How to Upload Photos to iCloud on iPhone/iPad/Mac/Windows

Uploading photos to iCloud can help you easily back up them. This article will give you detailed guidance to make it on iPhone/iPad/Windows/Mac. If need, you can use another iCloud alternative to back up iPhone photos.

By @Kathy Last Updated September 12, 2024

As a cloud service developed by Apple Inc, you can use iCloud to protect your iPhone/iPad photos from loss by adding them to iCloud. With its sync feature, you can also easily access iPhone photos on Apple devices like iPad and Mac.

So that's why this article exists. Let’s find answers in the following sections to learn how to import iPhone/iPad photos to iCloud.

How to upload photos to iCloud

Now you can walk through the 3 parts below to back up iPhone photos to iCloud on iPhone/iPad, Mac and Windows PC.

Before the process, you’d better check these things first.

 Confirm that the right iCloud account is logging in to your device.  Make sure the internet you are using is stable and reliable.  There is enough storage in your iCloud.

If you need to move many large files and a weak internet connection or insufficient iCloud storage troubles you a lot, then you can use FoneTool mentioned in the third part to back up photos to PC without iCloud.

Part 1. How to sync photos to iCloud on iPhone/iPad

When you need to learn how to add photos to iCloud on your iPhone/iPad directly, there are 2 ways for you to transfer all photos or some selected photos to iCloud.

Back up all photos to iCloud

Launch the Settings app on your iPhone/iPad > Tap the profile on the top of the screen > Choose iCloud > Photos > Enable the iCloud Photos or iCloud Photo Library option.

According to your need, you can choose Optimize iPhone Storage or Download and Keep Originals. And it’s better to select WLAN & Cellular Data under the Wireless Data option to confirm the sync speed.

Move targeted photos to iCloud

If you just want to move some iPhone/iPad photos to iCloud, you can complete the process via the browser.

Step 1. Open Safari on your device and navigate to iCloud.com > Sign in your iCloud account.

Step 2. Click Photos from the interface > Choose Upload > Photo Library > Select targeted photos and tap Add to make it.

Note: Once you have enabled syncing with iCloud on iPhone/iPad, then deleting the imported iCloud photos on your device will also erase them on iCloud.

Part 2. How to save photos to iCloud on Mac

If you need to finish the iPhone photos backup tasks on your Mac, then you can go to System Preferences > Tap on your Apple ID > Click iCloud from the sidebar > Choose Photos to make it.

Part 3. How to upload photos to iCloud on PC

When you need to save photos to iCloud on PC, then moving iPhone/iPad photos to Windows desktop or laptop can be a big challenge. But FoneTool can help you troubleshoot the problem efficiently.

Transfer photos from iPhone/iPad to PC easily

With the powerful FoneTool, you can add your photos from iOS device to PC in a very short time.

 Quick transfer speed. 100 photos can be moved in 3 seconds.  No data loss. USB transfers provide absolute data security.  Easily access iPhone files. You can preview the device data on the PC to choose which needs to be moved.  Simple backup process. You can fully or selectively back up iPhone/iPad data on PC. Wide compatibility. FoneTool works well with iPhone 4 to iPhone 16 and all iPad/Mini/Pro/Air models.

Step 1. Download FoneTool on your Windows desktop or laptop > Connect your iPhone/iPad to the computer.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

Step 2. Launch FoneTool > choose Phone Transfer > iPhone to PC and click Get Started to continue.

Step 3. Check and click the Photos icon to preview and select the targeted pictures > Then click OK.

Step 4. Click Transfer Settings to change the storage path > Click Start Transfer to start the process.

★Tips:
 If there are too similar photos on your device, FoneTool can also help you find and erase duplicate photos on iPhone or iPad for free. (Toolbox > Photo Deduplication)
 If you need to back up iPhone photos without iCloud, then you can go to Phone Backup > Choose Selective Backup or Full Backup to make it.

Move iPhone/iPad photos to iCloud from PC with FoneTool

Once the photo transfer is complete, you can also use FoneTool to easily upload photos to iCloud. Its fast uploading speed and easy-to-use interface can help you finish the process efficiently.

Step 1. Go to My iCloud > Log in with your iCloud account > Choose Manage iCloud from the interface.

Step 2. Click the Photos icon to access iCloud photos > Tap on the Upload button in the top right corner to continue.

Step 3. Choose your moved iPhone photos from your computer > Click Open to accomplish the action.

After a while, all iPhone photos will be uploaded to your iCloud. And if you need to access your iCloud Drive data, you can click Manage iCloud > Choose iCloud Drive to make it.

Save iPhone/iPad photos to iCloud from PC

If you don't want to use third-party software to import iPhone/iPad photos to iCloud, you can finish the process via iCloud online as mentioned in part 1 or use iCloud client to make it.

Step 1. Download iCloud client for Windows > check Photos and enable Download photos, Upload photos, or Create new folders in Options.

Step 2. Go to the Windows Explorer > Select iCloud Photos. Open another folder where you store the targeted photos > Select the photos you want to import > Drag them into the iCloud Photos folder.

Tip: To check if your photos are backed up to iCloud successfully, you can access iCloud photos or videos by tapping on Downloads in the iCloud Photos folder.

Conclusion

From this passage, you can know how to upload photos to iCloud on your iPhone/iPad, Windows or Mac. You can also use FoneTool to quickly back up some or all iPhone/iPad photos on PC. If you want to protect your photos' privacy, you can put password on Photos on iPhone. And for more queries or feedback, please feel free to contact us.