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.

Learn how to download your original photos and videos

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 download your original photos and videos.

On your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro

  1. Go to Settings, then tap your name.

  2. Tap iCloud > Photos.

  3. Deselect "Sync this [Device]" to turn off iCloud Photos.

On your Mac

  1. Go to Settings, then tap your name.

  2. Click iCloud, then click Photos.

  3. Deselect "Sync this Mac" to turn off iCloud Photos.

On your PC

  1. Open iCloud for Windows. Make sure that you're signed in to your Apple Account.

  2. Next to Photos, click Options.

  3. Deselect iCloud Photos.

  4. Click Done, then click Apply.

On your Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD

  1. Go to Settings > Accounts > iCloud.

  2. 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.

On your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro

  1. Go to Settings, then tap your name.

  2. Tap iCloud, then tap Storage. In iOS 17 or earlier, tap Manage Account Storage.

  3. Tap iCloud Photos.

  4. Tap Turn Off & Delete Photos. In iOS 17 or earlier, tap Turn Off & Delete from iCloud. Photos and videos stored in iCloud will be deleted 30 days after you stop using the service.

If you change your mind, follow these steps on your device then select Undo Delete.

On your Mac

  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Settings.

  2. Click Apple Account. In macOS Sonoma or earlier, click Apple ID.

  3. Choose iCloud, then click Manage.

  4. Select iCloud Photos, then click Turn Off and Delete from iCloud. In macOS Sonoma or earlier, select Photos, then click Turn Off and Delete. Photos and videos stored in iCloud will be deleted 30 days after you stop using the service.

If you change your mind, follow these steps on your Mac then select Undo Delete.

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