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Original poster

OK, I know I'm really stupid but, I have bought extra iCloud storage ...

24 replies

StrawberryJamPlease · 14/05/2018 15:44

... but it hasn't solved my problem!

I have an iPhone 6S with 64GB storage.

I have (a lot!) of photos and videos which are taking up all the memory. So I bought more iCloud memory, and I can see that I am using 63.65GB of 200GB but I still can't update to the new operating system or run extra apps etc.

Is there a way that I can move my photos (I need them on my phone for the time being for various work projects) to iCloud without it using my actual phone storage?

Thanks for any advice.

OP posts:
lancelott · 14/05/2018 16:04

I did this - you can only have the same amount of storage in iCloud as the amount that is on your phone. It's a 'back up' of your phone, rather than a 'storage' of anything.

I found out the hard way - I uploaded all my photos to iCloud, then deleted the photos off my phone. But then my phone 'synched' with iCloud and so deleted all the photos in iCloud too. So don't do that!

I think iCloud is more to enable the syncing of photos etc across different devices (iPad etc)

All of this is my understanding of it - and that isn't great but I'm sure someone will be along to correct me if I'm wrong!

TheFlannelsAreBreeding · 14/05/2018 16:09

Following, as I want to work out how to store (not just back up) photos on iCloud. It's that or a new phone, and it seems silly to buy a new phone when this one works fine, I just need more memory.

christmaspresentaibu · 14/05/2018 16:12

You can use Google Photos to store your pictures in a 'cloud' (although not iCloud). It frees up loads of space because they're safe to delete from your phone too Smile

lancelott · 14/05/2018 16:13

@TheFlannelsAreBreeding I had the same issue and use google photos app to back up my photos. I can then safely delete them from my phone to free up space.

lancelott · 14/05/2018 16:13

Sorry cross post @christmaspresentaibu

PavlovaPrincess · 14/05/2018 16:14

iCloud is a waste of time.

To back up your photos, you need to an app like Google photos, which permanently stores your pics until you deleted them.

Original poster
StrawberryJamPlease · 14/05/2018 16:16

lancelott - argghhh. I feel for you! I am angry that it let me buy more then. But surely nobody has a 2TB phone (the maximum icloud storage they sell)? Or are you saying that if i was in a family of 8 and we all used the same iCloud, then we would possibly need that much? God I feel stupid some times Blush.

Christmas - I have uploaded to Google Photos too, but it doesn't feel as safe to me as being on my phone (luddite Blush). Is that the only way?

OP posts:
christmaspresentaibu · 14/05/2018 16:18

I was a bit wary too, but I promise it does work! I think the more you use it, the more you trust it Smile it will also automatically sort your pictures into exciting categories - who knew I took so many photos of dogs, beer and cathedrals?! Hmm Grin

FemaleDilbert · 14/05/2018 16:19

I download my photos onto a laptop, zip them up into batches and then upload them to iCloud Drive .

ladymelbourne1926 · 14/05/2018 16:20

I use the shoebox app, few quid a month and it stores everything.

FreckledLeopard · 14/05/2018 16:22

I also back up all my photos with Google Photos and it's great (and free!) - I have photos going back 12 years on the cloud.

Aragog · 14/05/2018 16:24

CAn you save some space on your device by using the Optimjse Storage option? It then saves a low res version on your phone and a high res version on iCloud. You can download the hi res version as required.

Original poster
StrawberryJamPlease · 14/05/2018 16:25

OK. Maybe I just need to take the plunge ... Is there anyway of keeping just my Favourites on my phone? (I think I know the answer but...)

OP posts:
Original poster
StrawberryJamPlease · 14/05/2018 16:25

Aragog - I already do Blush

OP posts:
christmaspresentaibu · 14/05/2018 16:28

Yes absolutely, Google will back up everything and then you can choose how much to delete from your phone.

TheFlannelsAreBreeding · 14/05/2018 17:17

Who knew I had so many photos that google labels ‘flowers’ and ‘sky’?! Thanks for the advice on google photos, I’m backing it all up now and then I may get up the courage to delete some less important ones from my phone.

DwangelaForever · 14/05/2018 17:18

If you have amazon prime, amazon photos is unlimited and free!

LightAsTheBreeze · 14/05/2018 17:34

Maybe keep the less important ones in Google or Amazon photos and keep the more important ones in iCloud on your phone

cdtaylornats · 14/05/2018 18:35

support.apple.com/en-gb/HT204264

Look at the section on the above entitled Save space on your device

Original poster
StrawberryJamPlease · 15/05/2018 14:21

OK, so Google photos. Can I then download them somewhere else (my desk top computer)?

OP posts:
christmaspresentaibu · 15/05/2018 14:55

Yes you can access them all on a computer and download them there if you'd like to

Original poster
StrawberryJamPlease · 15/05/2018 16:32

Fab, thanks. I’m about to take the plunge with a mass deletion. gulp

OP posts:
SummerLightning · 15/05/2018 16:36

Google photos doesn't store your photos at full resolution though. I use Amazon prime photos, you need Amazon prime though.

Original poster
StrawberryJamPlease · 15/05/2018 19:47

NOOOO!! Sob

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