laceylyn77
Level 1 (4 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Should I use iCloud Photo Library?

I'm not currently using the iCloud Photo Library. I have My Photo Stream and iCloud Photo Sharing selected, but not iCloud Library. I'm interested in using iCloud Photo Library because our computer feels slow and like the memory could be utilized from photos/videos. My iPhone is always out of memory too, I'm always trying to delete photos last minute. I bought extra iCloud memory, so I should have enough space for it.

 

I am nervous about using iCloud. Are my photos safely stored forever? Will doing this open up space on my laptop and on my phone? I've checked out a bunch of other posts, but I'm still confused. Just wanting to make sure

 

MacBook Pro

OS X El Capitan version 10.11.6
Processor 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7

Memory 4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3

Photos Version 1.5 (370.42.0)

 

After posting, I checked this out. This is from my MacBook so maybe this isn't a huge issue?

Screen Shot 2016-09-04 at 9.14.44 PM.png

MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011), OS X El Capitan (10.11.6), null

Posted on Sep 4, 2016 8:17 PM

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laceylyn77

Q: Should I use iCloud Photo Library?

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  • by gail from maine,

    gail from maine gail from maine Sep 4, 2016 8:34 PM in response to laceylyn77
    Level 7 (25,445 points)
    iCloud
    Sep 4, 2016 8:34 PM in response to laceylyn77

    Hi laceylyn77,

     

    iCloud Photo Library is a Syncing service not an Archival service. It has an option to Optimize Photos on your phone and Mac which will do the following:

     

    If you turn on Optimize Storage, iCloud Photo Library automatically manages the size of your library on your device. Your original photos and videos are stored in iCloud and space-saving versions are kept on your device. Your library is optimized only when you need space, starting with the photos and videos you access least. You can download the original photos and videos over Wi-Fi or cellular when you need them. You can use Optimize Storage on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac.


    Here is the FAQs Support article that the quote above came from as well as a help article that may clarify some of your questions:


    iCloud Photo Library FAQ - Apple Support

     

    iCloud Photo Library Help - Apple Support

     

    Be aware that if you delete photos on your iPhone or your Mac, the photos will be deleted from the iCloud Photo Library. Basically, the iCloud Photo Library becomes the "source" library for all of your photos, and any edits or deletions you make on any device or computer attached to that iCloud account with iCloud Photo Library turned on will result in those edits or deletions in the iCloud Photo Library.

     

    Best of luck,

     

    GB

  • by laceylyn77,

    laceylyn77 laceylyn77 Sep 4, 2016 8:44 PM in response to gail from maine
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 4, 2016 8:44 PM in response to gail from maine

    Thank you GB. So using iCloud Photo Library will not open up space on my computer or iPhone, correct? The photos remain on my computer and just sync through iCloud? Why do you purchase extra iCloud space then?

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Sep 5, 2016 1:13 AM in response to laceylyn77
    Level 10 (105,183 points)
    iLife
    Sep 5, 2016 1:13 AM in response to laceylyn77
    The photos remain on my computer and just sync through iCloud?

    There are two ways to use iCloud Photo Library. You can use "Optimize Storage" in the iCloud preferences or not.

    With "Optimize Storage" enabled the large original image files may be replaced on your Mac or iPhone by smaller versions to save storage. This replacement is automatic and happens, if more storage is needed.

    If you use "Optimize Storage", you will need an internet connection, whenever you want to edit a photo or share a photo. Photos will download the originals from iCloud.

    Why do you purchase extra iCloud space then?

    To enable the syncing.  With iCloud Photo Library my photo library is identical all my Macs, and I can see any edits I made on one device on all the others. I can start editing on the Mac and continue editing on the iPad.

    But frankly, I disabled iCloud Photo Library on my mobile devices and keep it only enabled on my Macs, without "Optimize Storage".  Editing and working with my photos is much faster without having to download the originals, and the internal drives on my Macs are all large enough to allow me to store my photos locally. And without "Optimize Storage" I can be assured that Time Machine will always backup the precious original image files. Otherwise I would have to backup the originals separately.  If we delete a photo from iCloud Photo Library, it will be deleted from all devices, and we need a separate backup to recover the photo.