Device memory or iCloud storage - photos taken on my iPhone

[Khizer Hayat2]

Whatever photos I take do they use device memory of the are saved on iCloud. Secondly what is photo library and is it a good idea to sync photos and videos with iCloud as I am thinking of saving more space on iCloud storage.

 

[RogMoore]

I prefer both, so as to get more safety.

 

[Khizer Hayat2]

Do my photos are taking up space both on my device and iCloud?

 

[Rob Phillips]

Do my photos are taking up space both on my device and iCloud?

They are taking up space on both devices. If you go to Settings > iCloud > Photos and select Optimize iPhone Storage it will store full resolution photos in iCloud and lower resolution photos on your device, which should help free up some local storage. When you open photos, a full res version will download temporarily to your device so you have easy access to the best quality version.
If you're looking to store your photos remotely without using up device storage I recommend a cloud solution like Dropbox or OneDrive.

 

[Ledsteplin]

And iCloud back up is different from iCloud Photo Library. Back up only backs up what is currently on your device. It's not storage. iCloud Photo Library is more like storage. Kinda like Dropbox.

 

[Khizer Hayat2]

Thank you DevolishBanker what do you prefer should I keep iCloud storage for backups, emails, contacts and other items to be synced? And keep my photos on Dropbox as I am already using it and can I delete photos from my device after they are uploaded to Dropbox? By the way can I access my Dropbox photos later even where I have no coverage/ signals?

 

[Khizer Hayat2]

Thanks Ledsteplin do u think iCloud Photo Library is something like Carousel (Dropbox app)?

 

[Rob Phillips]

Thank you DevolishBanker what do you prefer should I keep iCloud storage for backups, emails, contacts and other items to be synced? And keep my photos on Dropbox as I am already using it and can I delete photos from my device after they are uploaded to Dropbox? By the way can I access my Dropbox photos later even where I have no coverage/ signals?

It's ultimately your decision. I pay a couple dollars a month for a premium iCloud storage plan and have a 128GB iPhone 6s Plus so I'm not particularly worried about running out of space. If I were concerned I would use Dropbox because it integrates well into iOS. If you are in an area with no data service and no access to wifi you would need to have the photos stored locally on your device in order to access them.

 

[robertk328]

Thank you DevolishBanker what do you prefer should I keep iCloud storage for backups, emails, contacts and other items to be synced? And keep my photos on Dropbox as I am already using it and can I delete photos from my device after they are uploaded to Dropbox? By the way can I access my Dropbox photos later even where I have no coverage/ signals?

I prefer the integration with the phone through iCloud Photo Library, though I do have photos backed up to Dropbox via their app. With iCloud, they're all in one spot, vs being in two spots if you use Dropbox instead.

I'd still leave iCloud turned on for everything else if you do choose to disable the photo part. That will make switching devices easier.

 

[Khizer Hayat2]

Thank you again for your reply and what I understand I should use iCloud for storage, backups and syncing?

 

[Ledsteplin]

Thank you again for your reply and what I understand I should use iCloud for storage, backups and syncing?

If you use iCloud for storage of photos and videos, you will run out of storage space real fast. Then you will need to buy more space. You get 5 gb free. I use that for backing up my phone. But I store photos and videos in cloud based apps like Box, Dropbox and OneDrive. I prefer not to use iCloud Photo Library. But that's me. Optimally, do both of everything. Back up the phone to iCloud and iTunes. Also store photos on iCloud Photo Library and also use cloud based apps. It's just extra protection. However you decide is fine. But do it. LOL you never know what might happen.

 

[robertk328]

The pricing for extra tiers of iCloud is not much. I use the $0.99/mo while my wife uses the $2.99. I think I can get her down to the $0.99, just need to look.

That includes photos and backup for both of us.

Here is the pricing:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201238

 

[Khizer Hayat2]

Thank u robertk328 for your help

 

[robertk328]

Thank u robertk328 for your help

You're welcome!

 

[Khizer Hayat2]

Hey how can you tell me how do I automatically upload photos only to Dropbox as I don't want to upload videos

 

[robertk328]

Hey how can you tell me how do I automatically upload photos only to Dropbox as I don't want to upload videos

Go to Dropbox app and go to Settings -> Camera Upload

Enable it there, and make sure to enable Background Uploading

 

[Khizer Hayat2]

Thank u again for the reply but I don't want to upload camera videos to my Dropbox

 

[robertk328]

Thank u again for the reply but I don't want to upload camera videos to my Dropbox

It will do all of them - you'd need to find an alternative, or delete them when they upload. If it's for data reasons, you can limit to wifi (assuming you don't have wifi caps)