Photos
Optimize iPhone Storage
Most people call this keeping small copies of photos on the phone.
Full resolution photos stay in iCloud and your iPhone keeps smaller versions, downloading the original only when you need it.
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
- Settings
- Apps
- Photos
- Optimise iPhone Storage
What it does
It requires iCloud Photos. When storage runs low the phone replaces originals with lightweight versions. Opening or editing a photo downloads the full file, which needs a connection.
What changes
When it is on
The phone keeps smaller copies and frees a great deal of space.
When it is off
Every original stays on the device, which can use most of your storage.
Should you turn it on?
Good reasons to turn it on
- Frees an enormous amount of space.
- Originals are safe in iCloud.
Good reasons to turn it off
- Editing or sharing needs a connection to fetch the original.
- Not suitable if iCloud is your only copy and you want a local one too.
Battery
No real change
Privacy
No real change
Performance
No real change
Cellular data
Costs you something
Storage
Helps
Out of the box: Prompted when storage runs low.
Worth reading first
Where this setting used to live
Apple moves settings between releases. This is every location we have on file.
-
iOS 18 and later
Settings > Apps > Photos > Optimise iPhone Storage
-
iOS 13 to iOS 17
Settings > Photos > Optimise iPhone Storage
Questions people actually ask
- Are my photos deleted if I turn this on?
- No. Full resolution files stay in iCloud. The phone keeps smaller copies to save space.
- Is iCloud Photos a backup?
- No. It syncs. Deleting a photo on one device deletes it everywhere.
If it is not working
- This is not a backup. iCloud Photos syncs, so a deletion syncs too.
- Low Data Mode and Low Power Mode both pause downloads.
- Download and Keep Originals is the opposite choice on the same screen.