Replace low resolution iCloud backup videos with originals?

Good afternoon Ornery1

It might be helpful for you to speak with an AppleCare technical advisor about this issue. Click the link below, choose the phone number for your region from the list, and call when it is convenient.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

Take care.

Hello Ornery1,

It looks like you joined the Apple Support Communities from a good page. We have one as well that may help you with the answers you're looking for.

Check out this page: Get help with iCloud Photos - Apple Support. Here are a few details from that page:

How do I turn off iCloud Photos on only one device?

You can turn off iCloud Photos on a single device when you follow these steps:

- On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos, then turn off iCloud Photos.

- On your Mac, open the Photos app, then choose Photos > Preferences, then click iCloud, then deselect iCloud Photos.

- On your Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD, go to Settings > Accounts > iCloud. Under Photos, press Select to turn off iCloud Photos.

If you have Optimize Storage turned on, you might not have all of your original photos and videos on your device. To download the original photos and videos on your iOS device, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos and select Download and Keep Originals. On your Mac, open Photos, choose Photos > Preferences, then click iCloud, then select Download Originals to this Mac. Keep your device plugged in to power and connected to the internet. After your originals download, you can turn off iCloud Photos. You can also select the photos and videos that you want to download from iCloud.com.

Before you turn off iCloud Photos, you might want to make a copy of your photos and videos.

How do I remove all iCloud Photos content from iCloud and my devices?

To turn off your iCloud Photos everywhere, follow these steps:

- On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Photos, then tap Disable & Delete. 

- On your Mac, go to Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Apple ID. Choose iCloud, then click Manage. Select Photos, then click Turn Off and Delete. 

If you change your mind, follow the steps above on your device then select Undo Delete. 

Photos and videos are stored in your account for 30 days. To download your photos and videos on your iOS device, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos and select Download and Keep Originals. On your Mac, open Photos, choose Photos > Preferences, then click iCloud, then select Download Originals to this Mac. You can also select the photos and videos that you want to download from iCloud.com.

We hope this information helps you out.

Cheers!

Hello Ornery1,

We'd be happy to provide some guidance. There is a big chance that you're seeing low photos and videos resolution on your iPhone because you have "Optimize iPhone Storage" feature turned on your iPhone. With this feature turned on, smaller, space-saving photos and videos are kept on your iPhone while original, full-resolution versions are stored in iCloud.

To get started, let's check if this feature is turned on by going to: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos.

If you would like to turn it off so you'll have full resolution photos and videos on your iPhone, you'll have to have enough storage on your iPhone. With that being said, can you go to: Settings > General > [Device] Storage, and tell us how much free storage is available there?

If you have enough storage, then you can go to: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos, and select "Download and Keep Original".

Keep in mind that if you don't have enough storage on your iPhone, there is no way to increase it as each device comes with a fixed amount of storage, on the other hand, you can upgrade your iCloud storage if you needed more space on iCloud.

The following links explained how this works, and the difference between the device storage, and iCloud storage:

Manage your photo and video storage

How to check the storage on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

What’s the difference between device storage and iCloud storage?

We hope this information is useful. Kind regards.

Thanks for the additional information, Ornery1. We're happy to help!

Regards.