Holding the shutter button on an iPhone 7 fires off a burst of photos, and older versions of iOS had an Upload Burst Photos setting to stop every frame syncing through My Photo Stream. Apple shut down My Photo Stream on July 26, 2023, so that setting is gone. Today, bursts sync with iCloud Photos like any other picture, and the practical fix is to keep only your favourite frames.
Quick Answer
Open the burst in Photos, tap Select, choose your favourite frames, tap Done, and pick Keep Only Favorites. Only the chosen photos remain and sync to iCloud Photos.
How to Manage Burst Photos on an iPhone 7
- Open the Photos app and go to Albums, then Bursts.
- Open a burst and tap Select.
- Swipe through the frames and tick the ones you want to keep.
- Tap Done and choose Keep Only Favorites.
- To avoid bursts, tap the shutter instead of holding it.
Burst Photo Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Upload Burst Photos setting | Removed when My Photo Stream shut down |
| iCloud Photos | Syncs bursts like other photos |
| Keep Only Favorites | Deletes the unselected frames |
| Recently Deleted | Removed frames stay there for 30 days |
Troubleshooting
- Storage is filling up with bursts: clear Recently Deleted after keeping favourites, or see how to check your iPhone storage.
- Bursts start when you do not want them: tap the shutter briefly rather than holding it.
- For more ways to take quick photo sequences, read how to use the volume button for multiple pictures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I find Upload Burst Photos in Settings?
It belonged to My Photo Stream, which Apple discontinued in 2023.
Do bursts count against iCloud storage?
Yes, each kept frame uses space in iCloud Photos.
Can I turn a burst into a video?
Not directly in Photos, but you can keep several frames and use them in a slideshow or third-party app.
Summary
- My Photo Stream and its burst setting are gone.
- Open the burst and tap Select.
- Keep only favourite frames.
- Clear Recently Deleted to free space.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.