How to stop iCloud Photos syncing to other devices
On the iPhone, go to Settings, your name, iCloud, Photos and turn off "Sync this iPhone". Download your originals first. Apple says changes such as new uploads, edits and deletions then stop syncing between this iPhone and your other devices. Photos already in iCloud stay there unless you separately choose to delete them.
Steps for one iPhone
- Make sure you have enough storage, and download your original photos and videos first.
- Open Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud, then tap Photos.
- Turn off "Sync this iPhone".
- Choose Download Photos & Videos to keep a copy on the phone, or Remove from iPhone to delete them from the phone without keeping a copy.
Apple warns that without a local copy, the photos left on the device are optimised versions, not the original resolution.
Turning iCloud Photos off everywhere is different
Apple documents a second option that affects all devices: Settings, your name, iCloud, Storage, iCloud Photos, then Turn Off and Delete Photos (on iOS 17 or earlier the wording is "Turn Off & Delete from iCloud"). Photos and videos in iCloud are deleted 30 days after, and until then you can select Undo Delete. If you own a Shared Photo Library, Apple says to delete it before continuing. Do not use this to "stop syncing" unless you mean to delete the iCloud copy.
What this does not cover
Turning sync off on one phone does not remove photos already uploaded, and it does not stop other devices still on iCloud Photos from syncing with each other. Hidden photos follow the same rules as other photos. Before you switch anything off, check that your photos are stored somewhere else.
| Action | Effect |
|---|---|
| Turn off "Sync this iPhone" | Stops syncing between this iPhone and your other devices |
| Download Photos & Videos | Keeps originals on this iPhone |
| Remove from iPhone | Deletes the photos from the phone without a local copy |
| Turn Off and Delete Photos | Removes the iCloud copy after 30 days, reversible until then |
See are hidden photos saved to iCloud, is the Hidden album secure, the answer do hidden photos sync to iCloud and Hidden album or vault app.
Related reading
- What StrongRoom does not protect against
- Are hidden photos saved to iCloud
- Is the Hidden album secure
- Do hidden photos sync to iCloud
- Hidden album or vault app
Frequently asked questions
Will turning off sync delete my photos?
Not if you choose Download Photos & Videos first. Apple says Remove from iPhone deletes them from the phone without keeping a copy.
Does it delete my iCloud photos?
No. That is the separate Turn Off and Delete Photos option, which Apple says deletes iCloud photos after 30 days.
Will hidden photos stay hidden elsewhere?
Apple says hidden status follows iCloud Photos, so once sync is off here, new changes stop crossing.
Sources
- How to turn off iCloud Photos (Apple Support), checked on 2026-10-30.
- Hide photos on your iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Vision Pro with the Hidden album (Apple Support), checked on 2026-10-30.