How to Mass Delete Multiple Photos at Once on iPhone

The need to deal with too many photos on your iPhone is a common issue. Many of us need to regularly delete photos to save space but find the process not so straightforward. This article is your go-to guide for easy photo deletion on your iPhone. From basic methods using the Photos app to helpful third-party apps and common problem fixes, we’ve covered all you need to keep your photo library in check.

Standard Method to Delete Multiple Pictures

Deleting multiple photos from your iPhone doesn’t have to be a tedious process. By using the built-in Photos app, you can quickly free up space and keep your photo library organized.

  1. Start by opening the Photos app on your iPhone. This app is where all magic will happen.open the Photos app
  2. Once in the app, tap ‘Select’ in the top right corner. Now, you can choose multiple photos you wish to delete. For a faster selection, drag your finger across the photos you want to remove. This is particularly useful for selecting multiple photos to delete in a continuous sequence.select photos to delete
  3. After selecting the photos, tap the trash can icon in the bottom right corner. Confirm your action, and the selected photos will move to the ‘Recently Deleted’ album, where they stay for 30 days before permanent deletion. This gives you a chance to recover any photos deleted by mistake.confirm deletion

While the standard method with the Photos app is straightforward, there are alternative approaches to consider for different needs and preferences. In the next section, we will explore these alternative methods, offering more options for efficiently managing your photo library on the iPhone.

Alternative Methods to Delete Multiple Photos on iPhone

Moving beyond the basic functionality of the Photos app, this section introduces several other techniques for deleting photos from your iPhone. These methods cater to various user needs, from simplicity to advanced organizational tools.

Method 1: Use Third-Party Apps

Several apps available on the App Store can significantly improve the process of deleting photos. These apps often provide a more nuanced set of tools, like sorting options or blurry photo detection, which are not present in the native Photos app. When selecting an app, prioritize those with intuitive interfaces and robust features, but we’d start from these two:

  • Clean My Photos: This app offers a straightforward interface for iPhone users, focusing on cleaning up unnecessary files like duplicate photos, videos, and contacts. It features a full scan option to identify files occupying valuable storage space. Additionally, it provides tips for improving iPhone battery life and includes a Private Vault for securing personal data. The app is available for free.Clean My Photos
  • Smart Cleaner: Designed for both iPhone and iPad, Smart Cleaner simplifies photo and contact management. It allows for quick removal of duplicate content, screenshots, and provides manual cleaning options for more control. The app’s interface is user-friendly and helps users analyze their phone’s storage to identify deletable items. It also offers a secret space to store private media and contacts. The app is free with a premium subscription option starting at $4.99.Smart Cleaner
It’s important to be aware that developers frequently modify the names of their applications to enhance App Store Optimization (ASO). Consequently, the names of these apps may have undergone changes over time.

Method 2: Connect iPhone to a Computer for Photo Deletion

Linking your iPhone to a computer offers an alternative way to manage your photo library. This can be particularly helpful for organizing and deleting large numbers of photos.

  • On a Mac, you can use the Photos app or Image Capture for a more detailed view of your photos.Use Image Capture
  • Windows users can use the Photos app or File Explorer to access and delete iPhone photos.iphone photos in Windows Explorer

Method 3: Utilize iCloud Photo Library for Deletion

Using iCloud Photo Library allows to manage your photo collection through iCloud, offering a way to delete photos across all synced devices.

  • Simply log in to iCloud.com
  • Navigate to the Photos section, and manage your photos from any browser.Utilize iCloud Photo Library for Deletion

Now that you explored various methods for deleting photos, it’s also important to address potential challenges. In the next section, we’ll focus on providing solutions for common problems you might encounter while cleaning your iPhone photo library.

Troubleshooting Common Photo Deletion Issues

When trying to clear your iPhone’s photo library you sometimes may encounter unexpected issues. This section provides solutions to some common problems encountered when trying to delete photos.

Issue 1: Photos Not Deleting

Occasionally, you might find that photos don’t delete immediately or reappear after deletion.

  • Ensure iCloud Photo Library is enabled, as deleted photos need to be removed from iCloud to disappear from all synced devices.
  • Verify you have a stable internet connection, especially if your photos are synchronized with iCloud.

Issue 2: ‘Recently Deleted’ Album Not Clearing

Photos in the ‘Recently Deleted’ album should automatically disappear after 30 days, but sometimes they linger.

  • Attempt manual deletion from the ‘Recently Deleted’ album.
  • If that fails, restart your iPhone and try again.

Issue 3: Photo Storage Not Freeing Up After Deletion

Deleting photos may not immediately free up storage space.

  • This could be due to iCloud storage syncing or the device needing time to update its storage information.
  • Review your iCloud settings and allow some time for your device to refresh its storage data.

Issue 4: Difficulty Selecting Multiple Photos

Selecting a large number of photos for deletion can be cumbersome.

  • Use the drag-and-select feature in the Photos app for bulk selection.
  • Third-party apps like Smart Cleaner or Clean My Photos can offer easier selection and bulk deletion capabilities.

For additional support, Apple’s official support page provides detailed guidance on your iPhone’s photo library. Visit Apple Support for further assistance.

Conclusion

Cleaning your iPhone’s photo library can be simplified with the right approach. Whether you prefer the standard Photos app, the additional features of third-party apps like Clean My Photos and Smart Cleaner, or using your computer for bulk management, these methods bring simplicity to deleting your photos. Additionally, knowing how to handle common deletion issues is crucial. We hope that with these strategies, you’re now better prepared to keep your photo collection well-organized, to ensure a more enjoyable experience with your iPhone.

FAQ

To immediately and permanently delete photos, first delete them from your usual album, and then go to the ‘Recently Deleted’ album in the Photos app. Here, you can select and delete them permanently. This bypasses the standard 30-day waiting period.
Once photos are permanently deleted from the ‘Recently Deleted’ album, they cannot be recovered through the iPhone. However, if you’ve backed up your iPhone before deleting the photos, you may restore them from the backup. Alternatively, some third-party recovery tools claim to retrieve deleted photos, but their effectiveness can vary.
You can change this in the Settings app. Go to Settings > Camera, and turn off the option “Keep Normal Photo.” This will stop your iPhone from saving both the normal and HDR versions of a photo.
Photos deleted from your iPhone will still be in the iCloud if you’re using iCloud Photos, as it syncs your photos across all devices. To remove them completely, you need to delete them from the Photos app and also from the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder in iCloud.
Yurii Kulynych
Yurii Kulynych is a skilled professional who continues to work in Quality Assurance (QA) for InsanelyMac while also starting to write articles. He has a strong eye for detail and extensive experience in ensuring content quality, especially in areas like data recovery, understanding macOS/iOS, and storage solutions for Apple devices. Yurii excels in writing easy-to-follow guides and putting together helpful toolkits.
Scroll to top