Photos Stuck on Optimizing Library on iPhone: How to Fix It

If you’ve ever opened the Photos app on your iPhone and seen the message “Optimizing Library,” only to realize it’s stuck and never seems to finish, you’re not alone. I was experiencing this isssue also. Mine seemed to stuck for days. Like me, many iPhone users report that their photo library gets stuck during the optimization process, often halting at specific percentages like 1%, 60%, or 30%, even when all their photos appear to be fully synced with iCloud. This issue is frustrating, especially when the device repeatedly prompts you to “to finish optimizing your library, connect to power overnight until complete” to complete the process, yet the progress never seems to move forward.

The “Optimizing Library” feature is designed to help you save space by storing full-resolution photos in iCloud while keeping smaller, optimized versions on your device. However, when the optimization process gets stuck, it can create unnecessary concerns about whether your photos are safe and properly backed up. The issue could stem from various factors, such as low device storage, connectivity problems, or even software bugs in iOS.

In this article, I’ll explain the common reasons why your iPhone might be getting stuck on “Optimizing Library” and guide you through several troubleshooting steps to fix the problem, so you can regain control over your photo library and ensure everything is running smoothly again.

There are several key steps you can take to resolve the issue. Here are some essential things to check and do:

1. Make Sure Your iPhone is on the Charger
   • The “Optimizing Library” process requires significant power, and iPhones often recommend being connected to a charger to ensure the process completes without interruption. If your phone is not charging, optimization may stall.
2. Ensure You’re Connected to Wi-Fi
   • A stable Wi-Fi connection is crucial for syncing and optimizing photos with iCloud. Cellular data may not be fast or stable enough for this process, especially if you’re uploading or downloading large photo libraries. Double-check that your iPhone is connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network. If you’ve recently switched networks or have a weak signal, reconnecting or moving closer to the router can help.
3. Restart Your iPhone
   • Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve issues like a stuck optimization process. Restarting your iPhone refreshes the system and clears any temporary glitches that might be hindering progress. To restart your iPhone, press and hold the Power button along with either Volume button (for Face ID models) or just the Power button (for models with a Home button) until you see the “Slide to Power Off” option. After turning off your phone, wait a few seconds and turn it back on.
4. iCloud Storage
   • Make sure you have enough available space in iCloud for all your photos. Even if your photos appear synced, the iPhone might still be trying to upload higher-quality versions or manage storage. We previously explain what buying iCloud does on your device. You can easily upgrade if needed.
5. iPhone Storage
   • Sometimes, if your device storage is very low, it can interfere with the optimization process. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see how much free space you have.
6. Turn Off and On iCloud Photos
   • Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos and turn off iCloud Photos. Wait for a few minutes, then turn it back on. This can trigger a reset and force the Photos app to restart the optimization process. If this does not work, turn off iCloud Photos, restart your iPhone and then turn it back on.

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