Overview
Are you drowning in a sea of digital photos, with a library that spans years—maybe even a decade? This ever-growing collection eats up valuable storage space, especially if you're paying for iCloud. The thought of decluttering can feel overwhelming, but there's a smarter approach: turn it into a simple daily habit. “This Day” is a third-party app (featured in the Indie App Spotlight series) that transforms photo cleanup from a daunting chore into a manageable, one-day-at-a-time routine. This guide will walk you through how to use the app effectively, what you need to get started, and how to avoid common pitfalls. By the end, you'll have a streamlined workflow to keep your photo library tidy without the stress.
Prerequisites
What You'll Need
- An iOS device (iPhone or iPad) running iOS 14 or later (app compatibility may vary).
- A photo library stored on your device or in iCloud (the app works with local photos; iCloud integration may require permissions).
- Sufficient free time each day—roughly 5–10 minutes—to review photos for that specific day.
- A willingness to delete or archive photos you no longer need. (Emotional attachment to photos is common; be prepared to let go or move them to a separate archive.)
Optional but Recommended
- Enable iCloud Photos to ensure your deleted photos sync across devices.
- Back up your photo library before starting (e.g., export to a computer or cloud backup service).
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Install and Set Up “This Day”
First, download the app from the App Store. Once installed, open it and grant the necessary permissions to access your photo library. The app will ask for read and write access so it can help you delete photos. Ensure you allow “All Photos” to see your entire collection.
- Tap “Allow Access to All Photos” when prompted.
- On the home screen, you’ll see a daily view: a grid of photos taken on today’s date in previous years (e.g., if today is March 14, you’ll see all photos taken on March 14 from 2014, 2015, 2016, etc.).
- Review the interface. The top shows the date, and below are photos grouped by year. Each thumbnail has a delete button (a trash icon) and a keep/archive option.
2. Understand the Core Habit Loop
The app’s strength is its design for daily, micro‑sessions. Instead of scanning years of photos at once, you focus only on “this day” in history. Each day, the app surfaces photos from that same calendar day across all years.
- Check the app once a day, preferably at a consistent time (e.g., morning coffee or evening wind-down).
- Limit yourself to 5–10 minutes. Don’t try to do too much—consistency beats intensity.
- For each photo, decide quickly: keep, delete, or archive to a separate folder (the app may offer an “archive” feature to move photos out of the main library).
3. Use the Filter and Sort Options
To make decisions faster, use the available filters (if the app provides them—check the toolbar). You can usually filter by year or by “only duplicates” to spot obvious trash. Sort by date or by album to see chronologically.
- Tap the filter icon (funnel symbol).
- Select “Duplicates only” to quickly delete identical shots.
- Choose “Sort by year” if you want to tackle older years first (e.g., 2015 before 2020).
Internal anchor: Jump to Common Mistakes
4. Perform Bulk Actions for Speed
Select multiple photos at once to delete them in one tap. Long-press a photo to enter selection mode, then tap other photos to add to the selection. A toolbar will appear with options to delete all selected or archive them.
- Use this for obvious duplicates, blurry shots, or screenshots.
- Be careful: the app sends deletions to the “Recently Deleted” album, where they remain for 30 days before permanent removal. You can recover if you change your mind.
5. Develop a Long-Term Routine
After the first week, you’ll notice your daily photo pile shrinking. Keep the habit alive:
- Set a daily reminder on your phone (e.g., “Clean Today’s Photos” at 8 PM).
- Use the app’s widget (if available) to see a preview of today’s batch without opening the app.
- Review your “Deleted” album after a month to confirm no regrets before permanently erasing.
6. Sync and Monitor Storage
Check your iCloud storage after each cleaning session. Open Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage. You’ll see freed space gradually. For local storage, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. If you’re on a family plan, coordinate with family members to clean their libraries too.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Trying to Declutter All at Once
The biggest pitfall is abandoning the daily habit and instead bingeing. If you spend two hours on a weekend, you’ll burn out and likely miss many days after. Stick to the micro‑habit; it’s far more effective in the long run.
Mistake 2: Deleting Photos Without Reviewing Context
Photos from “this day” in past years may include events you cherish. A quick glance might not reveal the emotional value. Take a few extra seconds to swipe through the shots—you might find a forgotten gem.
Mistake 3: Forgetting to Empty “Recently Deleted”
Deleted photos still occupy space for 30 days. If you need that space immediately, go to Albums > Recently Deleted and tap “Delete All” (or select and delete). Otherwise, the system will clear it automatically—but that means the space isn’t freed until the 30 days are up.
Mistake 4: Overlooking Duplicates and Live Photos
The app may not automatically flag all duplicates (especially if taken with different settings). Manually check groups of similar photos. Also, Live Photos take up extra space—consider converting them to stills or deleting the Live part (via Photos app: Edit > Disable Live).
Summary
“This Day” reimagines photo decluttering as a sustainable, daily practice. By dedicating a few minutes each day to review only the photos taken on that date in previous years, you gradually reduce your library without the overwhelm. The app’s interface is simple, the habit is easy to maintain, and the payoff is reclaimed storage—both in iCloud and on your device. Start today, keep it consistent, and your photo library will thank you.