How to download all photos from iCloud [Quick and easy ways]

Many of us store our precious photos in our Photos app. Years and years of holidays, family gatherings, and memorable events sitting there in our iCloud storage. 

Sooner or later, you’ll want to know how to download all photos from iCloud for offline use. Whether you’re backing up, freeing cloud space, or just want local access, the process is simple. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to download photos from iCloud to your iPhone or Mac, step by step.

Quick ways to download photos from iCloud

Here's a quick overview of how to download photos from iCloud, depending on your device. For more detailed instructions, keep reading the sections below. 

I want to download photos…	Do this:
From iCloud to iPhone	Sync your iPhone with iCloud. Then, go to iCloud.com > Sign in > Photos > Open photo > Tap three dots at the top right > Download.
From iCloud to Mac	Sync your Mac with iCloud. Then, go to iCloud.com > Sign in > Photos > Choose photo > Click three dots at the top right > Download > Choose a destination folder on your Mac.
Download all photos from iCloud at once	On your Mac, go to iCloud.com. Sign in > Photos > Press Command + A or batch-select the files > Click the Download icon > Choose a destination folder.

Want an easy way to download videos? Check out the All Video Downloader assistant on ChatGPT — it’s super handy for quick downloads.

How to download photos from iCloud to iPhone

If you’re wondering how to download photos from iCloud to your iPhone for offline use, you’ll first need to sync your device with iCloud.

To do this:

1. Go to Settings > Apple Account > iCloud > Photos.
2. Turn on Sync this iPhone to sync your photos across your devices, including your iPhone.
3. Tap Download and Keep Originals to store photos on your iPhone for offline access.

Note: When you choose "Download and Keep Originals," your photos are stored locally on your device in full resolution, not as compressed versions.

Download photos manually from iCloud on iPhone

If you don’t want to sync all your photos across your Apple devices but prefer to download specific images to your iPhone, you can do that, too. 

Here’s how to download specific photos manually:

1. Go to iCloud.com on your iPhone.
2. Sign in to your account.
3. Go to Photos > Tap on a photo or video to open it.
4. Tap the three dots at the top right and choose Download.

How to download photos from iCloud to Mac

If you want to do an iCloud Photos download to your MacBook, the process is straightforward. Similar to what you did with your iPhone, you need to sync your Mac with iCloud so that all your new photos will automatically upload to your cloud storage. From there, you can extract them at any time.

Here’s how to do this:

1. Click the Apple menu > System Settings > Apple Account > iCloud.
2. Click Photos and make sure Sync this Mac is turned on.
3. Open the Photos app on your Mac.

All your iCloud photos will appear and download to your Mac automatically through iCloud sync.

Download specific photos to Mac manually

If you’re trying to download specific photos from iCloud to your Mac, this is how you do it:

1. Go to iCloud.com on your Mac.
2. Sign in to your account.
3. Open Photos and find the photo(s) you want to download.
4. Click the three dots at the top right > Download.
5. Choose a destination folder to save the photos to your Mac.

I personally use a variety of cloud storage services, including Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, and so do many other people. When it comes to sharing files, things can get a little tricky sometimes, especially with large file sizes on my Mac. Dropshare, a secure file-sharing platform, helps me tackle those issues head-on. All you need to do is use the drag-and-drop functionality, and you can share all kinds of images and files with people using a secure, password-protected link.

Read also:

• Recover Deleted Photos From iPhone
• Sign Out of iCloud on Mac
• Download Photos From Google Photos
• Transfer Photos From Android to Mac

How to download all photos from iCloud at once

Let’s say you have a small selection of photos up on the cloud and you want to download all of them to your device. 

Here’s how to download all iCloud photos at once on a Mac:

1. Go to iCloud.com on your Mac.
2. Sign in to your account > Open Photos.
3. Press Command + A or batch-select the files you want to download.
4. Click the Download icon at the top > Choose a destination folder on your Mac.

Note: Downloading large numbers of photos may take some time, depending on your internet speed, so be patient.

Why you might need to download photos from iCloud

Sometimes cloud-only storage isn't enough, and heres; why: 

• You might need offline access during travel
• Want to print high-res vacation shots
• Prefer managing your photo archive locally 

Knowing how to get photos from iCloud gives you full control over your media library, which you'll be able to access even without internet access. 

Final thoughts on how to download photos from iCloud

Now you know how to download photos from iCloud to Mac and iPhone like a seasoned pro! Whether you’re downloading all your iCloud photos or specific ones, it only takes a few clicks to do so. 

And with third-party tools like CloudMounter, CleanMy®Phone, and Dropshare, you can make everything from managing your files in the cloud to keeping your Photos storage organized a breeze.

These three apps are available on Setapp, a platform that gives you access to 250+ Mac and iOS apps for a single monthly subscription. There’s also a free 7-day trial, so you can explore how it can make your digital life simpler and more productive.

FAQ

How do I download all photos from iCloud?

To download all your photos from iCloud, go to iCloud.com and sign in. In the Photos tab, choose photos and download.

Why can't I download my photos from iCloud?

There are a couple of reasons why you can’t download photos from iCloud:

• Lack of storage space on your device
• Poor internet connection
• Outdated software
• File format issues
• iCloud Photos is not enabled on your device

How do I download everything from iCloud storage?

To download everything from iCloud storage, first make sure iCloud is turned on on your device. Then, follow these steps:

• On your iPhone, sign in to iCloud.com, go to Photos, and batch-select all files to download.
• On your Mac, sign in to iCloud.com, go to Photos, and press Command + A to select all files.