Photos Won’t Download After Transfer

Photos won’t download


Hello. Yesterday I upgraded from a 14 to a 16. My previous phone had broken but luckily I was able to restore all information to my iPhone 16 because I have iCloud backup always on. I got the notification that the upload finished this morning however my photos have not loaded in. Some of them have, and in no particular order, but a majority haven’t and are not updating. When I go to try and edit or send a greyed out photo, it won’t download.


I know they are all in the cloud so I’m not sure why they aren’t on my phone especially when I do have the setting on that they should be on my phone just in storage optimization mode. Is there anything I can do to rectify this?

iPhone 16, iOS 18

Posted on Feb 19, 2025 9:48 AM

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Posted on Feb 19, 2025 10:07 AM

iCloud Photos is not part of iCloud Backup. If you use iCloud Photos, then having pictures there and also in Backup would be redundant.


You don't say how large your Library is, but it can take quite a while for a Library to download-- days to weeks, depending on size. Not only must the pictures and albums be shipped over the internet, but also thumbnails and previews and the database. And, as the pictures come in, they must be scanned for contextual content, like faces, etc.


Most of this cannot happen while the phone is being used. People like to complain about their batter life, so the iPhone will avoid syncing when not plugged in. And since syncing uses processing power, and people hate slow downs while they play games and watch cat videos, the iPhone will avoid syncing while it's being used. 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. Over night is good.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 19, 2025 10:07 AM in response to BellzJay

iCloud Photos is not part of iCloud Backup. If you use iCloud Photos, then having pictures there and also in Backup would be redundant.


You don't say how large your Library is, but it can take quite a while for a Library to download-- days to weeks, depending on size. Not only must the pictures and albums be shipped over the internet, but also thumbnails and previews and the database. And, as the pictures come in, they must be scanned for contextual content, like faces, etc.


Most of this cannot happen while the phone is being used. People like to complain about their batter life, so the iPhone will avoid syncing when not plugged in. And since syncing uses processing power, and people hate slow downs while they play games and watch cat videos, the iPhone will avoid syncing while it's being used. 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. Over night is good.

Feb 20, 2025 7:23 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

Hi Richard,


I appreciate your response!


It has now been two days and none of the photos have loaded in, they continue to be grey squares with the iCloud indication. Though I recognize I do have a large library, it does strike me as odd that some photos are grey and some are loaded in, many from

the same set of photos.


I have left my phone on WiFi (we have great wifi, 297.28 mbps download speed with minimal devices connected) and plugged in. As I stated, there has been no progress.


Wondering if anyone may have some insight into this?


Thank you.

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Photos Won’t Download After Transfer

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