Am I Missing an iCloud Download Option That Preserves Photo Metadata?

When importing images and movies, Photos grabs internal metadata from them to its database. If the items don't have any metadata (which might the case with scanned images or images from social media such as Facebook, WhatsApp etc), as a last resort Photos grabs the file creation date as the date.

If you the edit metadata (date, location, title, caption, keywords) inside Photos, that info goes to Photos database.

When you export from macOS Photos, you can use File > Export > Export which exports all metadata and pixel edits.

Another option is File > Export > Export Unmodified Originals which exports original imported item. But if you check "Export IPTC as XMP" option, then all metadata edits are exported in .xmp sidecars which you can then copy to originals with GraphicConverter or exiftool.

→ So does either workflow work for you?

But you are right: exporting from iCloud Photos web interface seems to have issues because no matter which export option I choose, no edited metadata is exported. Neither the readily displayed "Download" button, nor via three dots [...] "More Download Options > Including Edits" exports edited metadata -- original metadata is exported no matter what.

So you might send feedback to Apple about this flaw:

Product Feedback - Apple

Anthroman wrote: …When I export from Photos app, the correct, edited metadata is maintained and extractable if needed.

I think that the answer is to not expect iCloud.com to feature full service. The iCloud Photos database has all the information available in Mac Photos, but there are lots of limits on what the web interface can (or will) do. iCloud.com just isn't meant to replace your Mac.

Is there an option for downloading that I'm missing?

The option you are missing is to export pictures using the Mac's Photos app. Using the Photos app on your MacBook is by far the best way to generate individual picture jpgs.

The Mac iCloud Photos database has lots of information (including face names, and cropping and editing steps) that can't be directly exported, at all. So the only way to preserve all of the information in Photos is to copy the entire Photos Library Package to an external drive. Time Machine can use incremental backups to keep the Library copies current.

You need to keep at least 10% of your internal drive free. I've seen trouble on my 1TB MacAir when I went below 15% free. This is real. You may need to offload less-used files to an external drive. However, you shouldn't put your System Photos Library on an external drive if you're using iCloud Photos, as disconnecting and re-connecting can interrupt important background processes.

Optimized storage is a good plan, but the downside is backing up pictures that aren't actually on your machine. Here is a solution for that:

Backup iCloud Photos from an Optimized Mac - Apple Community