If your iCloud Photos aren't syncing to your device

If your photos or videos won't sync to iCloud Photos on your device, learn how to check the status of your photo library and what to do if you see a status message.

Check the status of your library in Photos

If your photos aren't syncing, check the status bar in the Photos app for a status message, then follow the onscreen directions or learn what your status message means.

On your iPhone or iPad

In iOS 18 or later:

1. Open the Photos app.

2. Tap the profile button in the upper corner.

3. You can check your library status below your name and photo count.

   

In iOS 17 or earlier:

1. Open the Photos app.

2. In the Library tab, tap All Photos.

3. Scroll to the bottom to see the status bar.

On your Mac

1. Open the Photos app.

2. Select Library in the Photos sidebar.

3. Click All Photos in the toolbar at the top of the window, then scroll to the bottom.

What your status message means

If your iCloud Photos aren't syncing, do not turn iCloud Photos off. Syncing with iCloud might be paused for a variety of reasons, including if you turn on certain device settings or need more iCloud storage.

If you see Saving Cellular Data or Low Cellular Data Mode

iCloud Photos automatically pauses syncing until you're connected to Wi-Fi for a variety of reasons. If this happens, you might see a status message and the option to Sync Now. To sync your photos to iCloud, tap Sync Now. Or, turn off Low Data Mode.

If you see Saving Battery Power or Low Power Mode

iCloud Photos temporarily pauses syncing if your device is on Low Power Mode or if it's low on power. To sync your photos to iCloud, you can charge your device's battery, turn off Low Power Mode, or tap Sync Now next to the status message.

If you see Waiting to Sync

If you see a status message that says Waiting to Sync, make sure that your device is connected to the internet and wait a few minutes for the sync to complete.

If your iCloud storage is full or almost full

If you exceed your iCloud storage limit, photos and videos won't sync to iCloud and your library won’t stay up to date across your devices. To continue using iCloud Photos, you can upgrade your storage plan or reduce the amount of storage that you're using.

If you see Move Photos to Personal Library to Continue Syncing

If you're a participant in an iCloud Shared Photo Library and the owner's storage is full, you won't be able to sync your Personal Library until the Shared Library owner upgrades their storage plan or reduces the amount of storage that they're using.

If your photos still aren't syncing to iCloud

1. Connect your device to power and to Wi-Fi.

2. Make sure that you're signed in to iCloud with the same Apple Account that you use on your other devices.

3. If you set up iCloud Shared Photo Library, check which Library view you're in. When you move photos to your Shared Library, you no longer see them in your Personal Library.