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How to Delete All Photos on an iPhone: The Ultimate Guide

by | Jan 12, 2023 | iPhone

If your iPhone’s storage is full or you simply want to start fresh, deleting all photos can help free up space. Whether you need to remove pictures to clear storage, protect your privacy, or just get rid of unnecessary images, knowing how to delete all photos on an iPhone properly is essential.

In this guide, I will walk you through different methods to delete all photos on an iPhone, including using the Photos app, iCloud, a Mac or PC, and third-party apps. I will also cover some important things to consider before deleting everything to avoid permanently losing important memories.

Things to Consider Before Deleting All Photos on an iPhone

Before you start deleting, there are a few things you should check to prevent accidental data loss:

1. Back Up Your iPhone Photos

If you don’t want to lose your pictures forever, consider backing them up before deleting them. Here are easy ways to do it:

  • Use iCloud: If iCloud Photos is enabled, your pictures are automatically backed up. But if you delete them from your iPhone, they will also be deleted from iCloud.
  • Use Google Photos or OneDrive: Apps like Google Photos or OneDrive can store your pictures in the cloud for free (with storage limits).
  • Transfer to a Computer: You can connect your iPhone to a Mac or Pc and transfer photos manually for safekeeping.

2. Check iCloud Photo Sync Settings

If iCloud Photos is enabled, deleting pictures from your iPhone will also remove them from all devices linked to the same Apple ID. To check this:

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Your Name at the top.
  3. Go to iCloud>Photos
  4. Check if iCloud Photos is turned on.

If it is enabled, consider downloading your photos to another device before deleting them.

How to Delete All Photos on an iPhone Using the Photos App

The Photos app is the easiest way to delete all photos on an iPhone. Here’s how you can do it step-by-step:

Step 1. Open The Photos App

Unlock your iPhone and tap on the Photos app.

Step 2. Select All Photos

  • Tap on the Library tab at the bottom.
  • Switch to the All Photos view to see all images stored on your device.
  • Tap Select in the top right corner.

Step 3. Bulk Select Photos

  • To quickly select all photos, tap the first image and drag your finger down to highlight multiple photos at once.
  • If you want to select everything faster, tap Select All (this option is only available in certain iOS versions).

Step 4. Delete Selected Photos

  • Once all photos are selected, tap the Trash Can icon at the bottom right.
  • A pop-up will ask for confirmation. Tap Delete Photos to remove them from your main gallery.

Step 5. Empty the Recently Delted Album

  • Deleted photos are not permanently removed right away. First, they go into the Recently Deleted album for 30 days. 
  • To delete them permanently:
    1. Go to Albums > Recently Deleted.
    2. Tap Select, then Delete All.
    3. Confirm deletion.

Now, all photos on your iPhone are permanently deleted.

How to Delete All Photos on an iPhone Using iCloud

If you have iCloud Photos enabled, you can delete all photos from your iPhone, and the changes will sync across all Apple devices. Here is how:

Step 1: Open iCloud on Your iPhone

  • Go to Settings> Your Name > iCloud > Photos.
  • Ensure iCloud Photos is enabled.

Step 2: Delete Photos Using iCloud on a Web Browser

  1. Open a browser on your computer and visit iCloud.com
  2. Sign in with your Apple ID.
  3. Click Photos and select All Photos.
  4. Press Command () + A (Mack) or Ctrl + A (Windows) to select everything.
  5. Click the Trash Can icon to delete them.

Step 3: Empty the Recently Deleted Folder in iCloud

  • In iCloud Photos, go to Recently Deleted.
  • Click Delete All to remove them permanently.

Now, all synced photos are deleted from iCloud and any connected Apple devices.

Using a Mac or PC to Delete All Photos on an iPhone

If you prefer deleting photos using a computer, follow these steps:

Mac (Using Finder)

  1. Connect your iPhone to the Mack Using a USB cable. 
  2. Open Finder and select your iPhone. 
  3. Click Photos in the side menu.
  4. Select all images and press Delete.

Windows PC (Using File Explorer)

  1. Connect your iPhone to the PC using a USB cable. 
  2. Open File Explorer and go to the This PC > iPhone > DCIM.
  3. Open the folder inside DCIM and select all images.
  4. Press delete on your keyboard.

This method is useful if you want to delete photos without opening the Photos app.

How to Delete All Photos on an iPhone with Third-Party Apps

Several third-party apps make it easier to bulk delete photos. Some popular options include:

  • Gemini Photos: This app helps detect and remove duplicated and blurry images. 
  • Clean My Photos: This app allows you to delete multiple photos quickly.
  • Phoneclean: This app helps remove junk files, including unnecessary photos.

The apps can be a quick alternative if the built-in methods feel slow or cumbersome.

Final Thoughts

By deleting all photos on an iPhone, you can free up space and organize your storage more efficiently. It depends on whether you use the Photos app, iCloud, a computer, or a third-party app. It is always better to back up important images before you delete all photos on an iPhone.

I hope this article helped you learn different ways to delete all photos on an iPhone.

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