IHaveAPhotoIssue

Q: iPhone/iCloud sync photo issues

I have an issue with the photos on my iphone. When i look at the "all photos" album it says i have around 8.000 photos, and the same does iCloud.

However, when i try to import the photos to either Mac or PC, only around 3.700 photos are found. How can this be? I want to do a full photo backup, so i can delete most photos to free up some space on my iPhone.

 

I've tried bulk downloading photos from icloud, but this always fails some photos - or i get logged out of icloud. Downloading 300 photos at a time is still 20+ downloads, but some always fail and it is too time heavy to manually check which ones failed.

 

Is there an easier way to download all icloud photos (maybe as a .zip?) or find all photos from my phone?

 

Thanks in advance.

iPhone 5s, iOS 9.3.5

Posted on Sep 19, 2016 7:17 AM

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Q: iPhone/iCloud sync photo issues

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  • by becky_s22,

    becky_s22 becky_s22 Sep 20, 2016 6:18 AM in response to IHaveAPhotoIssue
    Community Specialists
    Sep 20, 2016 6:18 AM in response to IHaveAPhotoIssue
    Hi IHaveAPhotoIssue,

    Welcome to Apple Support Communities! 

    Based on your post, I see that you are having an issue with importing photos from your iPhone and iCloud to your computer. You are seeking an easier way to download these photos from your iPhone to your computer. I completely understand. I often import a lot of photos from my iPhone to my Mac. Let's work together and find the best solution.

    Photos on your iPhone are uploaded to iCloud if you have iCloud Photo Library enabled (Settings > Photos & Camera > iCloud Photo Library > toggle on), which it sounds like you do. If you want to import all of these photos from your iPhone/iCloud onto your Mac, you can use the Image Capture app or the Photos app.

    For Image Capture, please use Image Capture: Transfer images and other items from your device, specifically, this section:

    Transfer images, video clips, and MP3 sounds to your computer from many cameras and devices that contain a camera, such as your iPhone. Once you transfer the items, you can delete them from the device.

    1. Connect your device to your computer, then turn the device on. 

      If the device is locked with a passcode, enter it.

    2. In Image Capture, select the device in the Devices list.
    3. Use the buttons at the bottom of the Image Capture window to view the thumbnails as a list or as icons to change the size of the thumbnails, or to rotate or delete images.
    4. From the Import To pop-up menu, choose where to save the images or which app to use to open the image.
    5. To import only some of the photos, select those photos, then click Import. To import all the photos, click Import All. 

      Choose AutoImporter from the “Connecting this [device] opens” pop-up menu to transfer images from a device to your computer whenever you connect it to your computer.

    6. Select “Delete after Import” to remove the items from the device after transferring them to your computer. You can also select individual items on your device, then press the Delete key on your keyboard.

    For more information about connecting and using your device, refer to the documentation that came with it.


     For help with importing in the Photos app, please see Import photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, specifically, this section: 
     

    Import to your Mac

    You can use Photos for OS X to import photos from your iOS device to your Mac without using iCloud Photo Library. These steps also work for importing images from digital cameras and SD cards. 

    1. Connect your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or digital camera to your Mac with a USB cable. If you're using an SD card, insert it into the SD slot on your Mac, or connect it using a card reader.
    2. You might need to unlock your iOS device using your passcode. You might also see a prompt on the iOS device asking you to Trust This Computer. Tap Trust to continue.
    3. On your Mac, the Photos app automatically opens. If it doesn't, open the Photos app.
    4. The Photos app shows an Import screen with all the photos and videos that are on your connected device. If the Import screen doesn't automatically appear, click the Import tab at the top of the Photos app, or click the device's name in the Photos sidebar.
    5. To import a selection of photos, click the ones you want, then click Import Selected. To import all new photos, click Import All New Photos.
    6. When the import is complete, a message box asks if you want to delete or keep the photos on your device. Click Delete Items to remove the photos, or click Keep Items to keep them on the device.
      If you select Keep Items, you'll have to delete them directly from your device when you want to remove them.
    7. You can now disconnect your device from your Mac. If you imported photos from an SD card or other USB device, safely eject the device first.

    Imported photos appear in the Photos app's Last Import album.

    Photos and videos that you sync from your computer to your iOS device using iTunes can't be imported back to your computer. 

    Learn what to do if you can't import photos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your computer.


    This article also has steps for importing photos into your PC from the Photos app. 

    Have a great day!