- Swipe to select all photos.
- Tap on the trash can icon.
- Go to ‘Recently Deleted’ album.
- Tap on ‘Select’ and then ‘Delete All.’
Conclusion
There you have it, folks – a clear and concise guide on how to delete all photos from iPhone 12. Whether you’re looking to declutter, start anew, or prepare your device for resale, following these steps will leave you with a pristine photo library (or lack thereof). Remember to always back up any images you want to keep safe, because once they’re gone, they’re gone for good. It’s also an excellent occasion to ponder our relationship with digital content. In a world where we snap and save without a second thought, maybe it’s time to be more intentional with the memories we choose to keep. Happy deleting!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.