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I take pictures on my iPhone, and then download on my Mac (Sonoma) via https://www.icloud.com/photos/.
But after I take the picture, it can be ten minutes before the picture actually shows up in icloud/photos. Why? In System Settings/iCloud/iCloud Drive, I have "Sync this Mac" turned on. Why the wait?
iPhone SE, iOS 18
When I need a picture immediately (like when I do screenshots for use here,) I use AirDrop.
Since syncing uses the battery, and since lots of people are very anxious about battery drain, the iPhone will avoid syncing when not plugged in. And since syncing uses processing power, and people hate slow downs, the iPhone will avoid syncing while you use it. And since syncing requires bandwidth, the iPhone will avoid syncing when the internet connection is weak.
So, if you want faster syncing, then find good wifi, plug the phone in, and leave it alone. All this applies to a lesser extent for the Mac.
When I need a picture immediately (like when I do screenshots for use here,) I use AirDrop.
Since syncing uses the battery, and since lots of people are very anxious about battery drain, the iPhone will avoid syncing when not plugged in. And since syncing uses processing power, and people hate slow downs, the iPhone will avoid syncing while you use it. And since syncing requires bandwidth, the iPhone will avoid syncing when the internet connection is weak.
So, if you want faster syncing, then find good wifi, plug the phone in, and leave it alone. All this applies to a lesser extent for the Mac.
It is just a background process that runs on your phone periodically to sync when on battery power to conserve the battery and also performance since the process waits until the device is idle. There is no instant sync button and is much more efficient to batch sync multiple items at the same time instead of each one independently. It has always been that way. If you would find that beneficial for your circumstances to manually sync, then send feedback to Apple here.
It could be for a lot of reasons, from where you are sending from. network traffic, your ISP have network problems to Apple servers and the list could go on. Patience is a virtue in the world of electronics and networking.
That's nuts. I'm syncing ONE PICTURE. Why is Apple deciding for me that's going to drain the battery? Um, I get faster syncing by traipsing over to a plug-in for my iPhone? Um .... That being said, yes, AirDrop is a good strategy that delivers immediately. Thank you.
I can go to https://www.icloud.com/photos/. IMMEDIATELY, so there is no issue with network problems to Apple servers. I go there to find that my picture has not been synced. If patience were a virtue, I wouldn't have a solid and fast internet connection. No, my iPhone is deciding that it simply doesn't need to sync in real time. Bottom line is that sync is not useful for tasks that require promptness.
Yes, so I understand. What precisely is "periodically"? Every hour? Every week?
how to force an iCloud sync on a Mac
