How to remove lengthy videos from iCloud Photos on iPhone

The Photos app and iCloud Photos service have become essential photo management solutions for countless iPhone users. Since Apple launched the Photos app for iPhone in 2014, replacing the traditional Camera Roll, it has continually enhanced the app with a variety of features. Notably, in recent years, Apple has introduced advanced AI tools for effortless image and video editing.

Launched in 2011, the iCloud Photos service allows users to keep their media files synchronized across multiple devices at full resolution.

As the years have progressed, iPhone cameras have evolved significantly, with 4K video at 60FPS capable of consuming nearly half a gigabyte per minute. This can pose a challenge for users who frequently record videos.

In a recent editorial discussing features wanted in Apple products, we highlighted the absence of sorting filters in the Photos app, which can make it difficult to locate lengthy videos within your library. Many users may be unaware that large video files can quickly deplete their iCloud storage, which incurs a monthly fee.

Fortunately, Apple has recognized this issue and introduced a solution in iOS 18. To remove large video files from your iCloud Photos, follow these steps (you can use a similar process on your iPad):

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap your name at the top of the Settings menu.
3. Select iCloud > Storage > iCloud Photos.
   

   

4. Tap on the recommendation card that states, “Review Your Photos & Videos.”
5. Your iPhone will then show options for Screenshots and Videos that you can review.
   

   

6. Select Videos, and your larger videos will be displayed in descending order based on storage size.
7. You can tap on any video to play, share, or delete it. To delete multiple videos at once, tap “Select”in the top-right corner.

And that’s it! You can now easily remove unnecessary large videos from your iCloud Photos. In the background, Apple is likely analyzing your videos to suggest those that you may no longer need.

Keep in mind that this feature does not display all videos uploaded to your iCloud Photos. Similarly, you can eliminate duplicate screenshot images from your iPhone by following the same procedure and selecting “Screenshot”instead of “Videos.”

Managing Long Videos on Local iPhone Storage

You can also optimize your iPhone storage by deleting large videos that are downloaded to your device, which can include movies and TV series episodes from apps like Apple TV, Netflix, Prime Video, and others.

1. Navigate to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
2. Here, tap on the recommendation card that reads, “Review Downloaded Media.”
3. On the following screen, you’ll have the option to select and delete episodes and movies you have already watched to free up space on your iPhone.

The functionality to delete downloaded videos from your iPhone has been around for some time. While these videos can also be deleted from their respective apps, having a centralized location to manage them can save you considerable time.

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