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While iCloud has many convenient features and works pretty reliably, you may face occasional technical glitches. One common issue is when iCloud Photos fails to sync with the Photos app on your Mac. Let’s take a look at why this happens, and the steps you can take to fix it.
1. Check the Sync Status in Photos
The first thing to do when you’re having trouble with iCloud Photos syncing is to check the sync status in the Photos app. This will give you an idea of exactly what the problem is. To do this:
It may say various things, including “Last Synced” if syncing is complete. If you see “Waiting to Sync”, it means you have many photos to upload or yourinternet connection is slow. If you see “Uploading to iCloud Paused” or “Syncing with iCloud Paused”, it could be due to a lack of internet connection, Low Power Mode being enabled, or a temporary sync interruption.
2. Make Sure iCloud Photos Is Activated
If your photos aren’t syncing, it’s possible that iCloud Photos is not enabled on your Mac. As it’s an optional feature provided byApple’s iCloud service, it’s not activated automatically. To enable iCloud Photos on your Mac, follow these steps:
You can choose to download the full-sized images orsave space on your Mac. If you choose the “Download Originals to this Mac” setting, you’ll download the original files from your Photo library onto your Mac.
Alternatively, you may select “Optimize Mac Storage” if you need to save space. This will replace the full-resolution photos and videos with smaller, lower-resolution versions. You can still download the full-resolution versions anytime from iCloud.
Another way to do this is to ensure that iCloud Photos is enabled in the System Settings. For this:
Turning off iCloud Photos and then turning it back on using the same methods mentioned above may also fix the syncing issue.
Remember that syncing your iCloud photo library to your Mac for the first time may take some time, so be patient if your images don’t appear immediately.
3. Use the Same Apple ID on All Devices
If you use multiple Apple accounts, you must verify that your Mac is signed in with the same Apple ID used on the other devices you wish to sync photos with. To verify this:
In case you have signed in with a different Apple ID on your Mac, scroll to the bottom and select Sign Out. After that, sign in again using the same Apple ID associated with your other devices.
4. Check Your Internet Connection
Your photos may not be syncing to and from iCloud due to a lack of internet connectivity. Successful synchronization relies on both your iPhone (or whatever Apple device you’re taking pictures on) and your Mac being connected to a stable network—preferably Wi-Fi on your phone if you’ve got a limited data allowance. If there areissues with your Wi-Fi, resolve them before resuming iCloud syncing.
5. Ensure You’ve Got Enough Storage in iCloud
iCloud Photos can only work if you have enough free space in your iCloud. Go to System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud and click Manage tocheck your iCloud storage. If your storage space is low, uploads for new photos and videos will pause.
To fix this issue,free up some iCloud spaceby removing unnecessary files from your account. This includes apps, photos, videos, and other files. Alternatively, consider upgrading your current iCloud plan. Apple provides various plans for additional account storage. By default, you get 5GB of free iCloud space per Apple ID. But if youupgrade to iCloud+, you may increase this storage to 50GB or even up to as much as 12TB.
6. Force Quit and Reopen the Photos App
Sometimes, minor glitches or temporary disruptions can prevent the Photos app from syncing with iCloud. Force closing and reopening the Photos app can often help you resolve the issue. To do it:
7. Turn Off Low Power Mode
Low Power Mode, when enabled, may restrict certain background processes to save battery—including iCloud syncing. You might have your MacBook set to automatically switch to Low Power Mode when you’re running on the battery. To turn this feature off:
8. Repair the Photo Library
The Photos app might not be syncing properly with iCloud Photos due to corrupted or damaged library files. In this situation, repairing the library may resolve the issue. Here’s how you can repair the Photos library manually:
Your Photos app will attempt to repair the library. This process may take some time, depending on the size of your Photos library.
9. Charge Your Mac
While this solution may seem general, ensuring your Mac has enough battery power is crucial for optimal iCloud syncing. When yourMac’s battery is low, it prioritizes essential background processes that may affect iCloud Photos syncing. Therefore, charging your Mac and ensuring it has sufficient battery power can help fix this issue—or just plug it in when you want to sync.
10. Restart Your Mac
Restarting your Macis a fundamental yet effective solution to troubleshoot iCloud Photos syncing issues. For this:
Allow your Mac to shut down and restart completely. This process clears system caches and can resolve minor software inconsistencies, ultimately contributing to a smoother iCloud syncing experience.
11. Update to the Latest Version of macOS
Keeping your macOS up-to-dateensures you have the latest bug fixes, improvements, and updates, which can fix syncing problems with iCloud Photos. Follow these steps to ensure your Mac is running the latest version of macOS:
If an update is available, follow the prompts to download and install it.
Finding the exact reason preventing your Mac from syncing with iCloud Photos may be frustrating. However, by implementing the fixes we’ve outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the issue, and your Photos app will resume syncing photos on your Mac.
If you’ve tried all the suggestions above and are still experiencing the same problem, don’t hesitate toget in touch with Apple Supportfor further assistance. Their expert team can provide additional guidance and help you identify any underlying issues interfering with the syncing process.
