Optimized photos - how do they work online vs offline?

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Level 1

8 points

Optimized photos - how do they work online vs offline?

Hi, I'd like to understand how the resolution of my optimized photos work. I restored my optimized photos onto my new iPhone 12 Pro. The quality is really bad when I'm outside (using 5G). However, with WiFi, the pictures are clear and crisp! Moreover, I noticed that when I view/zoom a photo with WiFi, it will stay sharp afterwards even when I switch off WiFi and go on 5G.

So, how do they actually work? What's a good way to make them all sharp even when not on WiFi (or turning on mobile data) aside from viewing my tens of thousands of photos one by one to make them high-res?

Can someone enlighten me please? Thank you!

iPhone 11 Pro

Posted on Oct 24, 2020 6:39 AM

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Answer 1

chocubu Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 24, 2020 10:02 AM in response to FoxFifth

Hello. Thanks for the reply, but my question is how the resolution works even when I do not keep originals. With WiFi on, I can view certain photos and keep them high-res even after switching out of WiFi. How does that work? Do you know?

My hypothesis is that if I view all my photos one by one, they will be high-res even without WiFi and without downloading/keeping originals.

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Answer 2

FoxFifth

Level 10

475,431 points

Oct 24, 2020 9:49 AM in response to chocubu

If you want them all at full resolution on your phone and if you have the space, turn on Settings > [username] > iCloud > Photos > Download and Keep Originals.

For more information on optimization see the "Save space on your device" section of Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support and note the following from there:

If you turn on Download Originals, iCloud Photos keeps your original, full-resolution photos and videos in iCloud and on your device.

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Answer 3

FoxFifth

Level 10

475,431 points

Oct 24, 2020 10:31 AM in response to chocubu

chocubu wrote:

...

My hypothesis is that if I view all my photos one by one, they will be high-res even without WiFi and without downloading/keeping originals.

Possibly and possibly not. It depends on the available space on your phone. Photos are automatically optimized and Apple has not published in-depth details beyond the following from Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support

If you turn on Optimize Storage, iCloud Photos automatically manages the size of your library on your device. Your original photos and videos are stored in iCloud and space-saving versions are kept on your device. Your library is optimized only when you need space, starting with the photos and videos you access least. You can download the original photos and videos over Wi-Fi or cellular when you need them. You can use Optimize Storage on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac.

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Optimized photos - how do they work online vs offline?

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