Set up and use iCloud Photos

iCloud Photos automatically keeps every photo and video you take in iCloud, so you can access your library from any device, at any time you want — just open the Photos app. Any changes you make to your collection on one device will be reflected on your other devices too. Your photos and videos are organised into Years, Months, Days and All Photos. And all of your Memories and People & Pets are updated everywhere. This makes it quick and easy to find the moment, family member or friend you’re looking for.

Your photos and videos are stored in iCloud in their original format at full resolution. Formats include HEIF, JPEG, RAW, PNG, GIF, TIFF, HEVC and MP4, as well as special formats you capture with your iPhone or iPad, such as slo-mo, time-lapse, 4K videos and Live Photos. The photos and videos you capture with these devices are in HEIF and HEVC format. Depending on your internet speed, the time it takes for you to see your photos and videos on all of your devices and iCloud.com may vary.

Make sure you set up iCloud and sign in to iCloud with the same Apple Account on all of your device .

1. Go to Settings > [your name].

2. Tap iCloud.

3. Tap Photos, then tap the switch next to Sync this [device].

1. Choose Apple menu  > System Settings or choose Apple menu  > System Preferences.

2. Click your name.

3. Click iCloud, then select Photos.

4. Click the switch next to Sync this Mac.

1. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts.

2. Select iCloud .

3. Turn on iCloud Photos.

learn how to set up and use iCloud photo on your pc

When you edit or delete photos or videos, the changes will be reflected across all of your devices.

When you make edits in the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad or on your Mac, the photo is automatically updated across all your devices, including your Apple TV. So when you crop or enhance a photo from your iPhone, you see the changes when you access your library from your Mac. Your original photos and videos are stored in iCloud, and you can go back to them at any time and revert any changes that you made.

When you delete photo and video on one device , they ’re delete everywhere that you use iCloud Photos . If you delete something accidentally , you is recover can recover it in the recently delete folder for 30 day . After that , it will be delete permanently .

When you turn on iCloud Photos , your photo and video are upload to iCloud automatically . They ‘re not duplicate in your iCloud backup , so you is keep should   keep backup copy of your library . use the step below to download copy of your photo and video to your Mac or PC . Or you is import can import your library to your Mac or PC .

1. On iCloud.com , click Photos .

2. Select the photos and videos you want to download.

3. To download in the highest resolution, click the download button in the top right-hand corner of the window. Or click the More button, then click More Download Options .

   

   • To download in the format most compatible for your device, JPEG or H.264, select Most Compatible. To download your content as it was originally captured or imported, select Unmodified Original.

4. Click download.

1. open the Photos app , then select one or more photo or video .

2. Tap the share button.

3. Tap AirDrop, then select the device you want to share with. Find out more about using AirDrop.

For large number of photo , find out how to import your photo instead .

1. On your Mac, open the Photos app.

2. Select one or more photos or videos.

3. Drag the content to your desktop, or Control-click and select Share > AirDrop.

The photos and videos that you keep in iCloud Photos use your iCloud storage and your device storage. As long as you have enough space in iCloud and on your device, you can store as many photos and videos as you like.

Find out more about iCloud storage and device storage

When you sign up for iCloud , you is get automatically get 5 GB of free storage . If you need more space , and access to premium feature , you is upgrade can upgrade to icloud+ .

Find out how to upgrade to iCloud+

In iOS 17 or ipados 17 or later , you is go can go to your iCloud setting to check whether there are photo and video you do n’t need any more and can delete .

find out how to make more space

iCloud Photos is keeps keep all your photo and video in their original , high – resolution version . To save storage space on your device , you is turn can turn on Optimise Storage .

If you turn on Optimise Storage , iCloud Photos is manage will manage the size of your library on your device automatically . Your original photo and video are store in   iCloud , and space – save version are keep on your device . Your library is only optimise when you need space , start with the photo and video you access least . You is download can download the original photo and video over Wi – Fi or mobile datum when you need them .

If you turn on Download original , iCloud Photos is keeps keep your original full – resolution photo and video in iCloud and on your device .

1. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud.

2. Tap Photos .

3. Choose Optimise [device] Storage.

   

1. Open the Photos app and click Photos in the menu bar.

2. Click Settings or click Preferences.

3. Go to the iCloud tab and choose a storage setting.

When you turn on iCloud Photos , the time it take for your photo and video to upload to iCloud depend on the size of your collection and your internet speed . If you have a large collection of photo and video , your upload is take may take more time than usual . You is see can see the status and pause the upload for one day . depend on your library status , pause is be might not be available .

• On your iPhone , iPad or Apple Vision Pro : open the Photos app , scroll to the bottom and tap pause . Or , tap the profile button and tap pause . In iOS 17 or early , open the Photos app , go to the Library tab and tap All photo . Then scroll to the bottom of your screen and tap pause .

• On your Mac : open the Photos app . Select Library is click in the sidebar , then click All Photos in the list of tab in the toolbar . Scroll to the bottom of your photo and click pause .

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

Published Date: September 25 , 2024