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bxbbiiee
User level: Level 1 (5 points)

How to resolve 'Error cleaning up photos' on iPhone 17 Pro Max?

Hi, this was working fine not even an hour ago and now this error message is displaying when I try to use clean up. I am using a iphone 17 pro max, phone is charged, updated to latest software and I have already force restarted my iPhone (up, down hold power), also turned off my iPhone in general just to be extra and I am also connected to WiFi. There should be no issues on my end, is anyone else experiencing this and has found a solution?


[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: Error cleaning up photos

Posted on Sep 23, 2026 4:28 AM

6 replies

Richard.Taylor
User level: Level 7 (25,466 points)

Sep 23, 2026 7:26 AM in response to bxbbiiee

You've done some good troubleshooting! Could you tell us, what is your storage on this iPhone? At Settings>General>iPhone Storage, my phone says 50.5 GB of 128 GB used. What does yours say? 


Also, are you using iCloud Photos to synchronize your devices? If so

…Do you have “Optimize Storage” checked in Settings>[name]>iCloud>Photos>

…Do you see all your iPhone pictures at iCloud.com?

…What is your storage in iCloud? At Settings>[name]>iCloud>Storage, mine says 166.6 GB of 200 GB used. What does yours say? 


Are you using a VPN, or are you using any "cleaner" apps or "anti-virus" apps?

Richard.Taylor
User level: Level 7 (25,466 points)

Sep 28, 2026 6:40 AM in response to bxbbiiee

That's good--224GB, 90%, is the maximum that you should allow as used.


A number of people seem to be reporting problems with Clean Up right now, apparently from overloaded Apple servers that are dealing with millions of upgrades right now. The general suggestion seems to be, "wait a week."

Richard.Taylor
User level: Level 7 (25,466 points)

Sep 24, 2026 8:46 AM in response to bxbbiiee

bxbbiiee wrote: hi, I have 40 GB of storage left and I don’t have iCloud photos turned on

At Settings>General>iPhone Storage, my phone says 50.5 GB of 128 GB used. What does yours say? 

0927nan
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Oct 9, 2026 11:59 AM in response to bxbbiiee

I just bought an iPhone 17 now. I’m getting the same error message when I try to clean up a photo. Spent over an hour on the phone. Nobody at Apple could figure out why this is happening. Very frustrating.

bxbbiiee Author
User level: Level 1 (5 points)

Sep 23, 2026 1:25 PM in response to Richard.Taylor

hi, I have 40 GB of storage left and I don’t have iCloud photos turned on

bxbbiiee Author
User level: Level 1 (5 points)

Sep 24, 2026 4:02 PM in response to Richard.Taylor

200.83 of 256 GB used

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256363377