How to Download Original Photos to your iPhone by Turning Off iCloud Sync

PDF download Download Article
Keep full-size photos on your iPhone even if you've got iCloud enabled
PDF download Download Article

While iCloud Photos is hand if you move between Apple devices often, you may want to keep original, full-resolution photos on your iPhone. In this article, we will teach you how to turn off iCloud Photos and download your original resolution photos. We will also explain how you can continue to sync your photos with iCloud and keep the originals on your device.

Things You Should Know

  • Tap your name at the top of your Settings menu, then select iCloud > Photos.
  • Toggle the switch next to “Sync this iPhone” to the “Off” position.
  • Tap "Download Photos & Videos" in the popup.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's a gray app icon, containing an image of gears, that is usually found on one of your home screens.
    • If you can't find it on your home screen, it may be in a folder labeled Utilities.
  2. It will be right under the search bar.
    • If your iPhone is not signed into iCloud, enter your Apple ID and password.
    Advertisement
  3. It is midway down the screen and has a white icon with a blue cloud. Next to iCloud it will say how much total iCloud server space you have.
  4. It is the first option under Apps Using iCloud .
  5. Make sure the button is white and no green appears.
    • If this toggle is not switched on, you have not synced any photos to your iCloud and the photos stored on your phone are the original, full-size versions.
    • If you don't want to turn iCloud Photo sync off, you can simply tap Download and Keep Originals . This will stop optimizing your iPhone storage and keep original-sized photos, but will keep iCloud Photos on. [1]
  6. If you turn off iCloud Photos, you have the option to download the original versions back to your phone. Any photos that were optimized will be deleted.
    • If you don't download the photos to your iPhone at this time, you can still access your original photos on other devices using iCloud Photos or by turning iCloud Photos back on.
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    My ex hacked my iPad and cell and took my photos. Are they gone forever?
    Community Answer
    If you have them backed up on iCloud, they aren't gone forever. Check iCloud, check different devices with the same account, and check Recently Deleted. The only reason they would disappear is because they were deleted.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 5
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Hard Reset an iPhone
      Apple ID Sign Out Unavailable? Here's How to Fix It
      How to
      Get Past the Activation Lock on an iPhone or iPad without the Seller
      10 Simple Ways to Fix an iPhone or Android That Won’t Send Pictures
      6 Easy Steps to Reload Your Cash App Card at the Store
      How to
      Fix the “iPhone Unavailable” Message: Explanation and Fixes
      How to
      Turn On MMS Text Messages on an iPhone
      2 Ways to Get a Still Image from Video on iPhone or iPad
      How to
      Use the iPhone Hidden Album to Hide Private Photos
      How to
      Fix "Notifications Silenced" on iPhone Messages
      How to
      Bypass Your Screen Time Passcode: Reset, Remove, or Hack Screen Time
      How to
      Downgrade and Restore Older Versions of iOS on iPhone
      Turn Off Location Sharing on an iPhone Without Anyone Knowing
      4 Ways to Find Your Lost iPhone When It’s Offline or Dead
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205703

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open Settings .
      2. Tap iCloud .
      3. Tap Photos .
      4. Disable iCloud Photo Library .
      5. Tap Download and Keep Originals .

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 147,571 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement