You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: jla930
jla930 Author
User level: Level 2
168 points

iCloud syncing photos - what is the effect?

I was going to buy a flash drive with a USB-C connector and a Lightning connector, so I could transfer photos back and forth between my iPad Pro (3rd gen) and iPhone 13 Pro Max. But then I thought about iCloud. Reading about it says it will sync photos across the devices. But here’s the thing. My iPhone and iPad have completely different pictures in the Apple Photos app. I want to keep them all. I don’t want to sync across the two devices and end up losing any pics. What happens if I turn on iCloud syncing?


iPad Air 2, iPadOS 14

Posted on Oct 10, 2023 2:59 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: LotusPilot
LotusPilot
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
289,466 points

Posted on Oct 10, 2023 3:43 PM

If you have not enabled iCloud Photos, each device will maintain a separate/independent Photo Library on each device.


When you enable iCloud Photos on both iPad and iPhone, photos on each device are synchronised via iCloud. Both devices will have all photos from both devices. As you add photos, they will appear on both your iPad and iPhone - and in addition, can be accessed from anywhere using a web browser. Note that deletions will also be synchronised; deleting an unwanted photo from one device will delete from both devices - and from iCloud.


Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support

View in context

Similar questions

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: LotusPilot
LotusPilot
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
289,466 points

Oct 10, 2023 3:43 PM in response to jla930

If you have not enabled iCloud Photos, each device will maintain a separate/independent Photo Library on each device.


When you enable iCloud Photos on both iPad and iPhone, photos on each device are synchronised via iCloud. Both devices will have all photos from both devices. As you add photos, they will appear on both your iPad and iPhone - and in addition, can be accessed from anywhere using a web browser. Note that deletions will also be synchronised; deleting an unwanted photo from one device will delete from both devices - and from iCloud.


Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support

Reply

iCloud syncing photos - what is the effect?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up