Choose your Photos access
Library Surgeon asks only after you tap Allow Photo Access. You can allow your full library or a limited selection, and change that permission later in iOS Settings.
From access to action, you decide.
The workflow is intentionally explicit: understand the library first, inspect the candidates, and approve any deletion twice.
Build an on-device metadata index
The app scans video metadata without downloading full-resolution iCloud media. A local SwiftData index keeps selected metadata on your iPhone for faster later launches.
Open a smart search or build your own
Start with collections such as short clips, long videos, screen recordings, and largest videos, or combine filters for duration, size, date, resolution, type, and availability.
Inspect the results
Sort, preview, and select only the videos you want to review. File sizes that Apple does not expose remain marked as unavailable rather than being guessed.
Review the complete selection
The Review screen shows every selected item and the total of known sizes. You can remove items or deselect everything before taking action.
Confirm with Library Surgeon and Apple Photos
An in-app warning explains what will happen. Apple Photos then provides the final system confirmation before selected items move to Recently Deleted.
Storage recovery is controlled by Apple Photos
Items in Recently Deleted may continue to occupy storage until Photos removes them permanently or you empty the album yourself.
Know what is taking up space.
Library Surgeon for iPhone is preparing for App Store release.