Deleting pictures on Mac is a straightforward process that can help you free up valuable storage space. Whether you want to remove duplicate images, clear out old photos, or simply organize your photo library, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to delete pictures on Mac.
Step 1: Open the Photos app on your Mac. You can find it in the Applications folder or by using Spotlight search.
Step 2: Once the Photos app is open, navigate to the specific album or library that contains the pictures you want to delete. You can use the sidebar on the left-hand side of the app to switch between different albums and libraries.
Tip: If you want to delete multiple pictures at once, hold down the Command key on your keyboard while selecting each image. This will allow you to select multiple photos simultaneously.
Step 3: With one or more photos selected, go to the top menu and click on “Edit.”
Step 4: In Edit mode, you’ll see various editing options at the top of the Photos app window. However, we’re interested in deleting pictures right now. To delete selected photos, click on “Delete [number] Photos” button located at the top-right corner of the window.
Note: Alternatively, you can press the Delete key on your keyboard after selecting one or more pictures.
Troubleshooting Tip: If you don’t see a “Delete” option in Edit mode, make sure that you have selected at least one photo and are not currently viewing a smart album or iCloud Photo Library.
Step 5: After confirming deletion by clicking “Delete Photos” in the pop-up window that appears, macOS will move these pictures to your Recently Deleted album (located under Albums > Other Albums). By default, pictures remain in the Recently Deleted album for 30 days before being permanently deleted.
Step 6: If you want to permanently delete pictures immediately, go to the Recently Deleted album, select the pictures you want to remove permanently, then click on “Delete [number] Items” at the top-right corner of the window. Confirm your action in the pop-up window.
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Delete Pictures from Trash:
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Delete Pictures from External Drives:
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Emptying Your Recently Deleted Album:
If you have already emptied your Trash and later realized that you wanted to restore some deleted pictures, there’s still hope. You can use a data recovery software like Disk Drill or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to recover deleted photos. However, keep in mind that these tools may not be able to recover all files or may require payment for full functionality.
If you have pictures stored on external drives or connected devices like SD cards or USB flash drives, follow similar steps within the Photos app to delete them. Make sure that the external drive is connected and recognized by your Mac before attempting deletion.
To free up space on your Mac and completely remove all pictures from the Recently Deleted album before 30 days, open Photos, go to Albums > Other Albums > Recently Deleted. Then click on “Delete All” located at the top-right corner of the window and confirm deletion in the pop-up window.
Remember, deleting pictures is a permanent action unless they are first moved to the Recently Deleted album. Therefore, it’s essential to double-check your selection before confirming deletion. Regularly removing unwanted or duplicate photos can help you keep your photo library organized and make it easier to find your favorite memories quickly.