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User profile for user: AbeFroman86
AbeFroman86 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

iCloud photo storage size vs downloaded 'icloud photos' size

iCloud is reporting I have used 34Gb for the storage of near 4500 photos, though if I download them via the web interface (in 5 files "iCloud Photos.zip" files (a 1000 at a time) to my PC, the total of the 5 extracted downloads totals 9.3Gb, which also is what my iphone (8plus 256Gb) shows - optimization is turned off.


Under media types 1 video (2.8mb), 18 live photos and 30 screen shots are listed.


Somewhat confused as to the near 400% difference, anyone any idea why this might be the case?


many thanks in advance.

iPhone 8 Plus

Posted on Dec 12, 2020 1:24 PM

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User profile for user: AbeFroman86
AbeFroman86 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Posted on Dec 13, 2020 6:42 AM

Solved it.


Turns out that even though it is documented iCloud will download the images in original form - it doesn't.


In iOS under Settings > Photos at the bottom is Transfer to Mac / PC - setting this to Keep Originals rather than Automatic - enables all the photos shot using TIF rather than JPG to be accessed. So hence where 40Gb is used.


Why I would expect to have to set this on my phone when logged into the iCloud web interface I don't know. The files are in iCloud in their original format... (...well I couldn't find a setting on the web interface)


Apple "we keep it clean and simple" so we have decided you don't need to know; even though the information is available... but guess this way the less you understand how it works the more money rolls in via iCloud storage upgrades.

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User profile for user: AbeFroman86
AbeFroman86 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Dec 13, 2020 6:42 AM in response to AbeFroman86

Solved it.


Turns out that even though it is documented iCloud will download the images in original form - it doesn't.


In iOS under Settings > Photos at the bottom is Transfer to Mac / PC - setting this to Keep Originals rather than Automatic - enables all the photos shot using TIF rather than JPG to be accessed. So hence where 40Gb is used.


Why I would expect to have to set this on my phone when logged into the iCloud web interface I don't know. The files are in iCloud in their original format... (...well I couldn't find a setting on the web interface)


Apple "we keep it clean and simple" so we have decided you don't need to know; even though the information is available... but guess this way the less you understand how it works the more money rolls in via iCloud storage upgrades.

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iCloud photo storage size vs downloaded 'icloud photos' size

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