Clean Up Your Photo Library One Day at a Time: A Step-by-Step Guide to Using 'This Day'

What You Need

Before you start, ensure you have the following:

• An iPhone or iPad running iOS 15 or later (the app may require a recent version).
• The 'This Day' app downloaded from the App Store (search for "This Day" by indie developer).
• A photo library with at least a few years of history (the app works best with older photos).
• Wi-Fi or cellular connection (for initial sync, though the app works offline after loading).
• A few minutes daily – even 2–3 minutes per day is enough to make progress.

How to Use 'This Day' to Declutter Your Photo Library

Follow these steps to turn photo cleanup into a simple daily habit. The key is consistency – by tackling just one day’s worth of photos at a time, you avoid overwhelm while steadily reclaiming storage space.

1. Step 1: Download and install the app

   Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad and search for "This Day". Look for the app by the indie developer (the icon typically shows a calendar with a photo). Tap Get to download and install. Once installed, open the app.

2. Step 2: Grant photo library access

   When prompted, allow the app to access your photo library. You can choose "Full Access" so the app can view all your photos and videos. Without this, the app won’t be able to show you the daily selection. This permission is required every time you use the app, so make sure it’s enabled in Settings > Privacy > Photos if you accidentally denied it.

3. Step 3: Understand the daily interface

   The app greets you with a simple screen: it shows photos and videos taken on this exact date in previous years. For example, if today is March 15, you’ll see everything you captured on March 15 in 2023, 2022, 2021, and so on. The interface is clean – each photo or video is presented one at a time, with a swipe gesture to move to the next. This design intentionally limits the number of items you see per session, making the task feel manageable.

4. Step 4: Review and decide for each photo

   For each photo that appears, ask yourself: "Do I need to keep this?" The app provides simple buttons or swipe actions to mark items as Keep or Delete. If you’re unsure, you can skip it temporarily. But the goal is to make a decision for every photo. Remember, the app only shows a handful of photos per day – usually 5–20 – so you won’t be overwhelmed. Take your time but try to be decisive.

5. Step 5: Delete unwanted photos directly

   When you swipe to delete a photo, the app moves it to your Recently Deleted album in the Photos app. This gives you a 30-day safety net if you change your mind. However, the app encourages you to permanently delete items after reviewing the batch. To do that, go to your Photos app > Albums > Recently Deleted and delete them from there. For a more integrated experience, some users choose to review their Recently Deleted folder weekly and clear it out.

   

6. Step 6: Repeat the process daily

   Consistency is the secret sauce. Open the app once per day and spend 2–5 minutes reviewing the day’s offerings. Over time, you’ll work through years of photos without ever feeling the burden of a massive cleanup. The app keeps track of which dates you’ve already processed, so you don’t see the same photos again. Soon, decluttering becomes a habit – just like checking your email or brushing your teeth.

Tips for Success

• Set a daily reminder. Use the app’s built-in notifications or your phone’s Reminders app to prompt you at the same time each day. Morning or evening? Choose a time that fits your routine.
• Start small. If you have a huge library, don’t feel pressured to catch up. The beauty of this method is that you only handle one day at a time. Trust the process.
• Be ruthless but kind. Delete blurry duplicates, screenshots you no longer need, and old memes. But keep memories that matter – even if they’re low quality. It’s okay to be selective.
• Combine with iCloud optimization. After deleting photos, go to Settings > Photos and enable Optimize iPhone Storage. This frees up even more space by storing full-resolution photos in iCloud while keeping smaller versions on your device.
• Review videos too. The app includes videos in the daily batch. Treat them the same: watch a few seconds and decide if it’s worth keeping. Old clips of nothing much can go.
• Track your progress. Many users find motivation by checking the app’s stats – it often shows how many photos you’ve deleted and how much storage you’ve saved. Celebrate those milestones!