5 Solutions to Error Downloading Photo from iCloud Photo Library

iCloud is a good way to share and view precious photos, and many people have the habit of backing up photos with iCloud. However, it seems that lots of people have met the same problem an error occurs when they are trying to download photos from the iCloud photo library. If you are one of them, don’t panic! Just read this post to find 5 effective methods to fix the “cannot download photo from iCloud” issue on your iPhone.

Why is There an Error Downloading My Photos from iCloud?

If there was an error while downloading this photo from iCloud Photos, it might be caused by several reasons, including connectivity issues, insufficient storage on your device, or a problem with your iCloud account. Sometimes, temporary glitches in iCloud’s servers or your device may also cause errors.
Having known some possible reasons for the photo downloading problem, let’s explore the methods to fix this troubling issue.

Method 1. Check iPhone Storage Space

When it is unable to download photos from iCloud on your iPhone, the first thing you should do is to check whether storage space is insufficient. When your device doesn’t have enough free space, it cannot store the photos being downloaded, even if they’re available in iCloud. By clearing unnecessary items and files, you can ensure there’s enough room for the photos to download.

Here are steps to check iPhone storage space:

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2. Go to General > iPhone Storage.

Step 3. Check the available storage space.

Step 4. If storage is full, delete unnecessary apps, photos, or files to free up space.

Step 5. Retry downloading photos from iCloud.

Method 2. Sign out/in iCloud Account

Another possible reason for photos downloading from iCloud error is temporary glitches in your iCloud account. Signing out of your account and then signing back in to refresh its settings may resolve these glitches. This method also forces your iPhone to re-establish its connection with Apple’s servers, which can help in resolving syncing errors. This is a straightforward method to resolve a wide range of iCloud-related issues.

Here are steps to sign out of and then sign back in your iCloud account:

Step 1. Open Settings and tap on your name at the top.

Step 2. Scroll down and tap Sign Out.

Step 3. Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off to confirm.

Step 4. Choose to keep a copy of your data on the device if prompted.

Step 5. Sign back in by returning to Settings and entering your Apple ID credentials.

Step 6. Ensure iCloud Photos is enabled by navigating to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos.

Method 3. Restart Your Device

If the methods above don’t work, another thing you could try is to restart your iPhone. Restarting your device clears these temporary glitches, refreshes system resources, and allows processes to start fresh. This method is quick, easy, and worth trying before moving on to more complex solutions. However, this method can only fix some temporary glitches with a lower success rate.

Restart your iPhone X or later:
Press and hold the Side button and either volume button until the power off slider appears > Drag the slider to turn your device completely off > Press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo.

Restart your iPhone 8 or earlier or iPod touch:

Press and hold the Top (or Side) button until the power off slider appears > Drag the slider to turn your device completely off > Press and hold the Top (or Side) button again until you see the Apple logo.

Method 4. Check Network Connection

A stable internet connection is essential for downloading photos from iCloud. When there was an error while downloading this photo from iCloud photos, you should check your network connection to make sure it is stable. No matter If your network is slow, unstable, or disconnected, the download process may fail or stall. If the network is troubleshooting, Switching to a more reliable network can resolve this problem.

Method 5. iCloud Photos Downloading via AnyTrans [Easy & Safe]

If the above methods fail to help you out, the last but easiest solution to fix the error downloading photos from iCloud photo library is choosing a third-party tool to get the job done. Among numerous competitors, AnyTrans stands out for its easy steps and fast photo downloading process. AnyTrans is a professional data manager for iOS devices to download photos from iCloud Photo Library to a computer. With regular updates, this reliable tool supports iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch to the latest iOS 18. The advanced technology of photo transferring will provide you with a seamless photo downloading experience without hassle. AnyTrans can help you fix the “cannot download photos from iCloud” problem effortlessly.

Main Benefits of AnyTrans:

• High efficiency to download over 3000 photos from iCloud in 32 seconds.
• Allows you to view photos in advance to transfer files you want.
• Advanced technology to avoid data missing during transmission.
• Strict privacy policy to guarantee data security and privacy protection.

Follow the simple steps below to download photos from the iCloud photo library effortlessly:

Step 1. Run AnyTrans on your computer > Click on the iCloud Manager option >  Log in with your Apple ID and password.

Step 2. Go to the category management page, select the Photos option.

Step 3. You can Select All to transfer or view all the photos synced to the iCloud server and select the photos you want to download > Click on the Download at the top right corner to export them to the computer.

The Bottom Line

In this article, we mentioned 5 useful methods to help you solve the photo downloading error: checking iPhone Storage Space, signing out and in your iCloud Account, restarting your device, checking your network connection, and using AnyTrans. If your iCloud photos could not be downloaded at this time due to an error, AnyTrans would be the easiest way to resolve your problem. This powerful tool will provide you with an excellent photo download experience with its fast process and simple steps. Free download AnyTrans to enjoy the three-day free trial now!