Photo resolution reduced / halved when downloaded from icloud

Question

Photo resolution reduced / halved when downloaded from icloud

I'm using an iphone 12 and when my photos are downloaded to the Windows desktop app from the icloud, they all have reduced file size and dimensions. Original photos on my phone are 3024x4032 but when they are downloaded to my PC from icloud they are only 1536x2048. If I email the same photo to myself using 'send as actual size' the photo I get is the correct resolution 3024x4032.

I have 'Most compatible' set in camera format on the iphone. I also have 'download and keep originals' checked in photos on the iphone.

This did not happen with photos from an iphone 6S, they always downloaded at full resolution via the PC app.

Can anyone help please? Is there anything to change in settings to ensure that I get full resolution downloads from icloud?

This is a major problem as I need to be able to easily download full resolution images from my phone and I can't be emailing each and every one of them.

Thanks!

Windows, Windows 6

Posted on Oct 7, 2021 4:09 AM

Reply

Answer 1

1ssmith

Community Specialist

Oct 8, 2021 9:18 AM in response to ParsleyAndThyme

ParsleyAndThyme,

We appreciate the information.

Try these steps:

"On your PC, make sure that you set up iCloud for Windows and turn on iCloud Photos. Open File Explorer. In the Navigation pane, click iCloud Photos, then select the images you want to keep on your PC. Right-click the selection and choose "Always keep on this device." If you use iCloud for Windows 10 or earlier, learn how to download your photos. After the items download, copy them to another folder on your computer. To do this, press and hold the Ctrl key and drag the items to the folder. Include this folder if you back up your computer."

This information is from Archive or make copies of the information you store in iCloud

Another option is to download the photos from the iCloud website.

Kind regards.

Reply

Answer 2

1ssmith

Community Specialist

Oct 8, 2021 6:44 AM in response to ParsleyAndThyme

Hello ParsleyAndThyme,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities! We see you're having an issue with importing full size photos to your PC, and we'd like to help.

To start, please follow the guidance in section "Import to your Windows PC" here: Transfer photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

This explains in more detail if your photos aren't imported in the original, full resolution version.

Take care.

Reply

Answer 3

Oct 8, 2021 8:04 AM in response to 1ssmith

Hi - thanks for helping. I do have iCloud for Windows installed on my PC and I have photos switched on and set to 'download and keep originals' in the settings section of my iPhone. However, it only downloads a lower resolution version to my PC.

I have checked older photos and can now see that it was previously downloading the full resolution version of my photos back in August but for some reason, it now only downloads the lower resolution to my PC, so I suspect something has been changed or there is a bug in one of the latest Apple updates. I'm at a loss to know what to do to sort it out though. I have checked the link you gave me, but I can't see anything about what to do if photos aren't imported in the full resolution version.

If you have any ideas what might be causing it I'd be very grateful for help.

Many thanks

Reply

Photo resolution reduced / halved when downloaded from icloud

Similar questions