Photo Delay in Icloud

[dufchick]

Hi-

I hope everyone is doing well! If I take a picture on my iPhone, shouldn't I be able to see it fairly quickly on my MacBook Pro photo app? I don't, it takes quite some time. Is there a way to force this to occur? I do not want to have to airdrop each time, it seems counterproductive if I am using iCloud correctly. Thanks

Allison

 

[MacInWin]

Can you be a bit more definitive about what "quite some time" and "fairly quickly" mean? I use iCloud and pictures I take show up in a few minutes if I'm on the same WiFi network, longer if I'm on cellular on the iPhone and WiFi for the Mac.

 

[dufchick]

Can you be a bit more definitive about what "quite some time" and "fairly quickly" mean? I use iCloud and pictures I take show up in a few minutes if I'm on the same WiFi network, longer if I'm on cellular on the iPhone and WiFi for the Mac.

Thanks for responding! I took a photo at 5:17 pm and its 5:42pm and still no picture is showing up in my MacBook photo app. 'edit' I am on wifi here at home.

 

[MacInWin]

It should be faster than that in those circumstances. I don't know of a way to "force" a synchronization other than to log out of and then back into iCloud.

 

[MacInWin]

How about checking your Photos settings on the iPhone and let us know what they are? Maybe a wizard will come along with a suggestion for you.

 

[dufchick]

How about checking your Photos settings on the iPhone and let us know what they are? Maybe a wizard will come along with a suggestion for you.

ICloud Photos - set to ON
Optimize Phone Storage - set to ON
Upload to My Photo Stream - set to ON
Upload Burst Photos - set to OFF
Shared Albums - set to OFF
Cellular Data - set to ON with Unlimited Updates set to ON
Transfer to Mac or PC - set to Automatic

 

[MacInWin]

Burst photos are pretty easy to do accidentally. Could it be that the images that don't sync are bursts? I think there is no harm in turning on bursts there. You can later on delete any accidental bursts in Photos and it will sync back to eliminate the dupes from the phone.

 

[dufchick]

I think I may have identified a problem. I think my space is too low on my phone to upload any photos to Icloud and apparently if I delete them, it will delete them from iCloud as well. Is this correct?

 

[MacInWin]

Yes, if you delete on the iPhone, they will be deleted from iCloud. Again, maybe a wizard can come along and tell you if/how that can be handled.

 

[IWT]

Allison,

This may be a rather long reply.

Firstly, before we look at settings, I suggest you connect your iPhone via USB to your Mac, open Photos app and transfer everything to the Mac that is not there already. This is to safeguard all your pictures when we alter the settings.

Now, I'm going to give my settings on the iPhone and on the Mac and, hopefully, explain their relevance

On the iPhone:

Settings > Photos:

iCloud Photos OFF
My Photo Stream ON
Upload Burst Photos OFF
Shared Albums OFF

OTHER settings to taste

On Your Mac > Photos app > Preferences > iCloud

iCloud Photos ON
Download Original to this Mac or Optimise Mac Storage - your choice
My Photo Stream ON

Why these settings?

It means that when you take a picture with your iPhone it will (a) go into and remain in "Recents" (b) go into "My Photo Stream" from which it will automatically sync with your computer within seconds or a minute provided you are in WiFi range (c) appear in "My Photo Stream" of any other iDevice linked to your Apple ID.

If you delete a picture from "My Photo stream" on your iPhone it will also be deleted from any other iDevice linked to your Apple ID BUT NOT be deleted from your Mac. And that picture will also REMAIN in your "Recents" Album on your iPhone till you are ready to delete them - (usually after they are safely on your Mac and you want to save space on your iPhone)

Doing things this way means that backing up to the iCloud is from your Mac where you have total control.

Once pictures are on the Mac, either by syncing or via USB connection, there they stay.

Once on your Mac, Deleting pictures from "Recents" or "My Photo stream" on the iPhone will not affect your Mac nor its sync with iCloud.

In my view, this is the safest and most economical way of managing your pictures.

(Some people want to access ALL their pictures on ALL iDevices. I have not gained the impression that this is your intent).

How does this sound to you?

Ian

 

[MacInWin]

And there's the wizard! Thanks, Ian.

 

[badshoehabit]

I have the settings Ian describes but also find there's sometimes a delay in phone photos appearing on the MBP, even when sitting side by side. If I need the photo straightaway i share via AirDrop.

 

[DianeVan]

Fantastic info. It always pays to read these posts. I learn so much.


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