Aloke

Q: Keep iCloud Photo Library but (temporarily) suspend uploads/downloads?

I like and use iCloud Photo Library on my iDevices. I don't want to turn it off and lose all the photos currently on my 6+ etc.

 

I will be traveling abroad for 2 weeks, during which I expect to take a lot of pictures. However, cellular data is really expensive and I want to temporarily suspend the automatic uploads and downloads of pictures without disabling iCloud Photo Library. I can resume normal functions after I return home.

 

Any way to do that?

 

Aloke

iPhone 6 Plus, Windows 7

Posted on May 20, 2015 6:52 PM

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Q: Keep iCloud Photo Library but (temporarily) suspend uploads/downloads?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by FoxFifth,

    FoxFifth FoxFifth May 20, 2015 7:01 PM in response to Aloke
    Level 7 (26,823 points)
    iPhone
    May 20, 2015 7:01 PM in response to Aloke

    Photos apparently upload to iCloud Photo Library only over wi-fi. See the quote below from iCloud Photo Library FAQ - Apple Support

    When you turn on iCloud Photo Library on your iOS device or Mac, your photos and videos will upload after you connect to the Internet with Wi-Fi and your battery is charged.

    The same link states that you can download original photos and videos over Wi-Fi or cellular. There is no mention of photos uploading over cellular.

  • by Aloke,

    Aloke Aloke May 20, 2015 7:05 PM in response to FoxFifth
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iTunes
    May 20, 2015 7:05 PM in response to FoxFifth

    That won't work for me.

     

    I use a WiFi hotspot device abroad.  The device uses a SIM card and provides WiFi to local devices but uses cellular data (expensive) back-end to the cellular provider.  Like a MiFi device.

     

    So, the 6+ sees it as a WiFi connection and proceeds w the expensive uploads/downloads.

     

    Aloke

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 May 20, 2015 7:11 PM in response to Aloke
    Level 9 (50,836 points)
    Desktops
    May 20, 2015 7:11 PM in response to Aloke

    On your iThings, Settings>Cellular>Use Cellular Data For: Switch Photos off.

    IMG_1211.jpg

  • by Aloke,

    Aloke Aloke May 20, 2015 7:20 PM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iTunes
    May 20, 2015 7:20 PM in response to Csound1

    Using the MiFi-like mobile WiFi hotspot device , the 6+ thinks it is using WiFi.  However, I am paying through my nose for the precious bits that actually travel over cellular.

     

    See my previous post.

  • by Aloke,

    Aloke Aloke May 21, 2015 7:13 AM in response to Aloke
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iTunes
    May 21, 2015 7:13 AM in response to Aloke

    It appears that there is no way to suspend iCloud Photo Library uploads (without cancelling the feature and losing all my pictures on my iPhone) while connected to WiFi

     

  • by ToSt,

    ToSt ToSt Sep 2, 2015 3:28 PM in response to Aloke
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 2, 2015 3:28 PM in response to Aloke

    Hey Aloke, did you find a solution, i am facing the exact same issue! Thx

  • by Aloke,

    Aloke Aloke Sep 2, 2015 4:49 PM in response to ToSt
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 2, 2015 4:49 PM in response to ToSt

    Sadly, no.

    I don't think you can suspend iPhoto uploads when connected to WiFi (free or metered).

  • by Pps-eu,

    Pps-eu Pps-eu Jun 29, 2016 7:30 AM in response to Aloke
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 29, 2016 7:30 AM in response to Aloke

    Did you submit to apple demand to fix the problem and provide a way to disable that ******* picture uploads? Overall it already costed me around $1000+ at first it used cellar data by default when I was traveling and taking pictures, it cost me more than using most expensive photographer. This time I use portable mobile hotspot that uses a sim card, originally my intention was to use data for emergency and emails only. Funny ****: after connecting to it within 5 minutes I receive email saying that I had used 95% of my data plan.

    ******* iphone