
Setting up iCloud Backup Photos is a straightforward process that can be completed in a few easy steps. To start, you'll need to make sure that you have enough free storage space in your iCloud account, which is 5GB by default.
You can opt for a paid plan if you need more storage space. For instance, 50GB of storage costs $0.99 per month. This will give you more room to store your photos and other files.
To set up iCloud Backup Photos, go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad and tap on your name at the top. Then, tap on iCloud and select iCloud Backup.
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How to Backup iPhone Photos
To backup your iPhone photos, you have a few options. You can manually backup your photos to iCloud by going to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, and then sliding the "iCloud Backup" switch to the "On" position. This will start a manual backup of your selected iPhone contents.
To let iCloud automatically backup your iPhone photos, make sure that iCloud Backup is turned on in Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. Additionally, connect your iPhone to a power source, a Wi-Fi network, and ensure your iPhone's screen is locked.
You can also enable iCloud Photo Library, which will automatically upload every photo you take to your iCloud account in full resolution. To do this, go to Settings > iCloud > Photos, and then turn the iCloud Photo Library switch to the "On" position.
Here are the differences between iCloud Backup and iCloud Photos library:
Keep in mind that when you turn on iCloud Photos, your photos and videos will automatically upload to iCloud, but they won't be duplicated in your iCloud backup. It's a good idea to keep backup copies of your library.
Understanding iCloud Backup Photos
iCloud Backup Photos can be a bit confusing, but let's break it down simply. If you enable iCloud Backup and disable iCloud Photos Library, your photos will be backed up to iCloud Backup, but only once every 24 hours when your iPhone is powered, locked, and connected to Wi-Fi.
To clarify, iCloud Backup and iCloud Photos Library are two separate things. If you enable iCloud Photos Library, your photos will be uploaded to iCloud every time you're on Wi-Fi, and they won't be included in your iCloud Backup. This means photos won't be saved twice, which is a good thing.
What Is?
iCloud Backup is a feature that helps protect your data by creating a backup of the data on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro that hasn't yet been synced to iCloud.
This backup is extremely helpful when you lose your iPhone or iPad, as you can simply restore photos and other kinds of data you need via iCloud Backup.
iCloud Backup doesn't automatically upload your photos like iCloud Photos does, but it can still help you recover your photos in case of an emergency.
You can download the original copies of your photos from iCloud by tapping Download and Keep Originals on the Photos page.
iCloud Backup is different from iCloud Photos Library, which is a feature that automatically uploads your photos to iCloud in full resolution.
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What Does Include?
iCloud Backup includes a variety of data types, including photos, videos, messages, and app data.
Photos and videos are backed up to iCloud Backup, but only if they haven't already been backed up to iCloud Photos Library. If you have enabled iCloud Photos, your photos and videos will be uploaded to iCloud in full resolution, and you can download the original copies from iCloud.
iCloud Backup also includes contacts and calendar events, so you can restore your important appointments on a new device. Additionally, iMessage history is backed up, allowing you to retrieve your message history on a new device.
App data and settings are also included in iCloud Backup, making it easy to restore your apps and settings on a new device.
Here's a list of what iCloud Backup includes:
- Photos and Videos (except those already backed up to iCloud Photos Library)
- Contacts and Calendar Events
- iMessage
- App Data and Settings
Note that iCloud Backup excludes certain data types, such as iCloud photos, contacts, and calendar events that are already synced to iCloud.
Restoring and Managing Backups
Restoring and managing backups is a crucial part of keeping your photos safe. You can restore your photos from iCloud backups by selecting the right backup and pressing Recover.
To enable iCloud Photo Library on your iPhone, simply scroll and launch iCloud, move down to Photos, and enable iCloud Photo Library. This will automatically upload your photos to iCloud.
If you've lost your local photos, you can restore all photos via iCloud Backup with ease, provided you've backed up your photos by following the method above.
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Selective Restore
Selective Restore is a great option if you only need to recover specific photos from iCloud. This method allows you to choose the photos you want to restore, saving you time and storage space.
To selectively restore photos from iCloud, you'll need to use a program like Syncios Data Recovery for iOS. This program will guide you through the process of logging into your iCloud account and selecting the photos you want to recover.
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Once you've logged into your iCloud account, you'll see a list of the types of data you're allowed to restore. To selectively restore photos, choose "Camera Roll" and click on "Next" to continue.
The program will then scan your iCloud backup file and display a list of the photos you can recover. You can preview each photo to ensure you're recovering the right ones.
To recover the photos, simply tick the items you want to recover and click on "Recover to computer" or "Recover to device" button. If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is connected to your computer with a USB cable, you can even recover the photos directly to your device.
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Does Restore?
Restoring your backups can be a lifesaver, especially when you're switching to a new device. iCloud Backup can restore your photos, videos, messages, and app data.
iCloud Backup includes deleted photos if you haven't enabled iCloud Photos. This means you can retrieve your deleted photos when restoring your backup.
Hidden photos are also included in iCloud Backup, so you don't have to worry about losing those either.
Restoring photos from iCloud Backup is a relatively straightforward process. You can sign in with your Apple ID, choose the right iCloud backup, and press Recover to get all your photos back.
Photo Issues
You might encounter issues with your iCloud Photo Backup, but don't worry, they're usually easy to fix.
Slow backup processes can be caused by a slow internet connection, large file size, device glitches, or other issues.
Checking your connection, backing up large files in batches, and checking your device settings can help resolve slow backup processes.
