Deleting pictures on your iPhone running iOS 17 is straightforward: just tap on the Photos app, select the picture(s) you want to remove, and hit the trash icon. Afterward, the photos will be moved to the Recently Deleted album for 30 days before being permanently erased, giving you a safety net in case you change your mind.
After you delete the pictures, you’ll notice more storage space on your device and a tidier photo collection. But keep in mind that once the 30-day grace period expires, you can’t recover the deleted photos.
You can also check out this video about how to delete pictures on iPhone for more info.
Introduction
Are you someone who loves taking photos with your iPhone but often finds yourself running out of storage space? Or maybe you’re just looking to declutter your photo library and keep only the best shots. Whatever your reason, knowing how to delete pictures on your iPhone is a valuable skill to have. With the release of iOS 17, Apple has made it easier than ever to manage your photos and keep your storage optimized.
Whether you’re a tech-savvy individual or someone who’s just getting the hang of using a smartphone, this article is for you. We’ll cover the ins and outs of deleting pictures on an iPhone, ensuring you have all the information you need to keep your photo library clean and organized.
Related: iOS 17: How to Hide Photos on iPhone – A Step-by-Step Guide
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Delete Pictures on iPhone
Before we dive into the step-by-step process, let’s understand what we’re aiming to achieve. Deleting pictures on your iPhone helps free up valuable storage space and declutters your photo library, making it easier to navigate and find the pictures you want to keep.
Step 1: Open the Photos App
First, navigate to the Photos app on your iPhone’s home screen and tap to open it.
The Photos app is where all your pictures and videos are stored. Once you open it, you’ll see different albums and categories where your media is organized.
Step 2: Select the Picture(s) to Delete
In the Photos app, browse to the picture(s) you want to delete. You can do this by scrolling through your library or by going into specific albums.
When you find the picture(s) you want to remove, tap the ‘Select’ button in the top right corner, then tap on each photo you wish to delete. Selected pictures will have a blue checkmark.
Step 3: Tap the Trash Icon
With the pictures selected, tap the trash icon—usually located in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Tapping the trash icon will move the selected pictures to the Recently Deleted album, where they’ll stay for 30 days in case you need to recover them.
Step 4: Confirm Deletion
After tapping the trash icon, a confirmation message will appear. Confirm that you want to delete the selected picture(s) by tapping ‘Delete Photo’ or ‘Delete [number] Photos’.
This step is important as it prevents accidental deletion of pictures. Make sure you’re certain about your decision before confirming.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Frees Up Storage | Deleting pictures can significantly free up space on your iPhone, allowing you to store more apps, music, and other media. |
| Organizes Library | Removing unwanted photos helps to keep your photo library organized, making it easier to navigate and find the pictures you treasure. |
| Improves Performance | A decluttered photo library can also improve your iPhone’s overall performance, reducing lag and making the device more efficient. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Permanent Deletion | After 30 days in the Recently Deleted album, pictures are permanently erased and cannot be recovered. |
| Accidental Deletion | It’s possible to accidentally delete important pictures if you’re not careful. |
| Time-Consuming | If you have a lot of pictures to delete, the process can be time-consuming, especially if you’re doing it one by one. |
Video About Deleting Photos
Additional Information
When talking about iOS 17 how to delete pictures on iPhone, it’s worth mentioning some additional tips to enhance your photo managing experience. For instance, if you have a large number of photos to delete, you might want to consider using the ‘Select All’ option within an album. This can save you time instead of tapping each photo individually. However, be cautious with this method to avoid deleting pictures you want to keep.
Additionally, if you’re concerned about permanently losing your photos, you can back them up to iCloud or another cloud service before deleting them from your device. That way, you’ll have a copy stored safely in the cloud. Remember to regularly clean out your Recently Deleted album as well, as this can also take up unnecessary storage space if left unchecked.
Summary
- Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
- Select the picture(s) you wish to delete.
- Tap the trash icon to move the photos to the Recently Deleted album.
- Confirm the deletion of the selected picture(s).
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I accidentally delete a photo?
If you’ve accidentally deleted a photo, you can recover it from the Recently Deleted album within 30 days of deletion.
Can I delete multiple photos at once?
Yes, you can select multiple photos and delete them in one go to save time.
Is there a way to permanently delete photos without waiting 30 days?
Yes, you can go to the Recently Deleted album and manually delete the photos from there to immediately free up space.
How can I avoid accidentally deleting important photos?
Always double-check the photos you’ve selected for deletion and consider creating a backup before removing them from your device.
Can I recover photos after the 30-day period in the Recently Deleted album?
Once the 30-day period has passed, the photos are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered through the iPhone.
Conclusion
Understanding iOS 17 how to delete pictures on iPhone is essential for anyone looking to manage their device’s storage and keep their photo library neat. While the process is user-friendly and straightforward, always remember to double-check the pictures you’re deleting and consider backing up your most cherished memories.
Deleting photos not only frees up space but also helps in maintaining an organized and efficient photo library. So go ahead, give your iPhone’s photo collection the attention it deserves, and enjoy a smoother and clutter-free experience.
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.