How to only synchronize photos (not videos) with icloud

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Level 1

34 points

How to only synchronize photos (not videos) with icloud

This Q has been asked before, but not lately (after iOS 14) as far as I know. My problem is that the storage on my iPhone is larger than my iCloud plan (50 GBs). I sometimes use the iPhone to record (longer) videos every now and then, but quickly run into a problem; no more space in the sky. The reason obviously being that videos are vastly larger than images.

I do however want to automatically synchronize all photos with iCloud, to me photos are more important than videos and of much smaller file size. Is there a way to exclude videos from automatically synchronizing / uploading to iCloud, while keeping the photos synchronized between all items (iphones, macs, etc.)?

I'm getting a new iPhone this fall, but I see no point in going for the 256 GB option over the 128 GB

since iCloud with my 50 GB plan is the bottle neck (I easily see myself having 50-100 GBs of video...)

Turning off synchronization for photos is not an option... =)

iPhone XS

Posted on Oct 28, 2020 1:22 PM

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Answer 1

lkrupp

Level 7

25,931 points

Oct 29, 2020 10:23 AM in response to Anterialis

A 50GB iCloud plan costs $0.99/mo. A 200GB plan costs $2.99/mo.

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Answer 2

LACAllen

Level 8

43,688 points

Oct 29, 2020 9:04 AM in response to Anterialis

Anterialis wrote:

Thank you for the input.

Doesn’t “optimize phone storage” just optimize the storage on the phone? As mentioned in the first post, I have no issues with local storage (256GB). The problem is iCloud storage (50GB plan)...

Optimizing photos on your device will move all videos to iCloud and leave just thumbnails for them on your device. It will also leave smaller sized photos on your device while the full sized photos are on iCloud.

The end result is all photos and videos are full sized on iCloud and optimized on the phone.

It seems you want the opposite.

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Answer 3

LACAllen

Level 8

43,688 points

Oct 29, 2020 10:29 AM in response to Anterialis

So i guess there is no way to synchronize/backup photos only in iCloud.. Any other tips on how to achieve (close to) what i want? :)

Not using Apple's tools.

IMO, optimizing a cloud storage option makes no sense. It is a disaster recovery option for when you lose your device.

Why store smaller compromised files in a cloud service? Pay the price for peace of mind.

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Answer 4

Anterialis Author

Level 1

34 points

Nov 4, 2020 11:27 AM in response to LACAllen

Thank you. I think the best alternative for me is to download a separate app, which I have. This app stores the videos locally on the phone.

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Answer 5

Anterialis Author

Level 1

34 points

Oct 29, 2020 6:41 AM in response to zinacef

Thank you for the input.

Doesn’t “optimize phone storage” just optimize the storage on the phone? As mentioned in the first post, I have no issues with local storage (256GB). The problem is iCloud storage (50GB plan)...

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Answer 6

Anterialis Author

Level 1

34 points

Oct 29, 2020 10:07 AM in response to LACAllen

Correct, I want the exact opposite. No point optimizing space on the phone, I have four times the storage on my phone as opposed to iCloud. I need to optimize space on iCloud, not the phone...

So i guess there is no way to synchronize/backup photos only in iCloud.. Any other tips on how to achieve (close to) what i want? :)

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Answer 7

Anterialis Author

Level 1

34 points

Oct 29, 2020 11:30 AM in response to LACAllen

Thank you again for the inputs.

I was probably a bit unclear; I don't want to optimize cloud storage by storing "smaller" files, I just want to not save videos there. My picture library is probably less than 10 GB. My video library will probably reach 2-300 GB with ease within the first year. I do not want to pay for a service I do not need. I dont need to back up my videos to the cloud, I just want them to stay on the phone. The videos that are important will be backed up manually by copying them to my NAS/server.

I thank you for coming up with alternative solutions. I don't mean to sound ungrateful, it's not my intention. I guess I should fill out a feedback application to Apple, asking for a solutiong to this. E.g. an option saying "only back up photos, not videos, to the cloud" or "only back up photos/videos marked as "favourites" or something similar.

BTW: Maybe a solution would be to download/purchase a dedicated video recording app? I guess the iCloud backup feature (where you cannot choose which files to back up) is just linked to the Photos app. Do you have a recommendation for a video recording app to download? Keywords: simplicity, elegance, well thought through, feature rich >> price.

Thank you again =)

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Answer 8

LACAllen

Level 8

43,688 points

Oct 29, 2020 11:41 AM in response to Anterialis

should fill out a feedback application to Apple, asking for a solutiong to this. E.g. an option saying "only back up photos, not videos, to the cloud" or "only back up photos/videos marked as "favourites" or something similar.

Feedback for Apple goes here >>> http://www.apple.com/feedback/

I don't have any suggestions for a video storage solution. True disaster recovery dictates the solution be off site. You could have multiple redundant storage options in your home that would get wiped out in a single fire.

It could be a simple as a set of USB drives that you use to backup and then store at another site. Rotate them for convenience.

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Answer 9

zinacef

Level 10

89,158 points

Oct 28, 2020 3:26 PM in response to Anterialis

Anterialis wrote:

Is there a way to exclude videos from automatically synchronizing / uploading to iCloud, while keeping the photos synchronized between all items (iPhones, macs, etc.)?

No. You can consider conserving space on the device by using the Optimize Phone Storage feature -- Manage your photo and video storage - Apple Support.

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How to only synchronize photos (not videos) with icloud

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