To delete all photos from an iPhone, select the items in the Photos app, delete them, and then empty Recently Deleted if you need the storage immediately. If iCloud Photos is on, deletions sync to your other devices signed in to the same Apple Account, so make a separate backup first.
How to do it
Step 1: Check iCloud Photos and backups
Open Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud > Photos, and note whether syncing is enabled. Copy any photos you want to keep to a separate location before deleting.
Step 2: Open the photo library
Open Photos, go to the Library view, and display All Photos. The exact navigation can vary slightly with the installed iOS version.
Step 3: Select the photos
Tap Select. Drag across thumbnails to select many items quickly, scrolling as needed. iPhone does not always provide one Select All control for the entire library, so a very large library may be easier to manage in batches or through iCloud Photos on another device.
Step 4: Delete the selection
Tap the trash button and confirm. When iCloud Photos is enabled, the selected items are also deleted from synced devices.
Step 5: Empty Recently Deleted if necessary
In Photos, find Recently Deleted under Utilities, unlock it, select the items, and delete them permanently. Skip this step if you may need the recovery window.
What happens next
Deleted photos move to Recently Deleted and are normally retained for 30 days unless you remove them permanently sooner. Storage may not be released fully until that album is emptied. Permanent deletion cannot be undone through Photos.
Tips and troubleshooting
- Export or back up first; sync is not an independent backup.
- Deleting while iCloud Photos is enabled affects all synced devices.
- Deleting photos does not cancel an iCloud storage plan.
- Shared Library items may affect other participants; check the library context before deleting.
Frequently asked questions
Can I select every photo with one button?
The iPhone Photos interface may not offer Select All for the full library. Drag-select in batches or manage the library from another synced device.
Will deletion remove photos from iCloud?
Yes, when iCloud Photos is enabled, deletion syncs across the account’s devices.
How long can I recover deleted photos?
Apple normally keeps them in Recently Deleted for 30 days unless you permanently delete them sooner.
Why did storage not increase?
Items in Recently Deleted still occupy storage until permanently removed or automatically deleted.
Does turning off iCloud Photos delete only local copies?
Do not use that as a shortcut without reviewing the prompts. Download or export the originals you need and confirm your sync state first.
Summary
To delete all photos from an iPhone, select the items in the Photos app, delete them, and then empty Recently Deleted if you need the storage immediately. If iCloud Photos is on, deletions sync to your other devices signed in to the same Apple Account, so make a separate backup first.