There could be several reasons why your iCloud photos may have been deleted. Here are some possible explanations:
1. Accidental Deletion: It is possible that you unintentionally deleted your photos. Sometimes, when browsing through your photo library or organizing albums, you may mistakenly select and delete pictures or entire albums. Double-check your recently deleted folder in the Photos app to see if your photos are there.
2. Storage Optimization: If you have limited storage space on your device or iCloud account, your photos may be automatically deleted to free up space. This feature, called “Optimize iPhone Storage” or “Optimize Mac Storage,” replaces full-resolution photos with smaller versions, keeping the original photos in iCloud. When you access a photo, it will be downloaded from iCloud. However, if you disable this feature, your device may prompt you to delete some photos to make space.
3. iCloud Photo Library Settings: If you have enabled the “Optimize iPhone Storage” or “Optimize Mac Storage” feature, it is possible that your photos are not stored locally on your device. In this case, if you are not connected to the internet or iCloud is temporarily unavailable, you may not be able to view your photos. Ensure that your device is connected to the internet and check your iCloud settings to make sure iCloud Photo Library is enabled.
4. Signing in to a Different iCloud Account: If your iCloud photos have disappeared, it is worth checking if you have accidentally signed in to a different iCloud account on your device. When you sign in to a different account, your photos from the original account will not be visible. To rectify this, go to Settings, tap on your name, scroll down, and sign out of the current iCloud account. Then, sign in with the correct iCloud account details.
5. iCloud Sync Issues: Occasionally, there may be synchronization issues between your device and iCloud, resulting in missing photos. This can happen if there are network connectivity issues or if iCloud services are experiencing temporary problems. In such cases, try restarting your device, ensuring a stable internet connection, and checking the iCloud System Status page to see if there are any reported issues.
6. Third-Party App or User Error: If you use third-party apps to manage your photos or if someone else has access to your device and accidentally deleted the photos, it is possible that they may have been permanently removed. Be cautious when using unfamiliar apps and ensure that you have appropriate security measures in place to protect your photos.
It is important to note that iCloud retains deleted photos for a limited time in the “Recently Deleted” folder, which allows you to recover them. However, if photos are deleted from the “Recently Deleted” folder or if you permanently delete them, they cannot be recovered through normal means.
To summarize, iCloud photos may disappear due to accidental deletion, storage optimization settings, signing in to a different iCloud account, iCloud sync issues, or third-party app/user error. It is crucial to check these possibilities and take appropriate measures to prevent any further loss of photos.