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Q: Backing up photos and videos to icloud

I have over 400gb of photos and videos on my Macbook Pro. Almost all of them are from 35mm cameras (scanned), old digital cameras, etc. I would like to be able to use iCloud to store and back them up. What is the best suggestion for accomplishing this, or is there a different backup method that might be better? Looking for any suggestions. Thanks! 

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6), Processor 2.7 GHz Intel Core i7

Posted on Aug 28, 2016 10:17 PM

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Q: Backing up photos and videos to icloud

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  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Aug 29, 2016 1:39 PM in response to verylate
    Level 9 (69,850 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 29, 2016 1:39 PM in response to verylate

    See file types in 1st linked article. Other options in 3d link.

     

    Photo Library


     

    Photo Library FAQ


    Cloud Storage Choices

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Aug 29, 2016 2:00 PM in response to verylate
    Level 10 (103,346 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 29, 2016 2:00 PM in response to verylate

    iCloud photo library should not be considered for a primary back up. You should always back up to an external disk.

     

    iCloud photo library is a great tool for many things, even a back up against a total disaster such as a fire or both your computer and external drive being stolen, however when you delete something from your library on your Mac it gets deleted from your library in the cloud and vice-versa, this isn't what you want as a primary back up tool.

  • by verylate,

    verylate verylate Aug 29, 2016 8:06 PM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 29, 2016 8:06 PM in response to Winston Churchill

    Thanks, Winston, for your reply! I'm sorry I wasn't more specific in my initial question. I was actually thinking of using iCloud as a source to access all of my files from any location, but I was thinking of transferring the actual photo and video files to the cloud itself, not using iCloud Photo Library. I keep an external hard drive back up of my files, but would like an easily accessible off-location place to access my pictures and videos. I have found that I don't like iCFL, and the issue you mentioned above is the main reason. I thought iCloud might have been most convenient, as I use all Apple products, and it can be accessed from just about anywhere.

    Thank you so much for your response!  

  • by verylate,

    verylate verylate Aug 29, 2016 8:05 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 29, 2016 8:05 PM in response to Eric Root

    Thanks, Eric Root, for your reply! I'll check these links out! 

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Aug 30, 2016 1:39 AM in response to verylate
    Level 10 (103,346 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 30, 2016 1:39 AM in response to verylate

    but I was thinking of transferring the actual photo and video files to the cloud itself, not using iCloud Photo Library.

    That's easily achieved. You can access the library in the cloud from your web browser at iCloud.com > Photos. Once you have enabled the feature you can add photos by using the 'Upload' button which then allows you to select photos from the Finder.

  • by LACAllen,

    LACAllen LACAllen Aug 30, 2016 9:41 AM in response to verylate
    Level 5 (4,537 points)
    iCloud
    Aug 30, 2016 9:41 AM in response to verylate

    If you are considering iCloud Drive as that source, keep it mind it is a synced folder. It matches a local folder on your Mac as currently designed. You need as much space locally as on iCloud.

     

    This may change with the new macOS Sierra. Stay tuned for that.