iCloud is only compatible with Apple devices and is not available for use on other platforms, which can be limiting for users who use multiple types of devices. While some iCloud services are free, may need to pay for additional storage or for access to certain features, which can be costly.
Turn off iCloud Photos in iCloud and all of your devices
Photos and videos stored in iCloud will be deleted 30 days after you stop using the service.
iCloud Drive is perfectly passable and incredibly convenient for Mac and iPhone users in particular. But it's not the best cloud storage and file-sharing service on the market. Other applications offer more space for less money, or have more robust sharing options, or both.
When you delete a photo or video from Photos on iCloud.com, it's also deleted from all your devices that have iCloud Photos turned on. If you change your mind, you have 30 days to recover it before it's permanently deleted.
When you turn off iCloud Photos, you won't be able to create a backup of any new images you capture on your device. Besides, you lose access to the photos stored on iCloud but not caught on the device.
Part 2: Turn Off iCloud Photos without Deleting Everything
Step 1. On your iPhone, tap "Settings" > "[your name]" > "iCloud" > "Photos". Step 2. Then choose "Remove from iPhone" or "Download Photos & Videos".
You can delete photos from your iPhone but keep them in iCloud by turning off iCloud photo sharing. You can also use a different iCloud account to keep the previous account's iCloud photos safe. Another solution is to use a different cloud server, like Dropbox or OneDrive, to back up the photos.
iCloud helps you keep your most important information—like your photos, files, and backups—secure, up to date, and available across all your devices. iCloud also makes it easy to share photos, files, notes, and more with friends and family. iCloud includes a free email account and 5 GB of free storage for your data.
Open Settings from your iPhone homescreen and tap on the Apple ID with your name. On the Apple ID screen, select iCloud > Photos. Use the toggle switch for iCloud Photos to disable syncing. With the connectivity between iPhone and the iCloud disabled, you can safely delete photos from your iPhone.
On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud. Do one of the following: iOS 16, iPadOS 16, or later: Tap iCloud Backup. iOS 15, iPadOS 15, or earlier: Tap Manage Storage, then tap Backups.
Enable iCloud Photos on iPhone
Choose iCloud > Photos, then enable Sync this iPhone. You're also asked to choose between optimizing iPhone storage or downloading and keeping the originals. If your phone is low on space, choose Optimize iPhone Storage to download smaller, lower-resolution copies of your photos.
Go to Settings, then tap your name. Tap iCloud > Photos. Deselect "Sync this [Device]" to turn off iCloud Photos.
Note: Mail stored in iCloud counts toward your iCloud storage. If you run out of iCloud storage space, you won't be able to receive new messages at your iCloud Mail address until you make more storage space available.
No one else can access your end-to-end encrypted data — not even Apple — and this data remains secure even in the case of a data breach in the cloud. If you lose access to your account, only you can recover this data, using your device passcode or password, recovery contact, or recovery key.
Turn off iCloud
If you sign out of iCloud, iCloud no longer syncs your data or backs up the information on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. To keep your information safe, back up your device from your Mac or PC.
Its ease of use, reliability, and seamless integration with Apple devices have made it a valuable tool for both personal and professional use. The only downside to iCloud is its price, as it can be a bit expensive for users with large storage needs.
For anyone shooting photos with an Apple device, I highly, highly recommend using iCloud Photos to store your photos. It is designed for long-term storage! After turning on iCloud Photos, turn on "Optimize Storage" in the Settings.
Store your photos and videos in iCloud
By default, your photos and videos are stored on your device in their original, high-resolution version. This means that they use a lot of space on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Turn off iCloud
If you sign out of iCloud, iCloud no longer syncs your data or backs up the information on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. To keep your information safe, back up your device from your Mac or PC.
Experts agree that iCloud is an essential service for Apple users. Not only is it a convenient and easy way to store files, but it also keeps your data secure from cybercriminals looking to hack your iPhone or other devices.
When you charge iPhone it will automatically be backed up to iCloud Over your wifi. A simple and sure test is to log on to iCloud.com (via a browser) using the account that is suppose to have the photos. You can select the Photos icon once logged in, and easily view which photos are already in iCloud.
If you turned off iCloud Photos prior to deleting, the Photos may not have deleted from iCloud and you may need to delete manually from iCloud.com. Also make sure you check the 'Recently Deleted' folder in Photos to ensure you delete from there was well, otherwise the Photos will continue to use space.