A backup getting stuck can be caused by network issues, iCloud service disruptions, or software bugs.
Restarting your device, checking your Wi-Fi connection, and updating your software can help resolve stuck backups.
Inconsistent internet connections, outdated iOS versions, or insufficient device storage can cause backup issues.
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Ensuring a stable internet connection, updating your iOS version, and upgrading your account can help resolve these issues.
iCloud's 5GB of free storage can fill up quickly with photos, videos, and other data.
Exceeding the storage limit can prevent new backups from completing until space is freed up or additional storage is purchased.
Setting Up and Configuring Backup
To set up and configure backup for your photos in iCloud, start by turning on iCloud Photos on your iPhone or iPad. This can be done by tapping the button next to iCloud Photos on the Photos page, turning it from grey to green.
Once you've enabled iCloud Photos, your photos will automatically be uploaded to your iCloud account in full resolution. You can download the original copies of your photos from iCloud by tapping Download and Keep Originals on the Photos page.
To enable iCloud Photo Library on your iPhone, scroll and launch iCloud, then move down and look for “Photos” and tap it. Now, enable the iCloud Photo Library from there.
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If you're using a Mac, you can back up your photos to iCloud by clicking iCloud in the menu on the left, then under Apps on this Mac using iCloud, checking the box next to Photos.
It's worth noting that if you enable iCloud Photos Library, your images will get uploaded to iCloud every time you're on Wi-Fi, and won't be saved twice in iCloud Backup.
Set Up iPhone Photo Library
Setting up your iPhone's photo library is a crucial step in organizing and backing up your photos. You can access your photos from any device with an internet connection, making it easy to share and access your memories.
To set up iCloud Photo Library on your iPhone, you can follow these steps:
- Open Settings
- Tap iCloud
- Tap Photos
- Turn the iCloud Photo Library On by sliding to the right
Alternatively, you can also enable iCloud Photo Library by scrolling and launching iCloud, then tapping "Photos" and enabling the iCloud Photo Library from there. This feature allows you to store all your photos and videos in iCloud, freeing up space on your device.
Bonus Tip: Migrating to Another Cloud

Migrating to Another Cloud is a great way to protect your precious memories and files. You can back up your iCloud Photos to another large-capacity cloud drive like Google Drive, MEGA, etc. via MultCloud.
MultCloud is a versatile and reliable cloud backup service that supports a large variety of cloud drives, including Google Drive, iCloud Drive, iCloud Photos, Google Photos, and Google Workspace. With it, you can back up files from one cloud to another directly.
MultCloud offers a free plan with 5GB data traffic per month, and it's free to register, add countless clouds, and enjoy its services. It utilizes OAuth Authorization System and 256-bit AES Encryption for secure backup.
You can choose from four automatic backup options: at a specific time, daily, weekly, or monthly. For instance, you can backup Dropbox to Google Drive monthly. MultCloud also allows offline backup, unaffected by network conditions.
Here are the key features of MultCloud:
- Free to Get Started: Free to register, add countless clouds, and enjoy 5GB data traffic per month
- Secure Backup: MultCloud utilizes OAuth Authorization System and 256-bit AES Encryption
- Automatic Backup: 4 options are available to choose from: at a specific time, daily, weekly, or monthly
- Offline Backup: Utilize data traffic to back up files between clouds and unaffected by network conditions
iPhone Auto Backup
Setting up automatic backups on your iPhone is a breeze. To let iCloud automatically back up your iPhone photos, start by making sure that iCloud Backup is turned on in Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
You'll also need to connect your iPhone to a power source, as automatic backups require a charged battery. Connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network as well, as this will ensure a smooth backup process.
Make sure your iPhone's screen is locked to allow the backup to run in the background. If you're using iOS 10.2 or earlier, go to Settings > iCloud > Backup instead.
To check if you have enough available space in iCloud for the backup, sign in to iCloud and look at your storage usage. You get 5GB of iCloud storage for free, which might not be enough for large photo collections. If you need more storage, you can buy more from your iPhone.
Manually iPhone
To manually backup your iPhone photos to iCloud, you'll need to connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network. This is a crucial step, as you won't be able to proceed without it.
Next, head to your iPhone's 'Settings' app. If you're already within the Wi-Fi settings, tap the back arrow in the upper-left corner to return to the main Settings page.
From there, tap your Apple ID. If you're not signed in, you'll need to enter your Apple ID and password to proceed.
Once you're signed in, tap 'iCloud'. It's located in the second section of the menu.
To select the data you want to back up, slide the listed apps to the "On" (green) position. This will include their data in the backup.
Here are the apps you can choose to back up: NotesCalendars
Now, scroll down and tap 'iCloud Backup'. It's located at the bottom of the second section.
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How to Backup on Mac
To backup photos on your Mac, first click iCloud in the menu on the left of the Apple ID page.
From there, you'll want to check the box next to Photos under Apps on this Mac using iCloud.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my old photos back on iCloud?
To recover your old photos on iCloud, go to your Apple ID, select iCloud, and then Manage Storage to find and restore a previous backup. This will help you recover your missing photos.
Do photos stay on iCloud if deleted from iPhone?
Deleted photos from your iPhone are stored in your Recently Deleted album on iCloud for 30 days. After 30 days, they'll be permanently deleted from all your devices connected to iCloud Photos
How do I recover photos from iCloud?
To recover photos from iCloud, sign in to your Apple account at icloud.com/photos and select the Recently Deleted album. From there, choose the photos you want to recover and click Recover.
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