You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: rwsimms
rwsimms Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

photos will not turn on in icloud system preferences?

It's very clear... Open sys pref to iCloud, check the photos box, and enter your computer password. The window goes away and the photos box is still unchecked... Until this is resolved the photos collected in iCloud from my iPhone cannot download to my iMac. I've tried "safe mode", tried resetting pram... Just need a hint as to why this is happening, so I can fix it... THANKS


iMac 27″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Jun 29, 2021 8:52 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
197,303 points

Posted on Jun 29, 2021 9:49 PM

Try first to turn on iCloud Photos in the Photos Preferences.

You can only use iCloud Photos, if you have a Photos Library designated as the System Photos Library, and the System Photos Library is located on a compatible volume, that is always available.

  • Launch Photos, if it is not running.
  • If Photos is not opening with the Photos Library you want to use for iCloud Photos, quit Photos again, then hold down the options key ⌥ while launching Photos and select your main library from the library chooser panel.
  • In the Photos > Preferences > General look at the option "Use as System Photos Library". If it is not greyed out, click "Use as System Photos Library" to make this library the System Photos Library.
  • Now you should be able to enable iCloud Photos for this library in Photos > Preferences > iCloud.
  • Then look again at the System Preferences > AppleID > iCloud Photos.


If you cannot make the Photos Library to your System Photos Library, check the location of the library. If it is on an external volume, the external volume should be prepared as described here: Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support

View in context

Similar questions

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
197,303 points

Jun 29, 2021 9:49 PM in response to rwsimms

Try first to turn on iCloud Photos in the Photos Preferences.

You can only use iCloud Photos, if you have a Photos Library designated as the System Photos Library, and the System Photos Library is located on a compatible volume, that is always available.

  • Launch Photos, if it is not running.
  • If Photos is not opening with the Photos Library you want to use for iCloud Photos, quit Photos again, then hold down the options key ⌥ while launching Photos and select your main library from the library chooser panel.
  • In the Photos > Preferences > General look at the option "Use as System Photos Library". If it is not greyed out, click "Use as System Photos Library" to make this library the System Photos Library.
  • Now you should be able to enable iCloud Photos for this library in Photos > Preferences > iCloud.
  • Then look again at the System Preferences > AppleID > iCloud Photos.


If you cannot make the Photos Library to your System Photos Library, check the location of the library. If it is on an external volume, the external volume should be prepared as described here: Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support

Reply

photos will not turn on in icloud system preferences?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up