iCloud Photos Downloader (github.com)

Article summary

The iCloud Photos Downloader is a command-line tool that allows users to download all their iCloud photos. The tool is available for Linux, Windows, and macOS, and can be installed via various package managers or run as an executable. It provides features such as automatic de-duplication of photos, support for Live Photos and RAW images, and optimization for incremental runs. The tool is designed to solve the issue of downloading an entire iCloud library at once, which is not possible through official Apple methods.

Main themes

• iCloud Photos
• Data Download
• Command-line Tools
• Apple Ecosystem
• Photo Management
• Cloud Storage

What commenters say

• There is no official way to download all iCloud photos at once, making the iCloud Photos Downloader a necessary tool.
• The Photos app on Mac can download all iCloud photos, but it requires specific settings and may not work for large libraries.
• Disabling 'Optimize Storage' on Mac and enabling it on iPhone allows for downloading the entire photo library to the Mac.
• The iCloud Photos Downloader solves a real problem, but some users claim that the Photos app on Mac can achieve the same result with the right settings.
• The lack of a 'download all' button for iCloud Photos is a limitation that the iCloud Photos Downloader addresses.
• Some users have successfully downloaded their entire iCloud photo library to their Mac using the Photos app, contradicting the claim that it's not possible.
• The size of the photo library can be an issue when trying to download it to a device with limited storage.
• The iCloud Photos Downloader provides features and functionality that are not available through official Apple methods.