How to force iCloud Photos Sync

Whenever I snap photos there was a frustrating hiatus between the HiRes iPhone11ProMax 'syncing' to iCloud, and that of my MacBookPro, which often hung for hours without updating Photos.


I followed some threads here, and found a way that was never clearly stated. This will save you time and sanity.


To force Photos to sync with iCloud on your Mac:


  1. Drag any image into your photos library on your Mac
  2. This triggers the upload/download protocol in Mac Photos to UPsync
  3. The DOWNsync starts automatically when your 'new photo' has been added to the cloud.


The Workaround, in a nutshell, to 'force' a download, start by uploading a photo to your iCloud (from your Mac) and Photos will then download whatever new items may be in the cloud.


Note to Apple... an "Update Now" button in the Desktop App's Library would be amazing :-)

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 12.7

Posted on Aug 2, 2024 3:21 PM

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Aug 2, 2024 8:34 PM in response to MacStopThievingPlease

If you moved your photos from lets say your Downloads folder to Photos, all you have to do ir right click onthem and click Share. When the menu appears click on Move to Photos. If you are connected to iCloud the photo will up loaded to iCloud. No forcing.


iPhone User Guide - Apple Support (CA)


iCloud User Guide - Apple Support (CA)


macOS User Guide - Apple Support (CA)


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How to force iCloud Photos Sync

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