How to turn off iCloud Photos
If you no longer want to store your photos and videos in iCloud so that they sync across your devices, you can turn off iCloud Photos for one device, or for all of your devices. To keep your photos safe, download them to your device or save a copy first.
Before you turn off iCloud Photos
Before you turn off iCloud Photos, make sure that you have all of your original photos and videos on your device. To download the original photos and videos:
On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos and select Download and Keep Originals. Keep your device plugged in to power and connected to the internet.
On your Mac, open Photos, choose Photos > Settings (or Photos > Preferences), then click iCloud and select Download Originals to this Mac. Keep your Mac plugged in to power and connected to the internet.
On your PC, learn how to download photos and videos from iCloud Photos.
You can also select the photos and videos that you want to download from iCloud.com. After your originals download, you can turn off iCloud Photos and new changes like uploads of new photos, edits, and deletions will no longer sync across your devices.
Turn off iCloud Photos on one device
Before you turn off iCloud Photos, be sure to make a copy of your photos and videos.
On your iPhone or iPad
Go to Settings, then tap your name.
Tap iCloud > Photos.
Deselect "Sync this [Device]" to turn off iCloud Photos.
On your Mac
Open the Photos app, then choose Photos > Settings or Photos > Preferences.
Click iCloud, then deselect iCloud Photos.
On your PC
Open iCloud for Windows. Make sure that you're signed in with your Apple ID.
Next to Photos, click Options.
Deselect iCloud Photos.
Click Done, then click Apply.
On your Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD
Go to Settings > Accounts > iCloud.
Under Photos, press Select to turn off iCloud Photos.
Turn off iCloud Photos in iCloud and all of your devices
Before you turn off iCloud Photos, be sure to make a copy of your photos and videos. Photos and videos stored in iCloud will be deleted 30 days after you stop using the service.
On your iPhone or iPad with iOS 16 or later
Go to Settings, then tap your name.
Tap iCloud, then tap Manage Account Storage.
Tap Photos, then tap Turn Off & Delete from iCloud.
If you change your mind, follow these steps on your device then select Undo Delete.
On your iPhone or iPad with iOS 15 or earlier
Go to Settings, then tap your name.
Tap iCloud, then tap Manage Storage.
Tap Photos, then tap Disable & Delete.
If you change your mind, follow these steps on your device then select Undo Delete.
On your Mac
Choose Apple menu > System Settings or Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Apple ID.
Choose iCloud, then click Manage.
Select Photos, then click Turn Off and Delete.
If you change your mind, follow these steps on your Mac then select Undo Delete.
