How to Mass Download Photos from iCloud

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Level 1

13 points

How to Mass Download Photos from iCloud

So in the photos section of my iCloud account I have around 5,000 photos. I want to move ALL of these from my iCloud storage to make room for backups and whatnot. I can obviously select each image individually, but seeing as I have amassed 5,000 of them that is an illogical way to go about it. Is there any way to mass select the images and import them directly to my computer?

You know like Command A in your files on any mac created laptop or desktop computer. Also there are no sound answers on the internet that I can find.

Please help!

Mac Pro, macOS High Sierra (10.13.6), iPhone 6s (latest ios)

Posted on Sep 8, 2018 9:03 PM

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Answer 1

tygb

Level 9

65,010 points

Sep 8, 2018 9:26 PM in response to WesternWitch

Prefer using photo application inspite of entering in www.icloud.com for downloading huge number of photos see these articles Select and deselect photos in Photos on Mac - Apple Support

Export photos, videos, and slideshows from Photos on Mac - Apple Support

iCloud Photo Library - Apple Support

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Answer 2

WesternWitch Author

Level 1

13 points

Sep 9, 2018 7:11 AM in response to tygb

We figured out a really dumb work around. I had run out of space in my iCloud and deleted a backup of one of my devices to allow Photos to sync and then it was able to download all my photos to the Photos app. After it updates and downloads I'm just going to uncheck the box for Pictures to be downloaded into my Cloud account.

Honestly one of the dumbest things I've had the pleasure of doing with an Apple product but I suppose it works. It took us WAY to long to find a way to get this to work.

But thanks for your response!

(Except none of those support links help at all for this particular problem. Trust me we tried them all. lol)

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Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

685,257 points

Sep 9, 2018 12:45 PM in response to WesternWitch

If you still want to delete the photos from iCloud, once syncing is complete and you have the photos on your computer, reopen Photos with the option/alt key held down and create a new system Library. You can now delete photos from your devices/computer while maintaining a master copy on the computer. Added photos can be exported from the new Library and imported into the Master Library. Turn off iCloud syncing when reverting to the Master Library.

Photos - Use multiple libraries in Photos

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How to Mass Download Photos from iCloud

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