How to Upload Photos to iCloud & Optimize Photo Storage (Updated for iOS 15)

Here's how to enable and optimize iCloud Photos on your iPhone, so you can keep all your pictures safe in the cloud.

By Jim Karpen Updated 02/28/2022

* This post is part of iPhone Life's Tip of the Day newsletter. Sign Up. *

Here's how to optimize iPhone storage with iCloud. All your photos and videos can be stored in iCloud Photo Library rather than being tied to a particular device, making them available to you regardless of which device you're using and preventing their loss if something should happen to your iPhone. Any change you make to a photo or video on one device is carried over to the others. Let's get started learning how to access and back up photos to iCloud, and optimize photo storage on your iPhone.

How to Enable iCloud Photo Library & Optimize Photo Storage on iPhone

To enable iCloud Photo Library on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, you'll need to make sure your software is updated to iOS 10.1 or later. If you enable iCloud Photo Library, you can choose to store only optimized versions of your photos and videos on your iPhone or iPad. The full-resolution versions are kept in the cloud. I love the security of knowing my iCloud photos are safe even if something were to happen to my iPhone, and how my iCloud allows me to free up space on my devices. This feature can save you gigabytes of storage space on your iPhone, and any time you want, you can download the full-resolution version. For more great iCloud tutorials, check out our free Tip of the Day. To enable iCloud Photo Library and optimize photo storage on your iPhone:

Open the Settings app.
Tap your name at the top of the page.
Tap iCloud.
Tap Photos.
Toggle on iCloud Photos and, if you're connected to a Wi-Fi network, your device will immediately begin the process of uploading and storing your entire photo and video library.
If you'd like more storage space on your iPhone, tap Optimize iPhone Storage; this setting lets iCloud Photo Library automatically manage the size of the photo library on your device by storing smaller versions of your photos on device and full-size one in iCloud.
If you decide you want to have the full versions of all photos and videos on your device, simply select Download and Keep Originals.

Of course, storing your photos in iCloud may require you to pay for more iCloud storage space. The first 5 GB are free; you can upgrade to 50 GB for $0.99 per month, 200 GB for $2.99 per month, and 2 TB for $9.99 per month. You can save your old printed photos on iCloud as well! Learn how to scan your photos using just your iPhone to get started. You can also consider storing your photos and other content on an external hard drive. Finally, if you experience any photos not uploading to iCloud problems, read this troubleshooting guide.

Master your iPhone in one minute a day: Sign up here to get our FREE Tip of the Day delivered right to your inbox.

Topics

Author Details

Jim Karpen

Jim Karpen holds a Ph.D. in literature and writing, and has a love of gizmos. His doctoral dissertation focused on the revolutionary consequences of digital technologies and anticipated some of the developments taking place in the industry today. Jim has been writing about the Internet and technology since 1994 and has been using Apple's visionary products for decades.

Article Spotlight

This Free Calendar App is a Productivity Game-Changer

Apple is pretty good about updating its products, but it seems to have forgotten about the Calendar app and its many downsides. The makers of Informant 5, on the other hand, do not forget to regularly improve their app based on user experience and feedback. The latest updates to this calendar and task-management app are a productivity game-changer.

Featured Products

Learn New Apple Watch Tricks with This Free Mini Course

Did you know that you can use your Apple Watch to ping your iPhone when you can't find it? Or use it to wake up gently with customized vibrations? Unlock the mysteries of your Apple Watch and discover new tips and even secret features with our free Apple Watch Mini Course! If you sign up you can expect to get a new minute-long article every morning for 15 days that will teach you something valuable about your Apple Watch! Enroll today (no credit card necessary!)

Never Lose Anything with This Universal AirTags Case

CASEBUDi’s Tool and Asset Tracking Case can help you protect items such as tools, ladders, generators, motorbikes, and other valuables that need more than a dainty keychain AirTag case. With a discreet, low-profile design, this rugged case can help you secure an AirTag to almost anything in your garage, truck, or at your job site using screws, bolts, zip ties, etc. It is plastic with a screw-on lid closure, protecting your AirTag from the weather, water, and dirt. With CASEBUDi’s case, your AirTag can track your equipment easily with the Find My app on your Apple device.