Deleting a video on your iPhone running iOS 11 is a straightforward process that helps you free up storage space, organize your media, or remove unwanted clips. Whether you want to delete a single video or multiple files, this guide will walk you through each step clearly and efficiently. Before starting, ensure your device is powered on and unlocked. No additional apps or tools are needed beyond your iPhone’s native Photos app.
What You’ll Need
- An iPhone running iOS 11 (or compatible later versions)
- Access to the Photos app
- Optional: a stable internet connection if you wish to delete videos from iCloud (not necessary for local deletion)
Step-by-Step
- Unlock your iPhone and open the Photos app. This is the primary app where all your videos and photos are stored.
- Navigate to the album or section where your video is stored. You can find videos in the “Recents” album or within specific albums if you organize your media.
- Locate the video you want to delete. You can scroll or use the search feature if you have many videos.
- Tap on the video to open it. This will display the video in full screen mode, giving you a clear view of the media.
- Once the video is open, tap the trash can icon usually located at the bottom right corner of the screen. If you don’t see it immediately, tap the screen to reveal options.
- A confirmation message will appear, asking if you want to delete the video. Confirm by tapping “Delete Video”. The video will then be moved to the Recently Deleted album.
- To permanently remove the video and free storage space, go back to the Albums tab in Photos.
- Scroll down and find the “Recently Deleted” album. Tap to open it.
- Within this album, tap “Select” at the top right corner.
- Choose the video(s) you want to permanently delete by tapping on them. You can select multiple videos if needed.
- After selection, tap “Delete All” or the trash icon, then confirm. The videos will be permanently removed from your device.
Common Mistakes
- Deleting videos from the Photos app but forgetting to empty the “Recently Deleted” album, which still occupies storage space.
- Accidentally deleting the wrong video — always double-check before confirming deletion.
- Trying to delete videos from other apps or file managers that are not compatible with iOS 11’s Photos app.
- Not ensuring that the video is fully loaded before attempting to delete, especially if it’s a large file or streaming from iCloud.
Tips
- To quickly delete multiple videos, use the “Select” option in the album view, then tap each video you wish to remove before deleting.
- If you want to free up space, consider deleting large videos or those you no longer need regularly.
- Always check the “Recently Deleted” album to permanently remove videos and free space faster.
- For videos stored in iCloud, deleting from your device will also remove them from iCloud, but ensure you have backups if needed.
- Use the search feature in Photos to locate specific videos faster, especially if you have many media files.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues deleting videos on iOS 11, try the following solutions:
- Restart your device: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches. Press and hold the power button, then slide to power off. Turn your device back on and try deleting again.
- Check for updates: Ensure your device is running the latest version of iOS 11. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Updating can fix bugs affecting the Photos app.
- Ensure the video isn’t in use or protected: Videos open in other apps or being shared might prevent deletion. Close other apps and stop sharing if necessary.
- Free up storage: If your device is nearly full, it might restrict certain operations. Delete unnecessary files or apps to free space.
- Reset Settings: If nothing works, resetting all settings (Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings) can resolve configuration issues without erasing your data.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I recover a video after deleting it on iOS 11?
Yes, if you delete a video but haven’t emptied the “Recently Deleted” album, you can recover it by opening that album, selecting the video, and choosing “Recover.”
2. How long does a deleted video stay in “Recently Deleted”?
Videos remain in “Recently Deleted” for 30 days, after which they are permanently removed automatically.
3. Will deleting videos free up storage immediately?
Deleting videos and emptying the “Recently Deleted” album will free up storage right away, but residual data might take a few moments to clear.
4. Can I delete videos from iCloud without deleting them from my device?
No, deleting videos from your device will also remove them from iCloud if iCloud Photos is enabled. To keep a copy, back up the videos first.
5. Is it possible to delete multiple videos at once in iOS 11?
Yes, using the “Select” option in an album, you can choose multiple videos and delete them simultaneously.
6. What should I do if the delete option is greyed out?
This may happen if the video is in use, protected, or syncing. Ensure the video isn’t open elsewhere, and try restarting your device.
By following these steps and tips, you can efficiently delete videos on iOS 11, helping you manage your storage and keep your media organized. Remember to always verify your deletions and empty the “Recently Deleted” album to free up space effectively.
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