what do I need to do to prepare for the end of photo stream

To prepare for the end of My Photo Stream, you have to do two things:

• Find out, if you have to save photos, that might still be in Photo Stream.
• And if you have been using it to sync your devices, find a replacement for it to sync your photos. The recommended replacement is iCloud Photos.

How have you used My Photo stream, if you have used it at all? On a Mac or on a mobile device? In Photos, in iPhoto, or Aperture?

If you have not used My Photo Stream during the last month or so, there is nothing to do.

If you used it on a Mac with Photos for Mac, all Photo Stream Photos will have been saved automatically to your Photos Library on the Mac. This will be different on your mobile devices, as they do not automatically download the Photo stream photos. Do it as described here: Information about the My Photo Stream shutdown - Apple Support

Only, if you used My Photo Stream with Aperture or iPhoto on your Mac, you may need to download the last photos, if you have not enabled the automatic downloads.

Some background information:

• An Ubituary of My Photo Stream - Apple Community
• How to check My Photo Stream in Apertureor iPhoto - Apple Community

See the following Apple Support article for information on preparing for the end of Photo Stream: Information about the My Photo Stream shutdown - Apple Support

You're welcome 😊