iCloud Photos get you see the same images and videos on all your devices connected to the same iCloud news report and with syncing for Photos enabled . If you are n’t seeing synced medium , or your media is n’t appearing at iCloud.com or on other devices , try the chase .

Check that syncing is enabled

You should first make certain that a setting did n’t get turned off for some cause :

If it ’s checked in all the above , there are no additional options to configure or test in iOS or iPadOS — contact iCloud reinforcement to get help , as it may be account - related .

Check the System Photo Library choice in macOS

With macOS , you could retard and fix one additional element : InPhotos > configurations / Preferences > General , the release labeled Use as System Photo Library should grayed out , which indicates that the presently selected Photos library is being used as the scheme depository library . Only the system program library can be synchronize with iCloud .

The Use as System Photo Library push button lets you switch libraries that are synced with iCloud .

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macos photos settings

The Use as System Photo Library button lets you switch libraries that are synced with iCloud.

If the clit is uncommitted to dawn , you ’ve found your job . You might be tempted to penetrate the release straightaway . However , changing the set disables iCloud Photos and Shared Albums if they were enabled on a previously load subroutine library . ( you could flip library by quitting Photos , hold down the alternative key while launch Photos , and then selecting a different library or creating a new one . )

For the subroutine library you have active in Photos at the meter you tick the clit , once you enable iCloud Photos for it — in iCloud options in Photos — it merges whatever is in iCloud.com with whatever is in your local depository library . There ’s no easygoing way to unscramble this if it ’s not what you stand for .

If your local subroutine library is just an outdated variation of what ’s at iCloud.com , you may go ahead : iCloud wo n’t delete newly added photos and videos from other devices . But if you deleted medium in the macOS library while it ’s unconnected from iCloud , however , those images may be restored from iCloud.com during the first sync .

macos photos repair photo library

You can repair your Photos library in the hopes that it resolves iCloud sync problems—it might!

Rebuild the library in macOS

Quit Photos on the Mac , hold down Command - choice and relaunch it while keeping them harbor , then clickRepair . While this should n’t affect the sync condition , sometimes subroutine library equipment casualty causes unexpected problem .

you could amend your Photos program library in the hopes that it conclude iCloud sync problems — it might !

This Mac 911 article is in reaction to a head resign by Macworld referee Ralph .

Ask Mac 911

We ’ve compiled a list of the head we get asked most frequently , along with resolution and links to columns : read our super FAQto see if your interrogation is cross . If not , we ’re always looking for fresh problems to puzzle out ! e-mail yours tomac911@macworld.com , including cover captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used . Not every question will be answered , we do n’t reply to email , and we can not furnish unmediated troubleshooting advice .