How to Download Photos from iCloud to iPhone

Apple iCloud service enables all iPhone users to backup and restore contents on iPhone for avoiding important data loss. However, if you are one of the users who have made some iPhone backups with iCloud, you may have found that Apple offers no way for you to get only photos from an iCloud backup to your iPhone or iPad.

Then, is it possible to download only photos from iCloud to iPhone without restoring? The answer is absolute YES. In the following guide, we will share with you the best method to download iCloud photos to iPhone, without restoring.

1. Download iCloud Photos to iPhone from iCloud.com

If you have enabled iCloud Photos, then all your photos under the same Apple ID will be synced to iCloud. As a result, you can download photos from the iCloud website to your iPhone. You can download photos from iCloud photos to your computer and then transfer them to your iPhone with iTunes. Below is the detailed guidance on how to do it:

Step 1: First visit the iCloud.com site on your PC browser and sign in with your Apple ID and password.

Step 2: Select “Photos” from your iCloud account interface. Here, select desired pictures and save them to your PC by tapping on the “Download” icon from the menu bar.

Step 3: After you’ve downloaded these photos to the computer, connect your iPhone to PC. Run iTunes on your computer to move the downloaded iCloud photos to iPhone.

Step 4: Tap on the “Device” icon and then, choose the “Photos” category. Then click “Sync Photos” and select the option where you want to download or sync photos on your iPhone.

Step 5: Finally, click on the “Apply” or “Done” button.

2. [Easy] Download Photos from iCloud to iPhone

To download only photos from iCloud to iPhone, you have to take advantage of some iCloud backup extractors that can help you extract certain files like photos, videos, and more from iCloud. AnyTrans is just the exact tool that is highly recommended by lots of iOS users for downloading iCloud photos. And below are its outstanding features in extracting iCloud photos to iPhone.

1. Download Photos Only. Allows you to download photos only from iCloud to your iPhone, instead of all files.
2. Without Restoring. Helps you download iCloud photos without doing a full restore of your iPhone.
3. View Photos on iCloud. Supports viewing all types of photos on iCloud – No matter they are saved in iCloud Photo Library, My Photo Stream, or stored in the iCloud backup.
4. Download to iPhone’s Photo App. Moves iCloud photos to the Photos app on your iPhone directly.
5. Support Other iOS Data Types. Besides photos, you can also view and download contacts, messages, notes, and more on iCloud.

Now, just Free Download AnyTrans on your computer firstly, and then follow the simple steps below to download photos from iCloud to iPhone effortlessly.

Step 1. Download photos from iCloud to computer

1. Run AnyTrans on your computer > Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable > Choose iCloud Manager tab to continue >  Log in with your Apple ID and password.

2. Choose the Photos category.

3. Preview and select the photos you want to download to iPhone > Click Download button at the top-right corner to start downloading the selected photos to your computer.

Step 2. Transfer Downloaded iCloud Photos to iPhone

Click Device Manager tab at the top > Click Add Content mode > Select the photos you exported in Step 1 > Click Open button to download iCloud photos to iPhone.

How to Easily Get Photos from iCloud to iPhone [Video Tutorial]

Also Read: How to Download Music from iCloud to iPhone >

4. Download Photos from iCloud Backup to iPhone

Just as we have mentioned above, this method will erase all the existing files on your iPhone firstly. Also, you can’t restore only photos by this method, it will be a full restore. The files on your iPhone will be replaced with the data restored from your iCloud backup. So, if you have stored some important files on your iPhone, then this method is not suitable for you. To download iCloud photos without losing anything,  just refer to Method 2.

Step 1. Go to Settings > General > Scroll down the screen and tap Reset > Choose Erase All Content and Settings > Enter your password.

Step 2. Tap Restore from iCloud Backup on the>Apps & Data screen > Sign in to iCloud > Proceed to Choose backup and choose the one contains the data you need to restore.

5. Download Photos from iCloud Photo Library to iPhone

iCloud Photo Library is also an option that allows iOS users to get photos from iCloud. But if you have selected the Optimize iPhone Storage option, the previous photos on your iPhone will be automatically deleted and replaced with the files downloaded from iCloud.

Step 1. Go to “Settings” on your iPhone > [your name] > Choose “iCloud” > Select “Photos” option.

Step 2. Swipe the “iCloud Photo” button to the right to activate the service.

Step 3. In the iCloud Photo Library screen, choose the “Download and keep original”.

Step 4. Now, go to the Photos app on your iPhone to view the photos downloaded from your iCloud Photo Library.

6. Download Photos from iCloud Photo Stream to iPhone

My Photo Stream automatically uploads the last 30 days of new photos from each of your devices. If you want to download the photos over the last 30 days, this method may fail to work. You can move to Method 2 to make it.

Step 1. Go to Settings on your iPhone > Scroll down and tap Photos.

Step 2. Swipe the “Upload to My Photo Stream” button to the right.

The Bottom Line

Besides transferring iCloud photos to iPhone, AnyTrans has some other interesting features, such as transferring messages from iPhone to iPhone and copying songs from computer to iPhone. So why not download this software and have a free trial?