---
id: icloud.can-i-delete-photos-from-my-mac-but-keep-them-in-icloud
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/can-i-delete-photos-from-my-mac-but-keep-them-in-icloud
category: "iCloud & iCloud Photos"
subcategory: "iCloud Photos and the Photos library"
question: "Can I delete photos from my Mac but keep them in iCloud Photos?"
alt_questions:
  - "Remove photos from Mac not iCloud"
  - "Delete local photos keep iCloud"
  - "Free Mac space without deleting iCloud photos"
  - "Delete from Photos app only on Mac"
  - "Will deleting photos on Mac delete them from iPhone?"
short_answer: "Not by deleting — with iCloud Photos on, a deletion on your Mac removes the photo everywhere. Choose Optimize Mac Storage in Photos → Settings → iCloud so originals stay in iCloud and your Mac keeps smaller versions."
tags: ["icloud photos", "delete", "optimize mac storage"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-do-i-reduce-the-space-icloud-photos-uses-on-my-mac", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/what-happens-if-i-turn-off-icloud-photos-on-my-mac"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Can I delete photos from my Mac but keep them in iCloud Photos?

Not by deleting them. With iCloud Photos on, deleting a photo in Photos on your Mac deletes it from iCloud and every device. To free space on the Mac but keep the photo everywhere, use **Optimize Mac Storage** instead.

1. Open **Photos → Settings → iCloud**.
2. Choose **Optimize Mac Storage**.
3. Photos keeps the originals in iCloud and smaller versions on your Mac, freeing space as needed.

Deleted photos go to Photos' **Recently Deleted** album for a while, so you can recover one deleted by mistake. See [reducing the space Photos uses](https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-do-i-reduce-the-space-icloud-photos-uses-on-my-mac).