iCloud Photos is a fantastic service for keeping your precious memories safe and accessible across all your Apple devices. But what if you need to access those photos and videos on a device that isn’t directly linked to your iCloud, or want to keep a local backup? Retrieving your photos and videos from iCloud is a straightforward process, and this guide will walk you through the different methods to get photos back from iCloud to any device you choose. You can easily download copies of your iCloud Photos using the Photos app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or by using iCloud.com through any web browser.
Downloading Photos and Videos Using the Photos App
The Photos app offers a direct way to download your iCloud library, giving you control over where your photos and videos are stored.
On Your iPhone or iPad
If you want to download your original, full-resolution photos and videos directly to your iPhone or iPad, follow these simple steps:
- Launch the Settings app from your home screen.
- Tap on your name at the very top of the Settings menu to access your Apple ID settings.
- Select iCloud.
- Tap on Photos.
- Under the “Download and Keep Originals” option, select Download and Keep Originals.
Settings app path to download iCloud photos on iPhone
This setting will ensure that all your original photos and videos are downloaded from iCloud to your device’s local storage. Keep in mind that this process may take time depending on the size of your iCloud Photo Library and the speed of your internet connection.
On Your Mac
For Mac users, downloading originals from iCloud is just as simple through the Photos application:
- Open the Photos app 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.
- Select Download Originals to this Mac.
Once selected, Photos for macOS will begin downloading the original, high-resolution versions of your photos and videos from iCloud to your Mac’s photo library.
Downloading Photos and Videos from Shared Albums
Shared Albums provide a collaborative way to share photos and videos with others. You can also download content from Shared Albums to your devices.
On Your iPhone or iPad
To save individual photos or videos from a Shared Album to your iPhone or iPad:
- Open the Photos app and scroll down to the Shared Albums section.
- Tap to open the Shared Album you are interested in.
- Tap on the specific photo or video you want to download.
- Tap the Share button (the square icon with an arrow pointing upwards).
- From the Share Sheet options, choose Save Image or Save Video.
The selected photo or video will be saved to your device’s Camera Roll.
On Your Mac
Downloading from Shared Albums on a Mac is equally straightforward:
- Open the Photos app and locate Shared Albums in the sidebar menu on the left.
- Select the Shared Album you want to download from.
- Control-click (right-click) on the photo or video you wish to save.
- Choose Import from the context menu.
This action will import the selected item into your main Photos library on your Mac.
Downloading Photos and Videos via iCloud.com
iCloud.com offers a web-based interface to access your iCloud Photos from any computer or device with a web browser. This is particularly useful when you need to access your photos from a non-Apple device or when you prefer using a browser.
On Your iPhone or iPad
Using iCloud.com on your mobile Apple device to download photos involves these steps:
- Open a web browser and go to iCloud.com/photos.
- Sign in using your Apple ID and password.
- Tap Select, and then tap on the photos or videos you want to download. To select all, tap Select All.
- Tap the More button (three dots in a circle).
- Choose Download. For more control, tap More Download Options.
- Select your download preference:
- Unmodified Originals: Downloads in the original format.
- Highest Resolution: Best quality for your device, typically HEIC or H.265.
- Most Compatible: JPEG or MP4/H.264 formats for broader compatibility.
- Tap Download to start the download process.
On Your Mac or PC
Downloading photos and videos from iCloud.com on a computer is very similar:
- Open a web browser and navigate to iCloud.com/photos.
- Sign in with your Apple ID credentials.
- Click to select the photos or videos you want 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) > More Download Options for format choices.
- Choose your preferred download options: Unmodified Originals, Highest Resolution, or Most Compatible, similar to the mobile options.
- Click Download to begin downloading your selected photos and videos.
By following these methods, you can easily get photos back from iCloud to your devices, ensuring you have access to your memories whenever and wherever you need them. Whether you are using an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or even a PC, iCloud offers flexible ways to retrieve your photos and videos.
