Why Can't I Delete Photos on My iPhone? Fixed in 6 Effective Ways

When using an iPhone, you might encounter situations where you can't delete photos, especially when you want to free up storage space or organize your albums. This issue can be quite frustrating. Why can't I delete photos on my iPhone? How to solve the problem? You've come to the right place! This article will explain the reasons why you can't delete photos from iPhone and provide several solutions.

Part 1. Why Can't I Delete Photos on My iPhone?

Why can't I delete photos from my iPhone? Here are some possible reasons:

• iCloud Photo Syncing: When you enable the "iCloud Photos" feature, your iPhone photos are stored both on your device and in iCloud. To regain the ability to delete photos, you'll need to disable this feature first.
• Photos Synced via iTunes: Photos synced to your iPhone through iTunes usually cannot be deleted directly from the device. You need to adjust the sync settings in the iTunes software on your computer to remove them.
• File Corruption or System Malfunction: In some cases, file corruption or a system malfunction may also prevent you from deleting photos.
• Insufficient Storage Space: When your iPhone's storage is nearly full, it may affect the device's normal functioning, which can impact your ability to delete photos.
• Software Glitches: Occasionally, minor software glitches can disrupt your iPhone's normal functions, including the ability to delete photos.
• Read-Only Mode: If the photos are in read-only mode, you are unable to delete photos from iPhone.

Part 2. How to Fix Unable to Delete iPhone Photos

Why won't my iPhone delete photos? After we know the possible reasons, here are some specific solutions to help you fix this issue. You can try each option in sequence to find the most suitable solution.

Fix 1. Restart the iPhone

Restarting the device is one of the simplest and most effective solutions, especially when the system encounters minor glitches. A reboot helps refresh the system state and can resolve temporary issues, including can't delete photos from iPhone.

To restart your iPhone, follow the steps below:

For iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, or later:

• Press and hold the "Volume" button and the "Side" button until the power-off slider appears.
• Drag the slider to turn off your device, then wait about 30 seconds.
• To turn it back on, press and hold the "Side" button until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone 6, 7, 8, or SE (2nd or 3rd generation):

• Press and hold the "Side" button until the power-off slider appears.
• Drag the slider to turn off your device, then wait about 30 seconds.
• To power it back on, press and hold the "Side" button until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone SE (1st generation), 5, or earlier:

• Press and hold the "Top" button until the power-off slider appears.
• Drag the slider to turn off your device, then wait about 30 seconds.
• To turn it back on, press and hold the "Top" button until the Apple logo appears.

Fix 2. Disable iCloud Photos

Why won't my iPhone delete photos? One reason could be that you have enabled iCloud Photos. The iCloud Photos feature automatically uploads your photos to iCloud and keeps them synchronized across devices, which may prevent you from directly deleting those photos from your iPhone. In this case, you might consider temporarily disabling iCloud Photos syncing.

Here is how to do it:

Step 1. Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone.

Step 2. Tap the "Apple ID" option at the top to access iCloud settings.

Step 3. Select "Photos" and then turn off the "iCloud Photos" switch. (What happens when you turn off iCloud Photos?)

Step 4. Return to the "Photos" app and try deleting the photos that were previously undeletable.

Fix 3. Sync iPhone to iTunes

Why can't I delete pictures from my iPhone? Another reason could be that the photos were synced to the device via iTunes. You need to adjust the sync settings in iTunes to remove those photos.

Here are the steps:

Step 1. Open iTunes and connect your iPhone or iPad.

Step 2. Click on the device icon, select the "Photos" option, and then click on "Sync Photos".

Step 3. Uncheck the photos you want to delete, then click "Apply" or "Sync".

Fix 4. Check iPhone Storage

Why won't my photos delete from my iPhone? The issue may lie with your iPhone's storage. When the iPhone's storage is nearly full, the device may experience management issues, including can't delete photos from iPhone. Checking and clearing storage space can help ensure smooth system performance.

To do it, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Open the "Settings" app and go to "General".

Step 2. Tap on "iPhone Storage" to view the device's storage usage.

Step 3. Based on the storage details, clear out unnecessary apps, videos, or other files that take up a lot of space.

Step 4. Once you've freed up enough storage, return to the "Photos" app and try deleting the target photos again.

Fix 5. Update the iPhone

Why aren't my photos deleting. The last possible reason is the outdated software. Keeping your iPhone's operating system updated is essential for optimal performance and addressing various issues. Outdated software can cause conflicts and glitches, which may result in unable to delete iPhone photos.

To update your iPhone, follow these steps:

Step 1. Open the "Settings" app and tap on "General".

Step 2. Select "Software Update" to check for new iOS versions.

Step 3. If an update is available, click "Download and Install" and follow the prompts to complete the system update.

Step 4. Once the update is finished, go to the "Photos" app and check if you can delete photos normally.

Fix 6. Use Coolmuster iOS Assistant to Delete iPhone Photos [Most Effective]

If you've tried all the methods above and still can't delete photos from your iPhone, you might want to try using Coolmuster iOS Assistant to remove them. It's a professional iOS data management tool that helps users conveniently manage iPhone data on their computer, including photos. With it, you can easily delete photos from your iPhone in bulk.

Key features of Coolmuster iOS Assistant:

• Delete and manage the iPhone photos on the computer.
• Easily back up and restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod.
• Transfer files effortlessly between your iOS device and computer.
• Easily edit, add, or delete data stored on your iOS device directly from your PC or Mac.
• Support contacts, messages, photos, music, videos, voice memos, calendars, notes, and more.
• Work on most iPhone models and iOS versions, including iPhone 16/15/14/13/12/11 series, and iOS 18, and more.

Free Download for PC

 

Free Download for Mac

Here is how to use iOS Assistant to delete photos from your iPhone:

Video Tutorial:

The Bottom Line

Why can't I delete photos on my iPhone? Now you know the possible reasons and some effective solutions. You can try the above methods step by step. If you want a more convenient way to manage and delete iPhone photos, we recommend using Coolmuster iOS Assistant. This tool not only allows you to delete photos but also supports managing contacts, messages, and other data. With its powerful features and user-friendly interface, it's an ideal choice for iPhone users.

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