Unofficial archive. This is a read-only, community-run archive of the Apple Support Community. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple Inc.
HarryLeitch
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

iCloud Photos being deleted daily..

My photos are deleting themselves from my iCloud account. It is now happening daily. I find them in the Recently Deleted folder. I restore them. And they are available for another day or so. Then it happens again. I have an iPhone 15 and and iPad. If they are deleted on the iPhone. They are also deleted on the iPad.. I have been to the store to ask for assistance. Suggested upgrading to latest IOS. But still happens…

Posted on Nov 5, 2026 9:33 AM

4 replies

Mac Jim ID
User level: Level 10 (105,996 points)

Nov 5, 2026 9:55 AM in response to HarryLeitch

That is most likely to happen when someone else has access to your Passcode on either device or your Apple Account password since it is apparent you are using iCloud Photos.


  • Change both Passcodes on the devices and the Password on your Apple Account and don't share with anyone.
  • Go to Settings > [name on top], and scroll to the bottom to see if you have any other devices signed into your account. Your photos can also be deleted on those devices.


I have not seen that reported where it was a bug in the OS that would be resolved with an update, but it is recommended by Apple to always use the latest software release available for your device. For you iPhone that would mean iOS 27.2.


markwmsn
User level: Level 6 (17,427 points)

Nov 5, 2026 9:26 PM in response to HarryLeitch

HarryLeitch wrote:
[...] If they are deleted on the iPhone. They are also deleted on the iPad. [...]

Yes, that is how iCloud Photos works. It is a synchronizing service to keep the libraries on your various devices the same. Add on one means add on all. Edit on one means edit on all. Delete on one means delete on all. If that is not what you want, don't link the devices to iCloud Photos with the same Apple Account.

léonie
User level: Level 10 (205,585 points)

Nov 6, 2026 8:03 AM in response to HarryLeitch

It is the purpose of iCloud Photos to keep the Photos Library identical on all your devices.

When you are using iCloud Photos, all your devices are working with the same photo library. You are having one library in iCloud, and it is mirrored on all your devices. With iCloud Photos you cannot have different photo libraries on your iPad and your iPhone.


So make a plan, which photos you want to have in iCloud and want to see on your iPhone as well as your iPad. Remove the photos you do not want on your iPhone from the iPad Photos Library Sand save them somewhere else.


Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256389319