When you use iCloud Photos, your entire photo library is kept online and synced across all your devices. Would you like to download and save all your iCloud photos? This can be done via the Photos app for Mac or iCloud.
If you would like an additional backup of your photos or perhaps want to stop using Apple’s online storage service, you can choose to download all your photos and videos that are present in your iCloud Photo Library. These can be the original or edited copies.
Download iCloud Photos via Mac
The easiest way to download your iCloud photos is through your Mac. In the Photos app you have an export function that makes it possible to export all content so that you can save it on your Mac or external hard drive. To do this, follow the steps below:
- Open the Photos app on your Mac
- Click ‘Library’ in the sidebar
- Enter the key combination command⌘ + A out
- The entire content is selected
- Click on ‘Archive’ in the menu bar
You can now choose to export the original and raw files. To do this, click on ‘Export unchanged parts X parts’. If you want to save the edits, you can choose ‘Export X parts’. Please note, with the latter you lose the option to undo edits. For example, you can no longer adjust live photos.
Once you have made a choice, you can choose a storage location, for example a folder in Finder or directly on an external hard drive.
Download photos via iCloud
The best way to export your photos is through the Photos app for Mac so you can download the unaltered components. If you don’t have a Mac, you can download the photos and videos via the iCloud website.
- Open iCloud.com in a browser
- Log in and navigate to Photos
- Click ‘Library’ in the sidebar
- Select a photo in the overview
- Enter the key combination command⌘ + A out
- The entire content is selected
- Then click on the download cloud in the status bar
All photos and videos in your library will be downloaded to your computer’s downloads folder. Keep in mind that you have to do this for your personal and shared library. You can switch at the top of the status bar. In addition, the photos are not exported as originals and these are therefore ‘edited’ photos.