Max # of pictures in a shared photo stream - Data usage?

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Level 1

6 points

Max # of pictures in a shared photo stream - Data usage?

Is there a limited number of pictures you can put into a shared photo stream. I know with the regular its 1k, is that the limit for the shared ones as well. Or can I create a photo stream with my entire photo library and have it all backed up on icloud.

Seperately how much data does shared photo streams use. Is it essentially downloading/uploading every photo to each device even over cellular connections. Its not a huge deal, but I'd rather not use up my data because a friend dropped 500 pictures of their dog into a shared stream. (But I do like dogs) Also does it take up space on your phone or is it all just held at the cloud level and you are essentially downloading it each time you look at it?

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Sep 24, 2012 11:49 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 24, 2012 11:54 AM in response to KB22

Shared photo stream photos count towards your photo stream limit of 1000 photos. They do not have their own independent maximum numbers.

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Answer 2

KB22 Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 24, 2012 11:57 AM in response to Winston Churchill

Does that mean if I set up a shared photo stream with a friend I could dump my entire library in there and it would be uploaded and accessible on icloud? I am talking upwards of 20k or so pictures. Obviously this isn't an ideal storage/backup solution, more a theoretical question.

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Answer 3

Sep 24, 2012 11:58 AM in response to KB22

No, you can only have up to 1000 photos in photo stream. That includes all the photos combined from "my photo stream" and any shared albums that you have created.

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Answer 4

pvonk

Level 6

13,851 points

Sep 24, 2012 12:00 PM in response to KB22

According to Apple's documentation, there's no limit (I still find that hard to accept, but they have said so). You mention using is as a backup - NEVER rely on icloud for backing up photos, ALWAYS sync then to a computer for safekeeping and storage, as you would save photos from a camera. Too many users have lost photos performing restores from an icloud backup.

Apple's docs indicate that shared photo streams do not count towards your icloud storage limit (also hard to believe, but there you go). Friends cannot add photos to your stream, they can only make comments.

icloud stores the photos and downloads them individually when you tap on a thumbnail pic. Note that you have no control over the sorted appearance of the photos.

http://www.tuaw.com/2012/09/20/ios-6-shared-photo-streams/

http://www.apple.com/ios/whats-new/#photostream

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Answer 5

Sep 24, 2012 12:07 PM in response to pvonk

It says they don't count against iCloud storage, I think you are misinterpreting it.

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Answer 6

KB22 Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 24, 2012 12:12 PM in response to pvonk

All of my pictures automatically are downloaded on my computer and backed up there with time machine. This was more of a, "what if a fire wipes out my computer" double/triple backup kind of idea. Also if they are not stored on my device and just downloaded when I click the thumbnail this would be a way to have access to my entire 60 gig photo library anywhere. Again I know that's overkill and not a real world problem, but more out of curiosity.

On a side note I think its crazy that friends can't add pictures to the stream. I thought that was the entire point, being able to have joint albums and comment on them with your friends/family.

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Answer 7

Sep 24, 2012 12:15 PM in response to KB22

If you want to have another level of back up, use something like Dropbox.

i don't think allowing others to add photos to their shared albums is everyone's cup of tea.

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Answer 8

KB22 Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 24, 2012 12:22 PM in response to Winston Churchill

I would be surprised if apple let me upload 60 gigs of pictures to their servers for nothing, but thought it was worth asking. I use drop box as well, but the costs there is more than my cheap self was looking to pay.

I can see not wanting to give total control to anybody, but just surprised the option isn't there. Also as the "administrator" of the stream you could delete any pictures you want or the entire stream. Doesn't seem like a big issue.

I don't know how Samsung's photo sharing works but I like the idea of a more automatic sharing between friends at the same event or whatever.

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Answer 9

DarrenUK

Level 1

14 points

Sep 24, 2012 1:20 PM in response to KB22

There is no limit on how many photos can be stored/shared and they will stay in the shared folders forever or until manually deleted.

The only restrictions are you can only upload up to 1,000 photos per hour, 10,000 photos per day.

Apple source: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4858

Enjoy!

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Answer 10

Sep 24, 2012 1:37 PM in response to DarrenUK

There is nothing in that article that suggests there is no limit to what can be stored in iCloud, only how quickly it can be uploaded.

I haven't seen anything that says the 1,000 photo/30 day limit has been changed, unless you have seen something somewhere, I have to assume it still applies.

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Answer 11

pvonk

Level 6

13,851 points

Sep 24, 2012 1:43 PM in response to Winston Churchill

Apple's doc: "And you can share as much as you want"

I've also come across the statement that there is no limit to the number of photos in other Apple pages. Yes, I realiaze that doesn't make sense. But....

One source to read:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/shared-photo-streams-go-live-for- ios-6-mac/

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Answer 12

pvonk

Level 6

13,851 points

Sep 24, 2012 1:40 PM in response to Winston Churchill

Apple docs have also said there is not time limit - again, hard to believe.

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Answer 13

Sep 24, 2012 1:44 PM in response to pvonk

Have you got a link to where it states this.

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Answer 14

DarrenUK

Level 1

14 points

Sep 24, 2012 1:55 PM in response to Winston Churchill

In the article http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4858 it states:

There is no limit to the amount of photos you can upload to Photo Stream over longer periods (such as several months or years). Photos uploaded to Photo Stream are not counted against your iCloud Storage.

This implies to me that unlimited photos can be stored.

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Answer 15

pvonk

Level 6

13,851 points

Sep 24, 2012 2:03 PM in response to Winston Churchill

I've been searching for the web pages I had run into this morning, but can't find them now. In reading many sites, it seems this issue is not settled, so perhaps I've been reading and spreading the rumors. I'm still searching.

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