Photos and video upload to iCloud

ted400 wrote:

1. I have about 1TB of video and photos I want to move to iCloud. If I do it via the OS app it wants the photos stored either locally or in another folder (local or attached). I don't want that, I want to move them to the cloud in full format.

I have tested a few photos on the web app and it will NOT let me upload them if they are in folders, I need to go into each folder and select the EXACT files- same in the desktop app. This is PAINFUL with 1TB of stuff- there has to be a better way!

My questions:

Is there a way to mass upload to iCloud photo?- what I mean is can I drag the entire directory over and just let the 1TB go at it's own pace?

Yes, but not through the Photos App. You would need to drag them through Finder into the iCloud Drive location there.

2. Will iCloud search for any duplicates like Photos does? I believe there have been lots of "backups" over the years that have duplicated files.

No. This is a function of the Photos app only. iCloud itself will not manage your photos in any way outside of the Photos App.

3. Can I use the desktop Photo App without having to store the photos/videos either locally or on attached storage? Can I just upload in the app and send to the cloud?

No. Using the Photos App and iCloud Photos works as a sync service, which means the photos must exist locally as well.

4. If i upload to iCloud will it be full resolution?

Yes. Any method of uploading to iCloud will maintain the full resolution and quality of the photos. You can then select to Optimize Storage locally and the local copies will be modified to use less space and as such reduce quality, but the copies in iCloud will be full resolution and quality always.

5. If I get close to the 2TB space I own (which i will), how do I get more storage? I heard you could buy another 2TB as someone in your family group and share it and that would add to the family's total storage??

You can subscribe to Apple One Premiere, and keep your current 2TB subscription for a total of 4TB. If using Family Sharing someone needs to subscribe to Apple One, while you retain your own 2TB subscription to get up to 4TB.

click here ➜ What happens to your iCloud storage when you sign up for Apple One - Apple Support

ted400 wrote:

Ok so if I utilize the drag and drop method you mentioned from my local computer to iCloud in the finder how do the phots end up in Photos on iCloud?

They don't. They would be separate. Available in iCloud Drive only.

I don't have a photos folder, do I need to create one?

You can create on in iCloud Drive if you want.

I understand if I drag and drop it will get to "iCloud" and is probably the most efficient way of doing what I am trying to do... but how does it get to iCloud phots and show up in the library?

It doesn't. If you need it to show up in the iCloud Photo Library, and you need to import them in to the Photos App and they will always have a local copy on the device.

If you don't want a local copy, then you can use the iCloud Drive method, but they won't be in the iCloud Photos app then.

In short, you can't eat your cake and have it too.

ted400 wrote:

Thats really pointless then. I was going to switch from Google, but that seems like a really bad idea. Isn't the point of having a cloud solution to be able to utilize virtual storage? I have a 128GB MBAir, that should be all the storage I should need if your cloud worked properly- the cloud is supposed to replace hard storage for virtual storage, and the data should be just as accessible- yours apparently is neither.

This is a user to user forum. We are just other users, not Apple Support. It is not my storage. I do not work for Apple.

Apple's iCloud is a sync service, it is not an off device storage solution nor is it touted as one anywhere.

Google's Drive solution does work this way, you are free to use it as such if it fills your needs.

I guess my idea of going to just Apple based solutions is done- not only does Google sync all of my data (across multiple accounts), it also does not require the data to also be stored locally in order to be utilized (who has 2TB drives these days?- there is no point), and they give you plenty of options on how to SIMPLY download and manage your data, on top of a true cloud based storage and photo app. Why would jump through hoops to be able to manage my own data like what you are saying. I guess I will stick with Google until you all figure out if you really want to be in the computer and storage game or if you also want a functional cloud solution. Right now it seems that you want your cake and eat it too.

Go ahead. If Google works for you, then use Google. We have no investment in you using Apple products for services here. We are just volunteering our time to help out other users.