How to download photos from iCloud and save copies of them to any device
- You can download photos from your iCloud library using the Photos app on your Apple devices.
- The Photos app allows you to download iCloud photos via the Shared Albums folder.
- You can also download photos directly from iCloud.com on Apple devices and PCs.
Having photos saved to iCloud is useful for cutting down on storage space. But there are times when you need to get your photos and videos back onto your mobile device or computer.
Downloading photos from iCloud can be a little confusing, especially since there are so many different methods based on where you’re accessing the data from, and what device you’re using at the moment.
No matter what your circumstances are, here’s how to get it done quickly and easily.
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Before downloading photos from iCloud
The first thing you should do is check how much space the photos take up on iCloud.
1. Go to iCloud.com in your favorite desktop browser and log in using your Apple ID.
2. Click your name in the top right corner and select Account Settings.
Select “Account Settings” after clicking your name in the top right corner.
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3. In the Storage section, you’ll see a bar with different colored sections. Your photos and videos will be in the yellow-colored section. Now, hover your mouse pointer over this section to reveal how much space they take.
You’ll see how much space your photos and videos take on iCloud by hovering your mouse pointer here.
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Once you know how much space you’ll need, check your device’s available storage space, and if you don’t have enough, clear up some of it to make room for the iCloud photos.
How to download photos from iCloud via the Apple Photos app
Follow these directions to save copies of your photos and videos from your Apple Photos app to your Apple device.
On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch:
1. Open the Settings app on your device.
2. Tap your name at the top of the Settings menu to access your Apple ID page.
Navigate to the Apple ID page on your device.
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3. Tap iCloud.
4. Tap Photos.
Tap “Photos.”
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Quick tip: Make sure the toggle for iCloud Photos is turned on – it should have a green background. If not, meaning it has a gray background, tap on it to enable the feature.
Turn on iCloud Photos syncing.
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5. Tap Download and Keep Originals.
Tap “Download and Keep Originals.”
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On your Mac:
1. Open the Photos app on your Mac computer.
2. In the menu bar at the top of your screen, click Photos and then Preferences.
Select “Preferences” in the menu that appears after clicking “Photos” in the menu bar.
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3. In the pop-up menu, select the iCloud tab located at the top of the window.
4. Click the selection next to Download originals to this Mac.
Click the selection next to “Download originals to this Mac.”
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Note: For those on a PC, you’ll have to set up iCloud for Windows, and then you’ll be able to download your photos from iCloud Photos.
How to download photos from iCloud via iCloud.com
Follow these directions to save copies of your photos and videos from iCloud.com to your Apple device.
On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch:
1. Open Safari on your device.
2. Go to iCloud.com and log in using your Apple ID.
3. Tap Photos.
4. Tap Select in the top right corner of Safari.
Tap “Select.”
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5. Tap the desired photo or video. You can also select multiple photos and videos by tapping multiple thumbnails.
6. Tap the more icon – the three vertical dots – in the bottom right corner to open additional options.
Tap this three-dot icon in the bottom right corner.
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7. Tap Download.
8. Tap Download again to confirm your decision.
On your Mac or PC:
1. Go to iCloud.com and log in using your Apple ID.
2. Click Photos.
Click “Photos.”
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3. Click to choose your desired photo or video.
Quick tip: Hold the Command key on a Mac or the Ctrl key on a PC to select more than one photo or video at a time.
4. Click and hold the Download button – it looks like the cloud symbol combined with a down arrow – located on the right side of the top toolbar.
Click and hold the “Download” button.
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5. Choose whether you want to download the Unmodified Original or Most Compatible versions and then click Download.
The download will then appear at the bottom of your screen, and you can click to open it, rename it, and move it.
How to download photos from iCloud via Shared Albums
Follow these directions to save copies of your photos and videos from Shared Albums to your own device.
On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch:
1. Open the Photos app on your device.
2. Tap Albums in the bottom menu.
3. Scroll down and select your desired album in the Shared Albums section.
4. Tap Select in the upper right corner of the album.
Tap “Select.”
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5. Tap each photo you want to download, or you can tap Select All in the upper left corner.
6. Tap the upload icon – it looks like a square with an up arrow – in the bottom left corner.
Tap the upload icon.
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7. Tap Save Image (or Save Video).
You can now save the image to your device.
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On your Mac:
1. Open the Photos app on your Mac computer.
2. Select a Shared Album from the left sidebar.
3. Hold the Control key and click on the desired photo or video, or select multiple.
4. Click Import.
Click “Import.”
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Devon Delfino is a Brooklyn-based freelance journalist specializing in personal finance, culture, politics, and identity. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Los Angeles Times, Teen Vogue, Business Insider, and CNBC. Follow her on Twitter at
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