Look, I get it – that "how to get photos from iCloud" search didn’t happen by accident. Maybe you’re switching to Android, ran out of storage, or just want physical backups of precious memories. Thing is, Apple doesn’t exactly make photo extraction obvious. After helping hundreds sort this out (and wrestling with iCloud myself during my Sony-to-Pixel transition), here’s the no-fluff playbook.
Before You Start: Critical Prep Work
Skip this and you’ll regret it later. I’ve seen too many people lose vacation photos by rushing.
- Check iCloud Storage: If your 5GB free tier is full, downloads fail silently. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage
- Connect to Power & Wi-Fi: Downloading 10,000 photos kills batteries. Use stable Wi-Fi – cellular data will cost you.
- Know Your iCloud Login: Sounds obvious? You’d be shocked how many forget Apple ID passwords mid-process.
Device-Specific Gotchas
- Must be iOS 15 or later
- Minimum 10% battery
- iCloud for Windows v14.2+ required
- NTFS-formatted hard drive only
Method 1: iCloud.com (The Universal Lifesaver)
When your Mac crashed and you only have a library computer – yes, I’ve been there. Here’s how iCloud.com saves you:
- Open any browser → icloud.com
- Login (watch for 2FA prompts!)
- Click Photos → Select images (Shift+Click for batches)
- Click cloud download icon → Wait for zip file
iCloud.com Speed Hacks
| File Type | Browser | Avg. Speed (1000 photos) |
|---|---|---|
| JPGs (Modern) | Chrome | 45-60 mins |
| Live Photos | Safari | 2+ hours |
| 4K Videos | Edge | 3+ hours |
Method 2: Apple’s Native Apps (Best for Full Libraries)
If you own a Mac or iPhone, this preserves metadata like locations and Live Photos:
On Mac
- Open Photos app → Check "iCloud Photos" is enabled
- Create new album (e.g., "Export August 2024")
- Select photos → File > Export > Export Unmodified Originals
- Choose external drive (never your internal SSD)
On iPhone/iPad
Surprise – there’s no direct export. You’ll need this workaround:
- Install Google Photos or Dropbox
- Enable "Back up & sync" in settings
- Wait for upload (days for large libraries)
- Download from that service
Personal rant: It’s baffling that Apple forces third-party apps for basic exports. My Pixel-using friends mock me for this.
Method 3: iCloud for Windows (The Underrated Hero)
Microsoft users, rejoice! This actually works well once configured:
- Install iCloud for Windows from Microsoft Store
- Sign in → Check "Photos" → Click "Options"
- Select albums → Set download location
- Click "Done" → "Apply"
Sync Settings Cheat Sheet
| Setting | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Download Folder | D:\iCloud\ (not C:\) | Avoids SSD space issues |
| Album Selection | Custom (not "All") | Prevents meme dump folder |
| Upload/Download | Download only | Stops accidental deletions |
Method 4: Third-Party Tools (When All Else Fails)
After iCloud.com failed during my Iceland trip export, I tested these:
| Tool | Cost | Best For | My Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| iMazing | $35+ | Full backups with metadata | Saved corrupted videos others missed |
| AnyTrans | $40 | Selective album transfers | UI glitched on M1 Macs |
| Dr.Fone | Free/$50 | Recovering deleted photos | Slow but rescued 2018 honeymoon pics |
Nuclear Option: Apple Support Requests
If you’ve paid for iCloud storage and downloads repeatedly fail:
- Request a Data and Privacy archive at privacy.apple.com
- Takes 3-7 days for Apple to compile
- You’ll get a link to download everything (including hidden data)
- Final file sizes often exceed 250GB – prepare storage
Top 5 Export Problems Solved
These account for 80% of failed downloads:
- Fix: Use Chrome/Firefox – Safari fails with large zips
- Alternative: Download in batches under 500 photos
- Fix: Only Mac exports preserve .MOV pairs
- Workaround: Use iMazing on Windows
iCloud lies about required space. Real formula: (Photo count × 3.2MB) × 1.3. For 10,000 photos? Free up 41GB minimum.
FAQs: What People Actually Ask
Can I get photos from iCloud WITHOUT an Apple device?
Absolutely. iCloud.com works on Chromebooks, Linux, even Android phones (though painfully slow). Just avoid Safari on non-Apple hardware – constant reloads.
Why are my downloaded iCloud photos low quality?
You likely exported "Modified Originals" instead of "Unmodified Originals". On Mac: Photos > Preferences > Download Originals. On Windows: iCloud Photos Options > Download Originals.
How much does it cost to get photos from iCloud?
Apple’s native methods are free but time-consuming. Third-party tools range $25-$60. Avoid "free" iCloud downloaders – most steal data or inject malware. (Lost $50 to one in 2020 – lesson learned.)
Do shared albums transfer when I get photos from iCloud?
Nope. Shared albums exist only online. Save shared items individually before leaving Apple’s ecosystem.
Will deleted photos stay in iCloud backups?
Only for 30 days in "Recently Deleted". After that? Gone unless you paid for iCloud+ backups. iCloud ≠ backup – it’s a sync service. That distinction cost me 700 baby photos.
Metadata Survival Guide
Nothing worse than photos losing their dates/locations. Preservation rules:
| Export Method | Preserves Dates | Preserves Location | Preserves Live/Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| iCloud.com | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ (breaks Live Photos) |
| Mac Export Originals | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Google Photos Transfer | ✓ | Partial (often offset) | ✗ |
Parting Wisdom from an iCloud Veteran
After 12 migrations, here’s the truth: how to get photos from iCloud depends entirely on your goal. Need quick copies? iCloud.com. Archiving memories? Use a Mac. Leaving Apple forever? Pay for iMazing. And always triple-check metadata – timestamp errors are irreversible. Apple makes extraction tedious because they want you locked in. Fight smarter, not harder.
Funny story: My first extraction attempt in 2017 ended with 8,000 photos named "IMG_0001.JPG" to "IMG_8000.JPG" – no dates or locations. Don't be 2017 me. Follow this guide.
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