8 Troubleshooting Tips When iCloud Photos Won’t Sync

iCloud Photos lets you sync and access your photos across all your iCloud-compatible devices. This feature works fine most of the time. However, you may sometimes find that iCloud Photos isn’t syncing. When this happens, your photos won’t upload from your device to the iCloud service.

There are many reasons for this to happen. Maybe the server you’re trying to upload your photos to is down? Or maybe your mobile data is limiting photo uploads? We show you how to fix that below.

Make sure the iCloud server doesn’t go down

When you have any issues with iCloud, including photos not syncing with iCloud, the first thing to do is check if Apple’s servers are experiencing an outage. Apple provides a website that displays the status of its servers.

1. Open a new tab in your browser and go to Apple’s status website.
2. You will see the status of each Apple server. Find the server said Picture and check the status.

If the Photos server is down, that’s why your photos aren’t syncing to iCloud. You need to wait for Apple to bring the server back up.

Make sure iCloud Photo Sync is enabled on your device

One reason why your iCloud Photos isn’t syncing could be that the sync option is disabled on your device. You need to enable iCloud Photos option on each of your devices where you want to access your synced photos.

Enable iCloud Photos on iPhone/iPad

1. Open Setting application on your device.
2. Tap the banner of your name at the top of the screen.

3. Touch icloud on the following screen.

4. Option Picture from all the options available on your screen.

5. Turn on iCloud Photos right to buy.

Turn on iCloud Photos on Mac

1. Click Launchers in the Dock, search Picture and open it.

2. Choose Picture in the top menu bar and click Interests.

3. Choose icloud on the following screen.
4. Tick iCloud Photo Library right to buy.

Check iCloud storage requirements

By default, your iCloud account offers 5GB of space to store your photos and other files. If you’ve exceeded this storage limit, that could be why your iCloud Photos aren’t syncing.

One way to fix that problem is to create space in your account. You can do this by deleting unnecessary files from your account. This includes your Drive files, photos, videos, and other data.

Another way to solve the problem is to upgrade your current package. Apple offers a variety of paid professional plans for more storage in your account. You can also sign up for a larger plan directly from your iPhone and iPad.

Allow your iOS device to use unlimited mobile data

Your iPhone and iPad have a feature that limits the number of photos that can be synced with your iCloud account while you’re on cellular data. If you have big data permission from your mobile data provider, you can turn this off and fix the issue where your iCloud Photos won’t sync.

1. Open Setting app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap Picture right to buy.

3. Choose Mobile data right to buy.

4. Activated Unlimited Updates right to buy.

Sign out and back into your iCloud account

One thing you can try to possibly get rid of photo sync issues on your iOS devices and Mac is to sign out of your iCloud account and then sign back in.

On iPhone / iPad

1. Open Setting app on your iOS device.
2. Tap your name banner at the top.

3. Scroll down and tap Log out right to buy.

4. Sign back in to your iCloud account.

On a Mac

1. Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner and select System Preferences.