How to Fix: Photos won’t Download from iCloud

For Apple users, our photos on iPhone and computer can be synced with iCloud service, and if we sync photos from computer or iDevice to iCloud, then we can view the photos from all iDevices and computers after logging the same iCloud account.

But sometimes, the photos won’t download from iCloud due to unknown reasons. Lots of users have asked the same question: “Why won’t my photos download from iCloud?”.  If you are also stuck on the photos sent via iCloud not downloading problem and do not know how to solve it, please keep reading. We will show you several quick solutions to fix the iCloud photos not loading issue easily, and help you download photos from iCloud without hassle.

Usually, there are two situations: photos won’t download from iCloud to iDevice and photos not download from iCloud to computer. And in the following guide, we will separately show you the corresponding solutions. If you prefer the simplest and quickest solution to fix the issue and download photos from iCloud, just move to Part 2 directly to do the task.

Why Won’t My Photos Download from iCloud

Before we troubleshoot the issue, let’s figure some possible reasons behind it:

• Low Storage Space: Either on your device or iCloud.
• Poor Internet Connection: iCloud sync needs stable Wi-Fi or cellular data.
• iCloud Settings Misconfigured: Ensure photo syncing is enabled.
• Outdated Software: Using an older version of iOS can cause compatibility issues.
• Glitches or Bugs: Temporary issues with Apple’s servers or your device.

How to Fix: iCloud Not Downloading Photos to iDevice

When you find that iCloud won’t download photos or iCloud photos download button greyed out, don’t be panic, if you are searching ways to fix the errors, below are ways!

#1. Turn on iCloud Photo Library

Please check you have turned on the iCloud Photo Library on your iOS device so that you can sync the iCloud pictures to all your iDevices smoothly after logging in an iCloud account, if it keeps on, you can turn it off and then turn on it again. Follow the steps below to turn on iCloud Photo Library:

Go to “Settings” > Scroll down and choose “Photos” > Tap “iCloud Photo Library” or “iCloud Photos”(iOS 12) to turn it on.

#2. Restart Device

Actually, this solution is the simplest way and can apply to fix almost all problems. So don’t forget to fix photos not downloading from iCloud by restarting your iOS device.

Restart your iPhone X or later:

#3. Check Internet Connection

iCloud is a cloud server, and it works well in Internet connection, however, we sync content to iCloud or download iCloud data, the Internet connection is indispensable, so please make sure your iOS device is connected to a stable Internet connection.

#4. Check Storage

If you are stuck in this trouble, you can check whether there is enough storage on your iDevice, you’d better clean some useless data to free up storage for downloading photos.

Go to Settings > Choose General > Tap on iPhone Storage. Clean some useless data to free up storage for downloading photos.

#5. Log Back into the iCloud Account

You can sign out iCloud account and log in again later to check whether the issue will be fixed or not.

How to Fix: iCloud Photos not Loading to Computer

How to react when’ iCloud photos not downloading to PC’?  Here are 3 effective ways, let’s start!

#1. Check Internet Connection

You need to log in to iCloud.com and download photos to your computer, so please keep your computer connected to a stable Internet during the whole process.

#2. Switch to Another Browser

It seems that the issue of photos not downloading from iCloud only occurs in several browsers, like Google Chrome and IE, so you can try to visit iCloud.com with Apple Safari or Firefox and download iCloud pictures.

#3. Restart the Computer

You can restart your computer and try again, it likely will work.

How to Download Photos from iCloud with a Simpler & Quicker Way

If the issue cannot be fixed with the solutions above, or you want an easier method to download your iCloud photos, then this #1 iCloud alternative AnyTrans can be your best choice. It can help you download photos from iCloud to iPhone/iPad/computer in just 1 click. And according to the test, it takes only 32 SECONDS to download over 3000 photos from iCloud. It proves to be quite time-saving and labor-saving.

More than anything, you can select multiple or all the pictures to download from iCloud as your needs.

Now, Free Download AnyTrans on your computer firstly, and then follow the steps below to fix photos not downloading from iCloud.

Step 1. Launch AnyTrans on your computer > Click iCloud Manager > Sign in your iCloud account > Click Photos at the right control panel.

If you have updated your iDevice to iOS 11, your device now takes photos in the HEIC format to save memory space. For users who have installed the iCloud client on Windows PC, when you set up the Photos Options there may come an option that says: Keep high efficiency original if available. If you don’t know much about what HEIC is or meeting any problems about HEIC, you can move to this HEIC Info page for help.

The Bottom Line

With the above solutions, we believe you have fixed photos that won’t download from iCloud issue. And just as you can see, AnyTrans could be the best choice for us to download photos from iCloud. It also helps us manage other iCloud content, like notes, contacts, calendars, and more. If you have further needs of downloading files from iCloud, just try AnyTrans to do the task.