iCloud Photos is a fantastic service for automatically syncing and storing your precious photo and video memories across all your Apple devices. However, there are times when you need to download these photos and videos from iCloud to your device or computer for backup, editing, or simply to have them locally. Whether you’re switching devices, freeing up iCloud storage, or just want a local copy, understanding How To Get Photos Off Icloud is essential. This guide will walk you through various methods to easily download your photos and videos from iCloud, ensuring you have access to your memories whenever you need them.
Method 1: Downloading via the Photos App Settings
One of the most straightforward ways to download your iCloud Photos is directly through the settings of your Photos app on both iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This method is ideal for syncing your entire iCloud Photo Library to a specific device.
On Your iPhone or iPad
If you prefer to have original, full-resolution versions of your photos and videos directly on your iPhone or iPad, you can adjust your iCloud Photos settings to download and keep them. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings App: Locate and tap the Settings app icon on your iPhone or iPad home screen.
- Tap on Your Name: At the top of the Settings menu, tap on your name to access your Apple ID settings.
- Navigate to iCloud, then Photos: In the Apple ID settings, tap on “iCloud,” and then select “Photos”.
- Select “Download and Keep Originals”: Under the “iCloud Photos” section, you will see options for how photos are stored. Choose “Download and Keep Originals”.
Once you select this option, your iPhone or iPad will begin downloading the original, high-resolution versions of your photos and videos from iCloud. Keep in mind that this process can take a significant amount of time and storage space on your device, depending on the size of your iCloud Photo Library. Ensure you have enough available storage and a stable Wi-Fi connection for a smooth download.
On Your Mac
For Mac users, downloading original photos is just as simple through the Photos app settings. Follow these steps to ensure your Mac keeps local copies of your iCloud Photos:
- Open the Photos App: Launch the Photos application on your Mac from the Applications folder or the Dock.
- Access Photos Settings: In the menu bar at the top of your screen, click on “Photos” and then select “Settings” (or “Preferences” in older macOS versions).
- Go to the iCloud Tab: In the Settings window, click on the “iCloud” tab.
- Choose “Download Originals to this Mac”: Make sure the “iCloud Photos” checkbox is selected, and then select the option “Download Originals to this Mac.”
By selecting this option, your Mac will download the original, full-resolution versions of your iCloud Photos library to your computer. Similar to iPhones and iPads, this process can consume considerable storage space and time, based on the size of your library. Ensure your Mac has sufficient storage and a reliable internet connection.
Method 2: Downloading from Shared Albums
Shared Albums in iCloud Photos provide a way to share photos and videos with others and also offer another method to download specific photos or videos you might have shared or received. This is particularly useful if you only need to download a select few items rather than your entire library.
On Your iPhone or iPad
To download photos or videos from a Shared Album to your iPhone or iPad:
- Open the Photos App and Go to Shared Albums: Launch the Photos app and scroll down to the “Shared Albums” section.
- Select a Shared Album: Tap on the Shared Album from which you want to download photos or videos.
- Tap the Photo or Video and Use the Share Button: Open the specific photo or video you wish to download. Tap the Share button (the square with an upward arrow) located in the bottom-left corner.
- Choose “Save Image” or “Save Video”: In the Share Sheet that appears, select “Save Image” to download a photo or “Save Video” to download a video to your device’s Camera Roll.
This method allows you to selectively download individual photos and videos from Shared Albums, making it a quick and easy way to save specific content.
On Your Mac
Downloading from Shared Albums on a Mac is also straightforward:
- Open Photos and Select Shared Album: Open the Photos app and choose a Shared Album from the left-hand menu under the “iCloud” section.
- Select Photo or Video: Select the photo or video you want to download.
- Control-Click and Choose “Import”: Control-click (right-click) on the selected photo or video. In the context menu that appears, choose “Import.”
The selected photo or video will be imported into your Photos library, effectively downloading it from the Shared Album to your Mac.
Method 3: Downloading via iCloud.com
iCloud.com offers a web interface to access your iCloud Photos and provides another flexible way to download your photos and videos, especially useful when you are using a computer or device that isn’t your own, or when you need more control over download options.
On Your iPhone or iPad
While using iCloud.com on a mobile browser isn’t always ideal, it provides a method to download photos even without using the Photos app:
- Go to iCloud.com/photos and Sign In: Open a web browser (like Safari or Chrome) on your iPhone or iPad and navigate to iCloud.com/photos. Sign in using your Apple ID and password.
- Select Photos or Videos: Once logged in, tap “Select” in the top-right corner, then tap on the photos or videos you wish to download. To select your entire library, tap “Select All.”
- Tap the “More” Button and Choose “Download”: After selecting your photos, tap the “More” button (three dots in a circle, usually in the bottom-right or top-right corner). Choose “Download.”
- Choose Download Options (Optional): You might see “More Download Options.” This allows you to choose between “Unmodified Originals,” “Highest Resolution,” or “Most Compatible” formats. Select your preferred option and tap “Download.”
The selected photos and videos will be downloaded as a ZIP file to your device. You may need a file management app to unzip and access the downloaded files on your iPhone or iPad.
On Your Mac or PC
iCloud.com works seamlessly on Macs and PCs, providing a robust way to download photos and videos:
- Go to iCloud.com/photos and Sign In: Open a web browser on your Mac or PC and go to iCloud.com/photos. Sign in with your Apple ID credentials.
- Select Photos or Videos: Click to select one or more photos or videos. To select multiple items, hold the Command key (on Mac) or Control key (on PC) while clicking.
- Click the Download Button: Look for the Download button (cloud icon with a downward arrow) usually located in the upper-right corner. Click it to start the download process.
- Choose Download Options (Optional): Alternatively, click “More” (often represented by three dots) and then “More Download Options” to select from “Unmodified Originals,” “Highest Resolution,” or “Most Compatible” formats before clicking “Download.”
Your selected photos and videos will be downloaded, typically as a ZIP file. On a Mac, the ZIP file will be automatically unzipped, and you can find the photos in your Downloads folder. On a PC, you may need to unzip the file manually.
Conclusion
Downloading your photos and videos from iCloud is a straightforward process with multiple methods available to suit your needs. Whether you prefer to download directly to your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or through iCloud.com, you have the flexibility to access your memories whenever and wherever you need them. By using these methods, you can effectively manage your iCloud storage, create backups, and ensure your photos and videos are readily available for any purpose. Remember to consider your storage space and internet connection speed when downloading large libraries to ensure a smooth and efficient process.
