How to (and how long) to copy iCloud Photos to desktop Photos

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Level 1

18 points

How to (and how long) to copy iCloud Photos to desktop Photos

I am pushing the storage limit of my iCloud account, and I want to copy all of my photos (>5400) to my desktop Download folder. I know there is a limit of 1000 files per download command. I select 400 pictures, select the download command and the screen goes dull (meaning it can't be inturpted). Overnight. In the morning the folder of transferred files in the desktop Download folder has barely begun. Should I expect such slow progress?

Should I expect slow response from older pictures that have been on iCloud a long time?

Is there any other way to copy the iCloud Photos onto the desktop?

iMac (2021), Monterey 12.6.7

iMac (M1, 2021)

Posted on Oct 6, 2025 9:20 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Richard.Taylor

Level 6

16,645 points

Oct 6, 2025 12:22 PM in response to Metal_bender

Metal_bender wrote: …I reach iCloud Photos a link in Safari.

iCloud's purpose is to make the Photos app on devices exactly the same as on iCloud Photos. The simplest way to ensure that you have all the information from iCloud Photos on your Mac is to just connect Mac Photos to iCloud (without "Optimize.") You can have the Photos Library on the SSD, if you like. 5400 pictures should load overnight.

The Photos Library has all the original picture files in it, and it maintains editing, cropping, and comment information in its database. If you want separate picture files, you can export them from Mac Photos in minutes.

The iCloud.com Photos really isn't especially convenient for any sort of batch operations, and the intent is to do that sort of thing on the Mac or iPad. I really can't imagine downloading thousands of pictures using the web site.

If you need details about manipulating Mac Photos to do what you need, we can help. I just don't want to add details here that you may not want…

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Answer 2

Oct 6, 2025 9:58 AM in response to Metal_bender

Metal_bender wrote: …I want to copy all of my photos (>5400) to my desktop Download folder.

Do you mean to the Downloads folder in your Users folder? (Desktop is a different folder, so this is confusing.) Or do you have a folder called, instead, Download, somewhere? Do you synchronize your Desktop folder in iCloud Drive?

If you are using iCloud Photos on your Mac, then all the pictures are already on your Mac. If not, you can get all your pictures on your Mac by just turning on iCloud. Can you help us understand what you're trying to do?

Can you tell us

Are you using iCloud Photos on your Mac?
Do you use "Optimize Storage?"
Where does your Mac's Photos Library reside-- in the Pictures folder of your internal drive, or on an external drive? or on a network? on iCloud drive?
What is your storage on this Mac? At System Settings>General>iStorage, what does yours say? Do you have more than 10% free storage on your Mac?
Do you have more than 10% free storage on your iCloud account?

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Answer 3

Oct 8, 2025 6:56 AM in response to Metal_bender

Metal_bender wrote:

OK, I got into the iCloud account from a machine with larger free space. I can download from iCloud - Photos to the desktop Downloads folder.

Well, I can download small parts -- I did 80, then 200, then 450± at once. The next 450 did not go, even overnight. I quit Safari & iCloud, then came back. Still doesn't like to download 200 at once.

Any suggestions on (a) what I can do, and (b) why this is happening?

Why: "The iCloud.com Photos really isn't especially convenient for any sort of batch operations,"

to do: Copy your Photos Library to the SSD ( or create one there.) Designate it as the System Library in Photos' Setting>General. Connect it to iCloud in Photos' Settings>iCloud, and let it fill up with your pictures.

If you need details about manipulating Mac Photos to do what you need, we can help. I just don't want to add details here that you may not want…

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Answer 4

Metal_bender Author

Level 1

18 points

Oct 8, 2025 8:33 AM in response to Metal_bender

OK. I learned I can queue up multiple downloads and let them chug away. So I downloaded about 100 images at a time, over & over again.

Most of them made it, using an iMac with ample available space.

Now I can proceed with deleting the 'unwanted' images, which will reduce the use of iCloud to a rational level.

Then the automatic Photo upload to iCloud will work again.

Life will be wonderful.

Thank you all, especially Richard Taylor.

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Answer 5

Metal_bender Author

Level 1

18 points

Oct 6, 2025 11:07 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

Are you using iCloud Photos on your Mac?

Yes. I reach iCloud Photos a link in Safari.

Do you use "Optimize Storage?"

No.

Where does your Mac's Photos Library reside-- in the Pictures folder of your internal drive, or on an external drive? or on a network? on iCloud drive?

In the Pictures folder

What is your storage on this Mac? At System Settings>General>iStorage, what does yours say? Do you have more than 10% free storage on your Mac?

20GB free of 251 GB total. So jsut under 10% available.

Do you have more than 10% free storage on your iCloud account?

No. ICloud frequently asks for more space allocation.

What I want to do is move all the pictures onto an external SSD drive (as a reference point), then delete "unneeded" ones from iCloud.

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Answer 6

Metal_bender Author

Level 1

18 points

Oct 7, 2025 8:54 PM in response to Metal_bender

OK, I got into the iCloud account from a machine with larger free space. I can download from iCloud - Photos to the desktop Downloads folder.

Well, I can download small parts -- I did 80, then 200, then 450± at once. The next 450 did not go, even overnight. I quit Safari & iCloud, then came back. Still doesn't like to download 200 at once.

Any suggestions on (a) what I can do, and (b) why this is happening?

Reply