How to Access iCloud Photo Library on Mac

Accessing your photo library on PC/MacBook shouldn’t be a challenge, however, this isn’t the same for many folks as they often struggle with it. If you fall underneath this category of individuals, this article is here to help you out. Here, we focus on the easiest ways to access iCloud Photos on Mac, and other Apple devices. Windows users aren’t left out. So keep reading!

How Does iCloud Photos Work?

Photos is one of the many data files supported on the popular Apple storage facility, iCloud. This media lets you upload, backup, and restore countless photo files over the cloud without difficulty. It keeps your files safe until you need them, so you need not worry about data security.

When you use iCloud photos, you can always access your image library from any internet-connected device, whether Apple, or not. What this means in essence is that you can always find your photos via macOS, iPhone, iPad, Android, or Windows device.

However, mind you, there’s a precondition that must be fulfilled for you to access these photos:

• You must log in the iCloud account on the corresponding device.
• There must be enough storage space for photos to sync to iCloud. Apple only offers 5GB free. To expand the space, you need to subscribe to premium.

How to Turn on iCloud Photos

For you to find images on your iCloud Photos, you must have allowed your device to sync photos to iCloud. There are several ways to go about this for the different Apple devices, and even Windows.

Find and apply the appropriate guide given down here:

• On Mac

Step 1: On the upper left hand corner of your macOS screen, find the Apple Menu icon and click on it.

Step 2: Next, tap on System Preferences (also known as System Settings on some other macOS).

Step 3: On the next screen, click on your Apple ID, and tap on iCloud on the left sidebar. Once done, select Photos from the options that come up.

Step 4: Now togle the slider next to Sync this Mac to activate iCloud Photos.

• On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch

Step 1: Find the gear icon on your Home Screen, click on it and the Settings panel will automatically come up.

Step 2: Click on your Apple ID [your name] to launch the interface given down here:

Step 3: Locate the iCloud icon and click on it. Select Photos, and toggle the slider next to Sync this iPhone to enable the feature. In no time, iCloud Photos will start working.

• On Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD

Step 1: On your Apple TV, navigate to the Settings panel and tap on Users and Accounts.

Step 2: Next, tap on iCloud, and enable the iCloud Photos button.

• On Windows

The approach for this device is quite different. You need to install iCloud for Windows first. After that follow the steps down here:

Step 1: Launch the iCloud for Windows app, and login to your account using your Apple ID. Once you’ve gained access, click on the Options tab beside Photos.

Step 2: Next, tap on iCloud Photos, and check the necessary boxes to turn on iCloud Photos Library. After that, hit the Done button to complete this step.

How to Access iCloud Photos on Mac

You can access iCloud photos from your macOS device following the stepwise guide given below:

Step 1: Launch the Apple Menu page on your Mac by clicking on the corresponding button. A new interface with numerous icons will pop up. Select System Preferences (or System Settings depending on the Mac version you own) to access the menu page.

Step 2: When the System Preference menu opens, tap on the iCloud option. Next, tick the box beside the Photo icon.

How to Access iCloud Photo on iDevice

Whether you own an iPhone, iPad or iPod, you can always browse your iCloud photo library with ease by following the detailed instructions given below:

Step 1: Head to the Photos app menu by tapping on the corresponding button. Check the image below to confirm which icon you need to click on:

Step 2: Next, locate the Library tab at the bottom of the screen and click on it, so you can view your iCloud images.

Alternatively, you can click the Album tab, which groups your photos into Favorite, Social Media App (Twitter, WhatsApp, Snapchat, etc), People & Places, and more. You can also find Hidden, and deleted photos underneath the Album panel.

How to Download Photos and Videos from iCloud

Downloading photos and videos stored on iCloud is a stress free task to engage in, and there are several ways to do that. However, we will focus on one here, which involves the Settings menu page:

Step 1: Head to the Settings pane by tapping on the gear icon appearing on your iPhone, or iPad home screen.

Step 2: Next, click iCloud > Photos. Toggle the icon next to iCloud Photos right to activate it. After that, select Download and Keep Originals, so all photos on the iCloud account are transferred to the iDevice.

How to View iCloud Photos on PC/Mac

Accessing iCloud photos on a computer system got easier with the development of iCloud management software like AnyTrans. This software is one of the most sophisticated iCloud photo management tools available online presently. With the easy-to-manage interface, you can easily view, and/or export your photos from iCloud.

Besides iCloud data management, you can also use AnyTrans for data migration purposes, as it lets you transfer photos, apps, videos, and other Apple-related data between iOS devices, and from iPhone to Android. Additionally, it supports data backup. AnyTrans helps you store data safely offline.

Step 1. Download AnyTrans and launch it on PC > Click on iCloud Manager tab > Sign in to your iCloud account (Apple ID).

Step 3. Locate the Download icon at the top panel, and click on it to import on your computer system. AnyTrans will act according to your command. Wait for download to complete, then disconnect from iCloud.

How to Access iCloud Photos in Browsers

You can access iCloud photos from browsers:

Step 1: Open a web browser on your mobile device, or computer system (any operating system), and enter icloud.com in the search bar.

Step 2: An interface with empty fields where you enter your Apple ID and the corresponding password will come up. Type the details correctly in the given fields, and hit the Sign in button to gain access.

Step 3: Next, proceed to where you have the Photo icon and click on it. Choose the images and videos you will like to download, then click on the More tab.

Step 4: Once done, some icons will immediately come up. Tap on Download to export the selected files to your gallery.

A verification prompt will come up. Kindly click Download again to confirm your action.

FAQs

How to fix common syncing issues?

Sometimes the photos and video captured on your iPhone, or iPad don’t automatically store in the Photos apps, which means you won’t find them on your Mac computer. When such happens, you need not panic, it is just a common syncing issue that you can fix.

Here are some troubleshooting techniques to fix this:

• Ensure you have a strong data network connection. iCloud won’t sync photos to its storage facility if your network connection is slow.
• Make sure your phone has enough battery life.
• Frequent opening, and closing of Photos app on your Mac, and iDevice. This would help clear the bugs causing the syncing issue.
• Ensure the iCloud Photos feature is activated, so your images and video files are automatically backed up.
• Ensure your iCloud storage space is large enough for syncing. If it isn’t, kidney purchase from Apple.

Why can’t I see my iCloud Photos on my Mac?

Your iCloud photos won’t comes up or show on your Mac computer system for the following reasons:

• You logged in a wrong iCloud account.
• Insufficient iCloud storage space to sync iCloud photos.
• Poor data network connection, which restricts iCloud from syncing photos.

Final Words

With this article at your disposal, no more struggling to access iCloud photo library on your Mac computer, Windows, iPhone, iPad, or Android. The article reveals the different ways to enable your iCloud account to sync photos to its storage system, and how to access the corresponding images. Which technique will you apply? Our best option is one with the AnyTrans software program. It’s worth trying out!