The iCloud Photo Library is one of those “where have you been all my life” kind of apps. Once you’ve started using it, there’s no going back. The iCloud Photo Library lets you sync your photos across all other devices meaning your precious memories are with you at all times and completely safe should anything happen to your device.
Synchronize your iCloud calendar on your Android device for free. There are no limitations, all features are available for free. No need for transferring your iCloud data to another service anymore. With Sync, you can keep your data stored in iCloud just in case you may wish to switch to an iOS device in the future, or if you do not trust other services. Quickly access other iCloud features. ICloud Drive safely stores any kind of file so it can be accessed in iCloud-enabled apps on iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC. With macOS, users can even access their Mac desktop and Documents folder on iOS.
Before we show you how to set up the iCloud Photo Library and how to access iCloud on Mac, there’s a bit of housekeeping we need you to take care of.
How to keep no junk in iCloud
One of iCloud’s great features is that it automatically backs up all of your photos. So when you’re out happily snapping away with your iPhone camera, iCloud will work in the background to add all of your images to the Photo Library so that you can instantly access them on your Mac when you get home.
However, as you’re going to be setting up the Library for the first time, your Mac will automatically start syncing every image that already exists on your computer to iCloud. There are two reasons why this might not be ideal:
- There are photos on your Mac that you don’t want, or need, uploading.
- The iCloud Photo Library only comes with 5GB of free storage. More storage costs a minimum of $0.99 (USD) a month.
So, before switching on the Photo Library, it’s worth clearing out some of your iPhoto junk. CleanMyMac X lets you do this in a few clicks, using its smart scanning tool to only remove photos that you no longer need, such as pre-rotated or pre-cropped shots.
Here’s how to use CleanMyMac to clean up your iPhoto folders.
- Download CleanMyMac (you can do that here, for free).
- Launch CleanMyMac and click on Photo Junk from the sidebar menu.
- Your default photo library is already pre-selected to be scanned, but can easily be changed by clicking on Change Library.
- Hit Scan.
- Then hit Clean.
That’s it! No more useless photos poised to take up precious iCloud space.
Setting up the iCloud Photo Library
Okay, you’re ready to start syncing your photos. Before turning on the iCloud Photo Library make sure that you’re running the latest version of macOS. You can check for updates by going to Apple Menu > System Preferences > App Store and clicking on the Updates tab. While you’re there, check that “Automatically check for updates” and “Download newly available updates in the background” are selected, this will ensure you never miss a new update. Then, check that you’re signed to iCloud with the same Apple ID that you use across all devices.
To turn on the iCloud Photo Library, go to System Preferences > iCloud. Next to Photos, click Options, then select iCloud Photo Library.
Your photos will now automatically begin uploading to the iCloud Photo Library. Depending on the size of your collection and your internet speed, the process might take some time. Fortunately, you don’t have to upload everything at once. Your Mac lets you pause the upload whenever you like.
To do this, open up the Photos app, select Photos, then click on Moments. Scroll to the bottom of your photos and hit the Pause button.
How to Access iCloud Photos on Mac
The iCloud Photo Library really doesn’t change anything in terms of how you view or manage your photos. To view photos synced to iCloud, open up the Photos app — they’ll all be there, just like before.
The Photos app is also the place to manage your storage space. iCloud offers an “Optimize Mac Storage” feature that stores full-resolution photos and videos in iCloud and keeps originals on your Mac (if you have space). It’s a feature worth using alongside CleanMyMac to better manage your free space. To enable the feature, click Photos > Preferences and select Optimize Mac Storage.
If you decide that 5GB of storage isn’t enough, you can upgrade your plan by going to System Preferences > iCloud > Manage and clicking on Storage Plan or Buy More Storage.
How to access iCloud Photos on an iOS device
While your Mac is likely to be your main hub for organizing and editing photos, your iPhone or iPad is the device you'll use to snap all of those lovely photos.
To access the iCloud from iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Apple TV first you’ll need to turn it on. In iOS 10.3 or later, do this by going to Settings > [name] > iCloud > Photos, then turn on iCloud Photo Library.
In iOS 10.2 or earlier, go to Settings > iCloud > Photos.
On Apple TV tvOS 9.2 or later, go to Settings > Accounts > iCloud > iCloud Photo Library.
Now, iCloud storage access of all photos and videos can be had by using the Photos app.
How to access iCloud drive from a browser
If you don’t have your Mac or iOS device, you’ll be pleased to know that you can also access iCloud from a PC, Android, or Windows device using your preferred browser.
All you need to do is go to iCloud.com and login in using your Apple ID. Once you’re logged in, click on the iCloud Drive button to manage your account in the same way that you would on your Mac.
Keep the photos you need, get rid of the ones you don’t
Enabling the iCloud Photo Library across all of your devices is the best way to organize and manage your photos, and keep your precious memories close to hand at all times. However, you should always be mindful of space. If you shoot as many videos as you take photos, iCloud’s 5GB of free storage can be maxed out fast, leaving you unable to backup media files until you upgrade or delete unwanted photos.
With the Photo Library enabled, make a regular habit of using CleanMyMac to delete unneeded photos and manage space with iCloud’s optimize feature.
CleanMyMac X makes it easy to rid your Mac of old photos and videos to ensure your iCloud Photo Library only syncs the things you need. Download the app for free today.
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Before you begin
You will need to download iCloud for Windows on your PC. Before you do that, you need to set up iCloud on all of your Apple devices. Sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID, then follow the instructions for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch or Mac.
