How do I control uploads and downloads?

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Level 1

40 points

How do I control uploads and downloads?

I have a data use problem because of a data cap on my ISP. How can I tell my devices when to upload and when to download photos with iCloud and, regarding downloads which photos? The only control I'm aware of is turning iPhoto off in the cloud preferences. When I turn it back on, hoping to update with the photos since it was last on, I get a message that 7000+ photos are downloading. OTOH, if I leave it on all the time the 50 photos taken to get a good one are all uploaded and then again downloaded to all devices. That busts my data cap real quick.

I want to tell my phones when to upload and and my iMac to download the full picture on my computer only when I ask for it. Can that be done? Should I switch to dropbox? another photo system?

A related question; when I'm browsing the photos in iCloud how much data is used to view one picture? I assume it's not the full 2-4MB that is stored in iCloud, but how much?

iMac, macOS High Sierra (10.13.1), iMac late '09

Posted on Dec 17, 2017 5:58 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

LarryHN

Level 10

106,110 points

Dec 18, 2017 12:02 PM in response to Geoff K

iCloud Photo library i(which I use) s the seamless way to keep all libraries in sync but i]when to upload or what to upload is not optional, it is all or nothing

iCloud Photo Library - Apple Support

MyPhotoStream (I do not use MPS) does not sync libraries but does download all new photos

iCloud: My Photo Stream overview

iCloud Photo Sharing is for sharing reduced quality photos with others

iCloud Photo Sharing - Apple Support

LN

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Answer 2

Geoff K Author

Level 1

40 points

Dec 17, 2017 8:25 PM in response to LarryHN

iPhoto 3.0 (3231.11.210). Are all those #s in paras part of the version? I just updated to High Sierra a few weeks ago. It is 10.13.1. Using iCloud 50GB level. I have 16.5GB of photos in there, about 28GB total. I use it to sync mail and calendar also.

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Answer 3

LarryHN

Level 10

106,110 points

Dec 18, 2017 12:03 PM in response to Geoff K

Ok - so you have Photos not iPhoto as you stated - two totally different programs - I will request your post be moved to the correct forum

what iCloud services are you using?

And we still need your iCloud settings on each device

The way you control uploads and downloads is by using the correct iCloud settings so we need to know yours

And you are one update behind - in the App store update to High Sierra 10.13.2

LN

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Answer 4

Geoff K Author

Level 1

40 points

Dec 18, 2017 6:59 AM in response to LarryHN

By settings you mean the settings in the iCloud in System settings? On the iCloud page I use the Photos to turn photos on and off. I have assumed that stops/starts the uploading and downloading of my photos? Under options I use the top box only, "iCloud photo library." But... when I looked at it today the "iCloud photo sharing" was on also. I don't know how or why I turned it on. When I turned it off the "Photo" box on the main page turned off also. (The minus sign appeared.) The phones have "iCloud Photo library" clicked on and "Optimize iPhone storage" clicked on.

Sorry about the confusion with the Photos/iPhotos. Which forum am I in now? It looks the same.

I'm behind on the system update because of my data cap. I've turned off auto update and, when I know there is an update available I'll get up at 0300 and download it. I have "free" data use from 0300 to 0600. Unfortunately the App Store doesn't give the size of the updates until I've asked to download. It's confusing and a major pain. Do I do any harm if I start an update and cancel if the size is too big? The data cap is 12GB. Plenty for normal use but a 1 GB download uses 2 ½ days of data. A few of those and my digital month is shortened.

My goal is to upload photos as I take them. (Most are taken away from home.) Have them in an easy to find and search site. Download only when I want to print or email a photo.

Geoff

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Answer 5

Geoff K Author

Level 1

40 points

Dec 18, 2017 12:15 PM in response to LarryHN

Well, that answers my question. I can't use iCloud photo library for my needs. Do you know of any other programs/mechanisms that might serve?

How about this? Could I leave Photo sync with iCloud turned on with my phones and iPad but off with my iMac and MBA. Then the 3 mobile devices would be in sync without a lot of data usage. Then can I sign into iCloud with the iMac and MBA when I want and ask it to down load a single photo but never turn on the photo sync on the iMac and MBA?

Larry, thanks much for your time and help with this. I forgot about the "helpful" boxes and went back to check them just now. However, the "solved" box disappeared when I tried to check it. You've spent a lot of time helping an old digitally challenged guy and I appreciate it.

Geoff

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Answer 6

LarryHN

Level 10

106,110 points

Dec 18, 2017 3:25 PM in response to Geoff K

How about this? Could I leave Photo sync with iCloud turned on with my phones and iPad but off with my iMac and MBA. Then the 3 mobile devices would be in sync without a lot of data usage. Then can I sign into iCloud with the iMac and MBA when I want and ask it to down load a single photo but never turn on the photo sync on the iMac and MBA?

Yes as you suggest - but with that set up you can not manually import photos form the IOS devices to you Mac

Good luck

you are welcome

LN

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Answer 7

LarryHN

Level 10

106,110 points

Dec 17, 2017 6:24 PM in response to Geoff K

Lets start with details - what version of iPhoto do you have - and what iCloud services are you using? You state that you have High Sierra 10.13.1 - is that correct?

LN

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