How to Transfer Photos from iCloud to Mac

We love taking photos with our iPhones and store them on Mac and iCloud for preservation. However, if our cherished photos on Mac are lost due to the wrong operation or system crash, how to get them back by exporting from iCloud?

When it comes to transferring photos from iCloud to Mac, normally, we have two choices – one is transferring photos from iCloud Photo Library to Mac, and the other is transferring photos from My Photo Stream to Mac. However, for most of us, we don’t clearly know what iCloud Photo Library or My Photo Stream is, and photos waiting to be transferred are iCloud Photo Library photos or My Photo Stream photos.

To decide which way to go, all you need to do is checking on your device with the following steps:

Go to Settings > iCloud > Photos > Check whether the iCloud Photo Library is on.

If iCloud Photo Library is enabled, you can transfer photos from iCloud Photo Library to Mac, if it is off, you can transfer photos from My Photo Stream. No matter what kind of iCloud photos you want to transfer to Mac, here in this guide you can find what you want.

Part 1. Transfer Photos from iCloud Photo Library to Mac

Photo Library uploads all photos to iCloud and keeps them up to date across devices and you also can get access to them through iCloud.com. To transfer photos from the iCloud Photo Library to Mac, please refer to the two methods below.

Transfer Photos from iCloud Photo Library to Mac Through iCloud Preference Panel

Step 1. Go to iCloud Preference Panel > Click Options next to Photos.

Step 2. Choose Photo Library > Click Done.

Transfer Photos from iCloud to Mac with AnyTrans

Though convenient transferring photos from iCloud to Mac by enabling Photo Library is, this method does have its limitations. What if we just want to save some instead of all iCloud photos to your iMac/MacBook? There, AnyTrans is needed.

AnyTrans is specialized in managing iCloud data. AnyTrans supports transferring iCloud contents to Mac or PC and it is easy to transfer photos from iCloud to Mac with AnyTrans. Second, to that, AnyTrans could also help you delete and edit iCloud contents, like contacts, notes. Last but not least, AnyTrans even allows you to sync iCloud contents to another iCloud account. Here are steps to transfer photos from Photo Library to Mac with AnyTrans.

Step 1. Free Download AnyTrans and launch it on Mac > Click iCloud Manager.

Step 2. Login an iCloud account.

Step 3. Select Photos here > And click Next to transfer.

Part 2. Transfer Photos from My Photo Stream to Mac

My Photo Stream uploads and imports photos automatically to all devices, but only photos were taken recent 3 months, 1000 maximum. Here are two methods for transferring photos from My Photo Stream to your iMac or MacBook.

Transfer Photos from My Photo Stream to Mac by Setting Up iPhoto

Step 1. Click iPhoto > log in to iCloud Account.

Step 2. Click iPhoto on the upper left corner > Choose Preferences.

Step 3. Choose iCloud > Check the box of My Photo Stream.

Transfer Photos from My Photo Stream to Mac with AnyTrans

Step 1. Download AnyTrans and connect your iPhone to your computer.

Step 2. Click the Device icon, choose Photos, and click Photo Stream.

Step 3. Hold the Command key and choose photos you want to transfer, then click the To PC tab.

The Bottom Line

AnyTrans also does a good job of managing data on your iDevices and iTunes. Know more about AnyTrans. If you have any problems, please leave your comment below.