Want to access iCloud's latest features? See the recommended system requirements. iCloud requires an Internet connection. iCloud might not be available in all areas and features vary. If you use a Managed Apple ID, iCloud for Windows isn’t supported.
Set up iCloud for Windows
- Download iCloud for Windows on your PC.
- Windows 10: Go to the Microsoft Store to download iCloud for Windows.
- Earlier versions of Windows*: Download iCloud for Windows from apple.com.
- If it doesn't install automatically, go to File Explorer and open iCloud Setup.
- Restart your computer.
- Make sure iCloud for Windows is open. If it doesn't open automatically, go to Start, open Apps or Programs, and open iCloud for Windows.
- Enter your Apple ID to sign in to iCloud.
- Choose the features and content that you want to keep up to date across your devices.
- Click Apply.
* If you're not sure which Windows system you use, find out.
Download and share your photos
When you turn on Photos, iCloud for Windows creates a Photos folder in File Explorer called iCloud Photos. iCloud Photos uploads new photos and videos that you add to the iCloud Photos folder on your PC so you can see them in the Photos app on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac, and on iCloud.com. New photos and videos you take automatically download from iCloud Photos.
Share your photos
You can also share your photos. Shared Albums lets you view, share, and comment on the photos and videos you share with other people. And if you use the latest version of iCloud for Windows, you can pin photos to keep them local to your device. When you unpin them, they upload to iCloud instead.
Find your photos on your PC
On Windows 10:
- Open File Explorer.
- Click iCloud Photos from the Navigation pane.
Windows 8.1:
- Go to the Start screen.
- Click the down arrow in the bottom-left corner.
- Click the iCloud Photos app.
Windows 8:
- Go to the Start screen.
- Select iCloud Photos.
Windows 7:
- Click the Windows Start button, then click Pictures.
- Click iCloud Photos or Photo Stream under the Favorites menu in the panel on the left.
- Double-click My Photo Stream to view your photos. This also shows up as a folder in the window that appears.
My Photo Stream isn't available on iCloud for Windows 10 or later.
See your files and folders with iCloud Drive
When you turn on iCloud Drive, iCloud for Windows creates an iCloud Drive folder in File Explorer. You can find documents that you’ve stored in iCloud in this folder. When you create a file on your PC and save it to the iCloud Drive folder, it also appears on your other devices.
If you want to work on files with friends or colleagues, you can share individual files or create a shared folder to share a group of files. You can also pin files and folders so you can use them offline, and easily check the status of a download or shared file.
You can also access your iCloud Drive files and folders at iCloud.com.
If you receive an error when you try to move a file from iCloud for Windows, you might need to download the file to your Windows PC. After you download the file, try moving it again.
Keep your apps up to date
To keep your Mail, Contacts, Calendars, and Tasks* updated on your devices, make sure iCloud is set up on your PC, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac using the steps below. If you sign in to iCloud using a third-party Mail app outside of iCloud for Windows, learn how to create an app-specific password.
On your PC:
- Open iCloud for Windows.
- Select Mail, Contacts, Calendars, and Tasks then click Apply.
- You'll see your iCloud Mail account in the folder pane on the left side of Microsoft Outlook 2007 through Outlook 2016.
On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:
- Tap Settings > [your name], then select iCloud.
- Turn on Mail, Contacts, Calendars, and Reminders.
On your Mac:
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Apple ID.
- Click iCloud, then select Mail, Contacts, Calendars, and Reminders.
* On a Mac or iOS device, you see Reminders instead of Tasks.
Manage your iCloud storage usage and account information
Manage your iCloud storage usage
- To see your available iCloud storage, open iCloud for Windows.
- To manage your storage, click Storage. Select an app to see how much storage you're using, or click Buy More Storage to upgrade your storage plan.
If you use iCloud for Windows 10 or later, you can pin files to keep them local to your device. When you unpin them, they upload to iCloud instead.
Manage your account information
If you want to make changes to your Apple ID, including updating your email, mailing address, or other account information, open iCloud for Windows and click Account details. Click Manage Apple ID.
Update your version of iCloud for Windows
In iCloud for Windows 10 or later:
Go to the Microsoft Store to check for software updates.
In earlier versions of iCloud for Windows:
To check for updates, open Apple Software Update on your PC. To get notified when an update is available through Apple Software Update, choose Edit > Preferences, and select when you'd like to check for updates. You can choose Daily, Weekly, Monthly, or Never.
Turn off or uninstall iCloud for Windows
If you turn off a service in iCloud for Windows, your information won't automatically stay up to date in iCloud, and you won't see updates made on your other devices. Follow these steps to turn off a service or iCloud:
Icloud Application For Mac Catalina
- To turn off a service on your PC, Open iCloud for Windows, then select or deselect that service. To save your changes, click Apply.
- To turn off iCloud for Windows, open iCloud for Windows, then sign out.
If you want to uninstall iCloud for Windows, remember to make a copy of your iCloud data and save it on your PC. Then sign out of iCloud for Windows on your PC, and follow these steps:
Icloud For Mac Desktop
Windows 8 or later:
Icloud Application For Mac Shortcut
- Go to the Start screen, right-click in the bottom-left corner or click, then select Control Panel.
- Click Uninstall a Program.
- Click iCloud > Uninstall.
- When asked to confirm, select Yes.
Windows 7:
- Choose Start menu > Control Panel.
- Click Programs > Program and Features.
- Select iCloud > Uninstall.
- Click OK to continue.