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Photos

iCloud Photos

Most people call this your photo library synced across devices.

iCloud Photos keeps one library in sync across every device signed into your Apple Account, which means a change on one device happens everywhere.

Available

This setting is present on your iPhone.

  • We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.

Where to find it - iOS 18 and later

  1. Settings
  2. Apps
  3. Photos
  4. Sync this iPhone

What it does

Syncing is not backup. A deletion syncs. An edit syncs. Storage counts against your iCloud plan, and a full library will not fit in the free tier.

What changes

When it is on

Your library syncs everywhere and counts against iCloud storage.

When it is off

Photos stay on the device only, and you need your own backup plan.

Should you turn it on?

Good reasons to turn it on

  • One library on every device.
  • Enables Optimise iPhone Storage.
  • Photos survive losing the phone.

Good reasons to turn it off

  • A deletion propagates everywhere, so it is not a backup.
  • A real library needs a paid storage plan.
  • You may prefer photos not to leave the device.

Battery

Costs you something

Privacy

Depends how you use it

Performance

No real change

Cellular data

Costs you something

Storage

Helps

Out of the box: Offered during setup.

Can cause real problems

Where this setting used to live

Apple moves settings between releases. This is every location we have on file.

  1. iOS 18 and later

    Settings > Apps > Photos > Sync this iPhone

  2. iOS 13 to iOS 17

    Settings > Photos > iCloud Photos

Questions people actually ask

Is iCloud Photos a backup?
No. It syncs. If you delete a photo on your phone it disappears from every device.

If it is not working

  • Recently Deleted holds deletions for 30 days, which is your safety net.
  • Syncing pauses in Low Power Mode and Low Data Mode.
  • Advanced Data Protection encrypts the library end to end.

Related settings