Can a Mac photo library automatically upload to iCloud Photo Library even when not switched on on the Mac?

Question

Can a Mac photo library automatically upload to iCloud Photo Library even when not switched on on the Mac?

If someone turns iCloud Photo Library on on both their iPhone and iPad for the first time, will the photos from the Mac running 10.10.5 (with the same apple ID and iCloud account) automatically upload to iCloud Photo Library if they don't turn it on on the Mac? Or does the Mac need to also have iCloud Photo Library switched on for the photos from the Mac to be uploaded to the iCloud Photo Library?

Asking for a family member whose 2009 iMac running 10.10.5 just took a crap. We're trying to figure out whether or not they need to pay someone to rescue their photo library. If the Mac's photos were automatically uploaded, then they're just writing it off. Unfortunately we can't check on the Mac ourselves to see whether or not that is the case.

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), 27" late 2009

Posted on Aug 25, 2017 9:35 PM

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Answer 1

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LACAllen

Level 8

43,416 points

Aug 25, 2017 11:38 PM in response to obscene_geometry

will the photos from the Mac running 10.10.5 (with the same apple ID and iCloud account) automatically upload to iCloud Photo Library if they don't turn it on on the Mac?

No. Not enabled is not enabled. On the Mac, you have to connect a photo library as part of using Photos for the first time.

Have you checked aye iCloud.com for the Apple ID in question?

If by some chance it was unknowingly enabled, you would see the Mac's photos on icloud.com.

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Answer 2

Aug 26, 2017 12:28 AM in response to LACAllen

Thank you, I assumed that would be the case but needed a definitive word on that.

I can see all the iCloud Photo Library photos on their new Mac (just from iPhone and iPad); would iCloud Photo Library on iCloud.com show any different/additional info?

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Answer 3

LACAllen

Level 8

43,416 points

Aug 26, 2017 12:31 AM in response to obscene_geometry

The Photos "app" on icloud.com, when accessed using the same Apple ID, should be the same content as on a Mac, iPad, iPod, iPhone with the same Apple ID etc.

iCloud Photo library is a syncing service, where the photo content is kept synced between subscribed devices.

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Answer 4

LarryHN

Level 10

106,110 points

Aug 26, 2017 5:41 AM in response to obscene_geometry

ICPL only works on devices that it is enabled on - and with Photos it only syncs when the Mac is powered, awake and on the internet

You need to restore a local backup of the failed computer's Photos Library

To the extent that the photos they want are on iCloud.com when they create a new system library on a new Mac and log into iCLoud the photos on iCLodu.com will be downloaded to th eMac

LN

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Answer 5

Eric Root

Level 10

684,039 points

Aug 26, 2017 12:28 PM in response to obscene_geometry

Reopen Photos with the option/alt key held down and create a new system Library. See if the photos from iCloud.com/Photos will download to the new Library.

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