How to Save Photos from iCloud Link in Messages [Full Guide]

Part 1. What Is an iCloud Link?

With the Apple iOS 12 update comes an innovative feature called iCloud Link that can facilitate the transfer of URLs and allow recipients to easily retrieve and download shared photos and videos. The link is only valid for 30 days, after which time no one else will be able to access the photos and videos in the link, and beyond that time boundary, unauthorized access to shared visual content will not be possible unless the link is actively updated.

For those who want to create an iCloud link to share iPhone photos, see the steps below:

Step 1: Access your iPhone’s Settings > Tap Apple ID and proceed by iCloud > Enable iCloud Photos and Shared Albums.

Step 2: Launch the Photos app, pick out the desired photos, then tap the Share icon in the lower-left corner > Choose the Copy iCloud Link option and send the link to your intended recipients.

Now that you know how to share photos via iCloud link, how to save photos from iCloud link? Scroll down for more information.

Part 2. How to Save Photos from iCloud Link in Messages Easily

For those who want to save photos from iCloud links in messages, you come to the right place. This section will show a step-by-step guide on how to save photos from an iCloud link:

Step 1: Launch the Messages app on your device and tap the received iCloud link > Tap Open when a small window pops up.

Step 2: In the For You section within the Photos app, tap the Add All button or the Select option to cherry-pick specific photos before saving them to the Camera Roll.

Part 3. Alternative Way to Download Photos from iCloud [Recommended]

If you need to display your iCloud photos on your PC, you can share and download photos from iCloud on your PC. FoneTool is a great option for you. It is a safe and professional iCloud management tool that can help you easily upload, download, and delete iCloud files.

Highlights of Using FoneTool to Download Photos from iCloud:
Selective Download: FoneTool allows you to preview to choose specific photos to download, providing a selective and customizable experience.
High-Speed Transfer: esigned for efficiency, FoneTool ensures fast and seamless transfer of photos from iCloud to your device.
Batch Download Capability: With FoneTool, you can save time by downloading multiple photos at once with FoneTool’s batch download feature.
Compatibility with Different File Formats: Whether it’s JPG, PNG or other formats, FoneTool supports downloading various file types from iCloud.

So, how to download photos from iCloud via FoneTool? Click the provided icon for the unhindered download of FoneTool and follow the simple steps:

Step 1: Launch FoneTool on your PC, navigate to My iCloud, and sign in with your iCloud credentials > Confirm your identity by entering the verification code.

Step 2: Click Manage iCloud to preview and choose the desired photos > Click the Download button at the top of the screen to continue.

Step 3: Designate a preferred destination for safeguarding your iCloud photos > Click Download to carry out the download process.

In addition to managing your photos or other files on iCloud, FoneTool is an excellent HEIC converter that can help you convert HEIC to PNG/JPG on your PC with ease.

Bonus Tip: Transfer Photos from iPhone to iPhone Directly

If you don’t want to share photos via an iCloud link, you can also use the FoneTool iOS client to transfer your photos from one iPhone to another. Here is a full guide on how to transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone without a network connection:

Step 1: Go to the App Store to download and install the FoneTool for iOS App on both of your devices > Authorize the app for WLAN connectivity, but no Wi-Fi connection.

Step 2: Initiate the connection process by clicking Connect Device > Connect to iOS. Scan the QR code displayed on your iPhone to establish a connection.

Step 3: Navigate to the File Transfer section, where you can cherry-pick your photos earmarked for transfer > Execute the transfer by clicking the Send button.

After that, you can check the transfer progress seamlessly by accessing the Transfer List, providing a comprehensive view of both receiving and sending activities.

The Bottom Line

After reading this post, you know how to save photos from iCloud link in message. Considering the simplicity of the few outlined steps, mastering the art of saving iCloud-linked photos to camera film proves to be a simple task. If iCloud Link fails, you can use FoneTool to download photos from iCloud or use its iOS client to transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone with ease.