iCloud Photos is a fantastic service for automatically syncing your precious memories across all your Apple devices. But what if you need to access those photos and videos on a device that isn’t directly connected to your iCloud, or simply want to keep a local backup? Downloading your photos and videos from iCloud is a straightforward process, and there are several methods available to suit your needs. This guide will walk you through the steps on how to get photos from iCloud using various Apple platforms.
Method 1: Using the Photos App via Settings
This is the most direct method to download your entire iCloud Photos library to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, ensuring you have local copies of your original, high-resolution files.
On Your iPhone or iPad
- Begin by opening the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap on your name at the very top of the Settings menu to access your Apple ID profile.
- Select iCloud, then proceed to tap on Photos.
- Under the “Photos” settings, you will see a section titled “Download and Keep Originals”. Choose Download and Keep Originals.
Once selected, your iPhone or iPad will start downloading the original, full-resolution versions of your iCloud photos and videos to your device. Keep in mind that this process can take a considerable amount of time and storage space, depending on the size of your iCloud Photo Library. Ensure you have sufficient storage available on your device before initiating the download.
On Your Mac
- Open the Photos app on your Mac.
- In the top menu bar, click on Photos and then select Settings (or Preferences in older macOS versions).
- Click on the iCloud tab within the Settings window.
- You will see an option labeled “Download Originals to this Mac”. Select Download Originals to this Mac to start the download process.
Similar to iPhone and iPad, your Mac will now begin downloading the original versions of your photos and videos from iCloud. This may take time and storage depending on your library size. Ensure your Mac has enough free space to accommodate your iCloud Photo Library.
Method 2: Using the Photos App with Shared Albums
If you only need to download specific photos or videos from Shared Albums, this method offers a quick way to save content shared with you or that you’ve shared with others.
On Your iPhone or iPad
- Open the Photos app and scroll down to the Shared Albums section.
- Select the Shared Album from which you want to download photos or videos.
- Tap on the specific photo or video you wish to download.
- Tap the Share button (the square with an upward arrow) located at the bottom left of the screen.
- From the Share sheet, choose Save Image or Save Video to save the selected item to your device’s photo library.
This method is excellent for selectively downloading content from shared albums without downloading your entire iCloud Photo Library.
On Your Mac
- Open the Photos app and select a Shared Album from the left-hand menu.
- Select the specific photo or video you intend to download.
- Control-click (right-click) on the selected photo or video.
- Choose Import from the context menu. This will save the photo or video to your local Photos library on your Mac.
Using Shared Albums is a convenient way to download individual photos and videos without impacting your overall iCloud download settings.
Method 3: Using iCloud.com
iCloud.com provides a web interface to access your iCloud Photos from any computer or device with a web browser. This is particularly useful for downloading photos to a PC or when you prefer using a browser interface.
On Your iPhone or iPad
- Open a web browser and go to iCloud.com/photos. Sign in using your Apple Account credentials.
- 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 (three dots in a circle) at the bottom right.
- Choose Download. You might also see More Download Options allowing you to choose between:
- Unmodified Originals: Downloads files in their 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 downloading your selected photos and videos.
iCloud.com offers flexibility in download options, allowing you to choose the format and quality that best suits your needs.
On Your Mac or PC
- Go to iCloud.com/photos in a web browser and sign in to your Apple Account.
- Click to select one or more photos or videos. To select multiple items, hold the Command key (⌘) on Mac or Control key (Ctrl) on PC while clicking.
- Click the Download button (cloud icon with a downward arrow) in the upper-right corner. Alternatively, click More (three dots) > More Download Options to choose download formats like Unmodified Originals, Highest Resolution, or Most Compatible, before clicking Download.
- Click Download to begin the download process.
iCloud.com is a versatile method for accessing and downloading your photos, especially when working on a PC or needing specific download formats.
No matter which method you choose, downloading photos from iCloud is a simple process that ensures you have access to your memories whenever and wherever you need them. Whether you’re using the Photos app directly or accessing iCloud through a web browser, you can easily get your photos from iCloud and keep them safe and accessible.
Video guide thumbnail for downloading iCloud photos and videos across Apple devices.
