How to backup pictures and videos from iCloud to my Mac

Syncing through the photos app will be easiest. But, you’ll need to disconnect from iCloud and/or create a new library after syncing otherwise images you delete will delete on your Mac too.

this is what I would do:

turn on iCloud Photos on your Mac. Be sure optimize is not enabled. Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support

let the sync happen

Once all of your images are on the Mac, disable iCloud Photos on the Mac. This will allow you to keep the current images in one photo library.

backup your Mac

just remember, if you delete files in iCloud and turn sync back on, you’ll lose files.

OhUhOh Said:

"How do I backup photos and videos stored in iCloud to my Mac and then delete them from iCloud? I want to free up storage in iCloud and these take up 192.5GB. Using iPhone 12 Pro iOS 16.1."

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ownload All of iCloud:

Rather than pay money, save a few and download it directly. Once downloaded, verify you can access it. Once verified, trash what is in there. Use my user tip: Getting a Quick and Direct "iCloud Drive-to-External Hard Drive" Download - User Tip

You can archive photos / videos from Mac Archive or make copies of the information you store in iCloud - Apple Support

And then delete photos / videos from iPhone Delete photos on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support