Many iPhone and Mac users enable the Optimize Storage option for iCloud Photos, which automatically uploads full-resolution photos to iCloud while keeping only thumbnail versions on their local devices to save storage space. However, when they attempt to download a large number of iCloud photos to their computer or an external hard drive, they often face issues. For example, selecting 20,000 photos and videos in iCloud to download may result in only a few hundred actually being saved.
If you’ve experienced this issue, this article will guide you through solutions to successfully download a large number of iCloud Photos at once.
How to Download iCloud Photos and Videos
For Mac users: Open Apple Photos -> Go to Settings and select Download Originals to this Mac.
For iPhone users: Go to Settings -> Photos -> iCloud Photos. Select Download and Keep Originals.
Alternatively, you can use the iCloud website: Log in to iCloud.com with your Apple ID -> Select Photos, then choose Unmodified Originals format to download.
Why Can't You Download a Large Number of iCloud Photos at Once?
To prevent accidental mass downloads that could fill up a device’s storage, Apple has implemented a 1,000-photo download limit for iCloud Photos. This restriction makes it difficult to download a large collection of photos in one go.
Download iCloud Photos Without Limits Using Photo Exifer
Photo Exifer is a third-party photo metadata tool designed for managing local photos, iCloud Photos, and photo libraries. It includes a Download Full-Resolution iCloud Photos feature that allows you to download a large number of iCloud photos at once without any limits. Additionally, you can customize the download location, including saving files to an external hard drive.
Steps to Download iCloud Photos Using Photo Exifer
1. Download and install Photo Exifer on your Mac.
2. Open Photo Exifer and go to the Photo Library tab. Click Showing: Undownloaded iCloud Photos to display all iCloud photos that are not yet stored locally.
3. If you want to save photos to an external hard drive or a custom location: Go to Photo Exifer Settings and change the export location.
4. Select the iCloud Photos you want to download (without any limit). Click Quick Action -> Download Full-Resolution iCloud Photos. The download will start, and you can monitor the progress until all selected photos are saved.
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