Easy Guide: Downloading Photos from iCloud to Your Computer

This guide will show you how to download photos from iCloud in two ways:

  1. Download selected photos (only the ones you choose).
  2. Bulk download all photos (or large groups at once).

Instructions are included for Mac and Windows PC.


1. Download Selected Photos from iCloud

On a Mac

Using iCloud.com (Web Browser Method)

  1. Open Safari (or another browser) and go to iCloud.com.
  2. Sign in with your Apple ID.
  3. Click Photos.
  4. Select individual photos:
    • Click on a photo to select it.
    • To select multiple photos, hold Command (⌘) and click on each photo you want.
  5. Click the Download icon (cloud with a downward arrow).
  6. Your photos will be saved in your Downloads folder.

Using the Photos App

  1. Open the Photos app on your Mac.
  2. Select the photos you want.
    • Click on a photo to select it.
    • To select multiple photos, hold Command (⌘) and click on each photo.
  3. Click FileExportExport Unmodified Originals.
  4. Choose a local folder to save the photos.

On a Windows PC

Using iCloud.com (Web Browser Method)

  1. Open Google Chrome, Edge, or another browser and go to iCloud.com.
  2. Sign in with your Apple ID.
  3. Click Photos.
  4. Select individual photos:
    • Click on a photo to select it.
    • To select multiple photos, hold Ctrl and click on each photo.
  5. Click the Download icon.
  6. Your photos will be saved in your Downloads folder.

Using iCloud for Windows

(Requires installing iCloud for Windows—see instructions in the bulk download section below.)

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Go to iCloud PhotosDownloads.
  3. Find the photos you want and copy them to a local folder.

2. Bulk Download (All Photos or Large Groups)

On a Mac

Using iCloud.com (Best for Bulk Download)

  1. Open Safari (or another browser) and go to iCloud.com.
  2. Sign in with your Apple ID.
  3. Click Photos.
  4. Select all photos:
    • Click the first photo, then hold Shift and click the last photo.
    • Or press Command (⌘) + A to select all photos.
  5. Click the Download icon.
  6. Your photos will be saved in your Downloads folder.

Using the Photos App (Best for Downloading All Photos to Your Mac)

  1. Open the Photos app on your Mac.
  2. Make sure iCloud Photos is enabled:
    • Click PhotosSettings (or Preferences).
    • Go to the iCloud tab and check iCloud Photos.
  3. Click Library (left sidebar).
  4. Press Command (⌘) + A to select all photos.
  5. Click FileExportExport Unmodified Originals.
  6. Choose a local folder to save them.

On a Windows PC

Using iCloud for Windows (Best for Bulk Download)

  1. Download & install iCloud for Windows:
  2. Enable iCloud Photos:
    • Sign in with your Apple ID.
    • Check Photos and click Options.
    • Make sure iCloud Photos is turned on.
    • Click Apply.
  3. Download all photos:
    • Open File Explorer.
    • Go to iCloud Photos (left sidebar).
    • Click DownloadsDownload Photos and Videos.
    • Select All Photos and click Download.
    • The photos will be saved in Pictures > iCloud Photos.

Using iCloud.com (Alternative for Bulk Download)

  1. Open Google Chrome, Edge, or another browser and go to iCloud.com.
  2. Sign in with your Apple ID.
  3. Click Photos.
  4. Select all photos:
    • Click the first photo, then hold Shift and click the last photo.
    • Or press Ctrl + A to select all.
  5. Click the Download icon.
  6. Your photos will be saved in the Downloads folder.

Final Notes

  • If you have many photos, using the Photos app on Mac or iCloud for Windows is the best way to get them all.
  • iCloud.com limits how many photos you can download at once. If you have thousands of photos, download in smaller groups.
  • If you have optimized storage enabled on your Mac, some photos may be stored in iCloud and not on your Mac. Use Export Unmodified Originals to get full-quality versions.

About the image

Apple mejora la seguridad de sus dispositivos en iCloud” by iphonedigital is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

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