Should I Optimize Photos iPhone Has? 7 Pros and Cons

Even though iPhones come with enough storage space, there comes a time your device may get out of space. There is a possibility that you have to encounter an error “out of storage” regularly. 

That’s a reason why it is advised to optimize the iPhone storage, including photos better. But, sometimes, it also comes with certain downsides. So, if you wonder, “should I optimize photos iPhone has”, read the article to learn more.

Pros

Optimize Storage is a feature added to the iCloud Photo Library of Apple. This feature helps to replace full-resolution images with device-size formats. It stores local photos at low resolution.

Optimizing photos on iCloud provides several benefits. For example, if your device is stolen, you can recover your photos from iCloud. Other plus points associated with iCloud backup are as follows.

• Easy Setup

iCloud robust backup storage for iOS devices is a simple and short process to back up iPhone photos to iCloud. Its best-in-class sync feature allows users to sync their crucial data in a single place. It also provides the ease of moving Photos Libraries to other iOS devices.

You can access the data from any synced iOS device from anywhere. Just check that you have strong network connectivity. Optimizing photos allows you to get better print images. If you are looking to print your pictures, you can have a look at fresh reviews for the printer apps.

• Optimized Storage

As mentioned above, Optimize iPhone Storage stores local pictures at low resolution to consume relatively reduced space. Therefore, you can better optimize your storage for saving more content.

Whenever you have to access high-resolution photos, you will have to download them from your iCloud account. The Download and Keep Originals option has images from iCloud at a full resolution.

Generally speaking, storage issues are quite common among all kinds of digital device users. And not just in terms of how much free space you have left on your cloud account. The devices themselves, such as smartphones and computers, have a finite amount of total disk space.

Cluttering the device with files leads to poor performance. The goal is to have as much free space as possible, and making the most out of the available opportunities is the way to go about it, including the optimization for photos on an iPhone.

• Consistent Sync

iCloud Photo Library will allow you to sync non-destructive edited photos across all your iOS devices. You can start the photo editing process on your iPhone and complete the touch-ups on a Mac computer.

Your iCloud Photo Library will back up all your pictures. Hence, if your device gets damaged, malfunctions, or is stolen/lost, you can restore your memorable photos. What you require to do is just sign in to your valid iCloud account. 

In case you encounter problems related to accessing your account, you can solve them by resetting the password. It is a hassle to deal with such issues now and then, but you still have to do it to keep the data in check.

Cons

If you are constantly asking yourself, “should I optimize photos iPhone has”, consider the drawbacks for better decision making. For example, editing photos is comparatively slower. You have to wait for the original version to download from your iCloud account.

Backing up content on iCloud will require a lot of work. The reason is that it will not be included in your Time Machine backup because they’re not saved locally. The following are other cons you can consider.

• Reduced Confidentiality

External storage or cloud storage services are primarily used to save photos, videos, documents, and other data. Alongside saving the iPhone space, users optimize the photos to keep them safe.

But it puts confidentiality at risk. Apple people still have access to the pictures and other data saved on iCloud. They can’t spy on you, but they can access your saved data technically.

The odds of a corporation as big as Apple actually bothering with accessing personal images of a random person are very low. Nevertheless, that can still happen.

You can also look at it from a different angle. If Apple, in theory, can see your files, someone who hacks Apple’s servers will gain access as well. But similar to how Apple is unlikely to bother with photos of a random person, the odds of someone actually breaching their security system and getting inside are pretty much zero.

• No Access Without WiFi

To access the images from iCloud, you need to download them. To use the optimized photos, you would require a stable internet connection. This would not be possible when you have a poor or no internet connection. 

So, it’s not good when you are on long-distance flights. It would not be a good choice when you’re living in an area where you can’t have a high-speed internet connection. Internet access is also costly.

If there is no access to WiFi, you will need to consume mobile data, which can accumulate over time and add up to your expenses.

Thankfully, as we go forward, there are more and more Wi-Fi hotspots that you can connect to, so the internet problem is not as prominent as it once was.

• Weaker Security

Just like confidentiality, optimizing photos of your iPhone on iCloud can also put your data security at risk. This is another major problem for iPhone users associated with iCloud storage service. 

The iCloud storage options Apple can be easily targeted by hackers all around the globe. It provides an awkward feeling that some people look for the chance to jump into the iCloud system.

Imagine yourself connecting to public WiFi. The odds are that the internet connection at a public place like a bar or a hotel lacks the necessary security protocols. As such, you risk exposing yourself to a potential hacker attack.

To counter potential cybersecurity threats, it is recommended to use a virtual private network when you have to connect to public WiFi. VPNs for smartphones are just as useful as they are for computers.

At the end of the day, it is better to be safe than sorry. If security can come from a VPN service that costs a few dollars per month, it is pretty much a no-brainer to invest the money.

• Higher Storage Cost

If you remove any picture from your phone, it will be deleted from other devices. Also, you can’t decide which photos to sync. You can’t select which pictures to remain locally on your iPhone or get optimized.

You might not be able to access an image. This creates a problem when you need any business document urgently but can’t access that. 5GB of storage is free, but for extra storage, you will have to pay.

The Conclusion

And these all are the pros and downsides of optimizing photos of your iPhone. In the bottom line, the advantages and limitations will rely on the way you are using the iCloud Photo Library on your iPhone.

If you use it just as a syncing service, it will work perfectly for you. However, if you use the iCloud Photo Library with the intent to optimize storage for saving extra gigabytes, you will have a different experience, so you can try it as per your preferences.