iCloud Photos is a fantastic service for keeping your precious memories safe and accessible across all your Apple devices. However, there might be times when you need to download these photos and videos to your device or computer for backup, editing, or simply to have them readily available offline. Whether you’re switching devices, creating an archive, or just want local copies, retrieving your photos from iCloud is straightforward. This guide will walk you through several methods to easily download your backed-up photos from iCloud.
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Downloading iCloud Photos Using the Photos App Settings
One of the simplest ways to download your iCloud Photos is directly through the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad, or the Photos app settings on your Mac. This method is ideal if you want to download originals to a specific device.
On Your iPhone or iPad
- Begin by opening the Settings application on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap on your name at the very top of the Settings menu to access your Apple ID settings.
- Select iCloud, then proceed to Photos.
- Under the Photos section, you will see an option labeled Download and Keep Originals. Select this option.
By choosing “Download and Keep Originals”, your iPhone or iPad will start downloading the original, full-resolution versions of your photos and videos from iCloud. Keep in mind that this process can take time and storage space, depending on the size of your iCloud Photo Library.
On Your Mac
- Open the Photos application on your Mac.
- In the menu bar at the top of your screen, click on Photos, then select Settings (or Preferences in older macOS versions).
- Click on the iCloud tab within the Settings window.
- Look for the option that says Download Originals to this Mac and ensure it is selected.
Similar to the iPhone and iPad, enabling this setting on your Mac will download the original quality photos and videos from iCloud to your Mac’s photo library.
Downloading iCloud Photos from Shared Albums
If you are looking to download photos specifically from Shared Albums, the Photos app provides a straightforward method as well. This is useful for saving photos others have shared with you, or photos you’ve shared in albums.
On Your iPhone or iPad
- Launch the Photos app and scroll down to the Shared Albums section.
- Tap on the Shared Album you wish to download photos from.
- Tap on the specific photo or video you want to save.
- Tap the Share button (the square with an arrow pointing upwards).
- From the Share Sheet, choose Save Image or Save Video. The item will be saved to your device’s Camera Roll.
On Your Mac
- Open Photos and find Shared Albums in the sidebar menu on the left.
- Select the desired Shared Album.
- Choose the photo or video you want to download.
- Control-click (right-click) on the photo or video, and then select Import. This will copy the selected item to your main Photos library.
Downloading iCloud Photos via iCloud.com
iCloud.com offers another versatile way to download your photos and videos, accessible from any web browser on iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC. This is particularly useful if you need to access your photos from a non-Apple device or prefer using a web interface.
On Your iPhone or iPad
- Open a web browser and go to iCloud.com/photos. Sign in using your Apple ID credentials.
- Tap Select, and then tap to choose the photos or videos you want to download. To select your entire library, tap Select All.
- Tap the More button (three dots in a circle).
- Choose Download. You may also see More Download Options, which allows you to select download formats like Unmodified Originals, Highest Resolution, or Most Compatible.
- Tap Download to confirm and start the download process.
On Your Mac or PC
- In a web browser, navigate to iCloud.com/photos and log in with your Apple ID.
- Click to select the photos or videos you wish to download. Use the command key (⌘) on Mac or control key (Ctrl) on PC to select multiple items.
- Click the Download button (cloud icon with a downward arrow) in the top-right corner. Alternatively, click More (three dots) and then More Download Options to choose your preferred format before clicking Download.
Downloading from iCloud.com gives you flexibility in choosing download formats, ensuring compatibility and quality based on your needs.
By utilizing these methods, you can effectively download your backed-up photos from iCloud to your preferred devices, ensuring you have local access and backups of your valuable photo and video memories. Choose the method that best suits your device and workflow to manage your iCloud Photo Library efficiently.
