As a Mac user, you know how valuable your photos are. You probably use the Apple Photos app to organize, edit, and share your pictures with friends and family. However, with the limited storage capacity of the Mac, you might need to delete some old photos to free up space. But, if you are syncing your photos with iCloud, you will have to be careful how you delete them. In this article, we’ll discuss how to delete photos from your Mac but not iCloud, and provide you with some code examples to make this task easier.
Why delete photos from your Mac?
There are several reasons why you may want to delete photos from your Mac. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Free up storage space – If you have limited storage on your Mac, you may need to delete some photos to create more space for new files.
- Keep your Mac running smoothly – The more files you have on your Mac, the slower it will run. By deleting photos that you no longer need, you can help your Mac run more smoothly.
- Backup your photos – If you are using iCloud, you may want to keep your older photos on your Mac as a backup in case anything goes wrong with your iCloud account.
Regardless of why you want to delete your photos, it is essential to know how to accomplish this task without accidentally deleting them from iCloud.
How to delete photos from your Mac but not iCloud
To delete photos from your Mac but not iCloud, you need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Open the Photos app on your Mac.
Step 2: Select the photos you want to delete by clicking on them.
Step 3: Once you have selected the photos, press the Command + Delete shortcut key combination. Alternatively, you can click on the ‘File’ menu in the top left-hand corner of the screen and select ‘Move to Trash’.
Step 4: When prompted to ask whether you want to delete the selected photos from iCloud, click on ‘Remove from this Mac only’.
By selecting ‘Remove from this Mac only’, you can delete the photos from your Mac but keep them safely stored in iCloud.
Code examples for deleting photos from your Mac
If you have a lot of photos to delete from your Mac, it can be tedious to delete them one at a time. Fortunately, Mac users can use a simple terminal command to delete multiple photos from their Mac at once. Here are some code examples that you can use to accomplish this task.
To delete all photos in a specific folder, enter the following command in Terminal:
$ rm -rf /path/to/folder
Replace ‘/path/to/folder’ with the path to the folder containing the photos you want to delete.
If you want to delete all photos in your Photos library, enter the following command in Terminal:
$ rm -rf ~/Pictures/Photos\ Library.photoslibrary/Masters/*
This command will delete all photos in your Photos library’s Masters folder, which is where your original photos are stored.
Conclusion
Deleting photos from your Mac doesn’t have to be difficult. By following the four simple steps outlined in this article, you can easily delete photos from your Mac without accidentally deleting them from iCloud. Additionally, with the code examples provided, you can make the task of deleting multiple photos much easier and faster. Always keep in mind that by deleting photos from your Mac, you can free up storage space, keep your Mac running smoothly, and backup your photos.
Deleting photos from your Mac but not iCloud can be a tricky task. However, if you follow the steps carefully, you can easily keep your photos safe while freeing up space on your Mac. It’s always a good idea to keep a backup of your photos, and if you’re using iCloud, that should be your primary backup. That said, it’s still essential to have a backup on your Mac as well.
In addition to the code examples we provided, there are other ways to make deleting photos from your Mac easier. For instance, you can use third-party apps like Gemini or CleanMyMac X to help you find and delete duplicate or unused photos.
Another helpful tip is to use the ‘Optimize Mac Storage’ feature in the iCloud settings on your Mac. It automatically manages your storage by keeping optimized versions of all photos and videos in iCloud while keeping the original high-resolution versions on your Mac. This feature can help you keep your Mac storage under control while still preserving your photos.
Finally, it’s important to note that accidentally deleting photos from iCloud can be a disaster. If you accidentally delete a photo from iCloud, it will be deleted from all your devices that are signed in to your iCloud account. That’s why it’s essential to always choose ‘Remove from this Mac only’ when deleting photos from your Mac.
In conclusion, deleting photos from your Mac but not iCloud is a straightforward process. Follow the instructions we provided, and you’ll be able to keep your photos safe while clearing up space on your Mac. Remember to always keep a backup of your photos and use features like ‘Optimize Mac Storage’ to manage your storage. And if you’re dealing with a large number of photos, consider using third-party apps to make the process easier.
Popular questions
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Why is it important to delete photos from Mac?
It is important to delete photos from Mac to free up storage space, optimize Mac performance, and keep a backup of photos. -
Can accidental deletion of photos from iCloud be reversed?
If you have recently deleted the photos from iCloud, you can restore them from the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder. If the photos have been permanently deleted from iCloud, however, they cannot be restored. -
Is it recommended to have a backup of photos on Mac in addition to iCloud?
Yes, it is recommended to have a backup of photos on your Mac in addition to iCloud. Having a local backup will ensure that you always have access to your photos, even if your iCloud account becomes inaccessible. -
How can third-party apps like Gemini or CleanMyMac X help with deleting photos from Mac?
Third-party apps like Gemini or CleanMyMac X can help automate the process of deleting photos from Mac. They can identify duplicate or unused photos, and easily delete them to free up space on your Mac. -
What should you do if you accidentally select ‘Delete from all devices’ option while deleting photos from Mac?
If you accidentally select ‘Delete from all devices’ while deleting photos from Mac, the photos will be permanently deleted from all your devices. Unfortunately, there is no way to undo this action. Therefore, it is important to always choose ‘Remove from this Mac only’ option when deleting photos from Mac.
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