Transferring photos from iCloud Drive to iCloud photos app

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Transferring photos from iCloud Drive to iCloud photos app

Hi.

I have tons of photos in my iCloud Drive. I want to move those to the photos app in iCloud because it’s way more convenient. How do I achieve this please. I read a Reddit that I need to follow the following steps to achieve this on an iPad. But I want to do it on my Mac. Hoping someone would be able to help me by confirming the accuracy of the steps of the Reddit or show me the right way.

thank you!!

this is what the Reddit post says:

Yes use the ‘Select’ button in the files app. Choose all the photos you’d like to import. Next hit the ‘Share’ button in the bottom. There will be an option to ‘Save X images’ this will import them into the photos app.

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on May 19, 2021 8:19 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Leanne_68

Community Specialist

May 20, 2021 2:46 PM in response to AshHasan

Hello AshHasan,

It sounds like you want to take photos from your iCloud Drive and put them in iCloud Photos but do this on your Mac.

Here's a resource on this topic. Review "iCloud Drive Files" in Archive or make copies of the information you store in iCloud. Depending on the way you have iCloud set up on your Mac, you can archive or download the photos from iCloud Drive.

If you are signed into this Apple ID in System Preferences and you have iCloud Drive turned on, follow the steps under "Copy files from iCloud Drive to your Mac."

If you do not have this turned on or you want to do it from iCloud.com follow the steps under "Copy files from iCloud.com."
- Note, you are able to select multiple files at once by holding down shift or command.

To put photos into iCloud Photo see Set up and use iCloud Photos.

If you re signed into this Apple ID in System Preferences and you have iCloud Photos turned on, you can drag and drop them or import them into the Photos app Import photos from storage devices and DVDs using Photos on Mac.

If you do not have this turned on or you want to do it from iCloud.com you can upload them from the web browser Upload and download photos using iCloud.com

Hope this information helps.

Have a good day.

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Answer 2

Leanne_68

Community Specialist

May 23, 2021 7:31 AM in response to AshHasan

AshHasan,

Thanks for the additional information. When you are trying to import your photos and nothing happens or only some pictures import, could it be that these photos are already in the Photos app? When in the Import folder, on the top right of your window where it says Showing, see if you can locate the additional photos if you select All Items.

When it comes to iCloud, check out What is iCloud? If you have iCloud turned on for Photos on your Mac, whatever you do on one device, it happens to all devices. So if you delete photos and have iCloud turned on, it will delete the photos from the rest of your devices permanently deleting it. Check out Use iCloud Photos to store photos in iCloud and Delete photos from iCloud using Photos on Mac for more information.

Cheers.

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Answer 3

AshHasan Author

Level 1

12 points

May 21, 2021 2:39 AM in response to Leanne_68

Hello Leanne. Thank you! This has been extremely helpful!

While following the import approach using the photos app on Mac I am at times experiencing 2 issues:

At times the import command isn't being accepted i.e. - nothing happens when I click Import new items.
At times the import is partial i.e. - lets say of 100 items selected 90 gets imported. It becomes extremely difficult to identify which didn't import and why.

Are there any number limitations on how many can be imported at one go? I wouldn't think so as at times 1000+ photos import just fine.

Lastly may be a dumb question: When photos are successfully imported from iCloud to the Photos App - it is okay to delete the iCloud ones right?

Any guidance please?

Regards

AshHasan

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Transferring photos from iCloud Drive to iCloud photos app

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