How to Fix Error Downloading Photo from iCloud Photo Library

An error occurred when you are trying downloading photos from your iCloud photo library? This post has collected some efficient tips to help you fix the “there was an error downloading this photo from your iCloud photo library” issue easily.

Roger Smith Last Updated: Feb. 18, 2021

“I have experienced the ‘error downloading try again later message’ of my iCloud photos, it has been quite a while since I could access full resolution photos only the get blurry photos. Had no idea what was going on or how to fix the issue.” 

Error Downloading Photo from iCloud Photo Library

Error Downloading Photo from iCloud Photo Library

iCloud is always a good way to share and view precious photos, and many people have the habit to back up their photos with iCloud. However, it seems that lots of people have met the same problem that an error occurred when they are trying to download photos from the iCloud photo library. If you are one of them and don’t know what to do with it, just read this post and try the following tips to troubleshoot.

Method 1. Check iPhone Storage Space

If people had the same problem, well, the first thing they should do is: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to check if the iPhone storage was full. Sometimes, the cause is as obvious as it is ignored.

Fix: Error Downloading Photo from iCloud Photo Library

Fix: Error Downloading Photo from iCloud Photo Library

Method 2. Sign out/in iCloud Account

If there is no problem with the iPhone’s storage space, then you can try signing out of your iCloud account and waiting for some time to sign back in.

Method 3. Restart Your Device

If none of the above methods works, the last thing you could try is to reset your iPhone into its original/factory settings and then restore from iCloud backup. But make sure you have backed up your device before doing this.

Restart your iPhone X or later:
Press and hold the Side button and either volume button until the power off slider appears > Drag the slider to turn your device completely off > Press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo.

Restart your iPhone 8 or earlier or iPod touch:

Press and hold the Top (or Side) button until the power off slider appears > Drag the slider to turn your device completely off > Press and hold the Top (or Side) button again until you see the Apple logo.

Method 4: Check Network Connection

The next troubleshooting step is to make sure that you have your device connected to a stable and strong Wi-Fi network connection, as downloading photos from iCloud requires such a condition.

An Alternative Way: Download Photos from iCloud Photo Library

If the above methods fail to help you out. The last but easiest solution to fix the error downloading photos from iCloud photo library is choosing another tool to get the job done. AnyTrans is the most reliable one, which has helped plenty of users download photos from iCloud and highly recommended by these users. Below are its features different but better than iCloud downloading:

  • Time-Saving & Labor-Saving. According to the test, it takes only 32 SECONDS to download over 3000 photos from iCloud. Just 1 click to finish the job.
  • More Accurate & Flexible. You can view your iCloud photos in advance, and select the one(s) you prefer to download.
  • No Photos Download Error. Guarantees that no error would occur during the downloading process.
  • Transfer Among iCloud Accounts. You can also download iCloud photos to the device, computer, or other iCloud accounts.

Now, Free Download AnyTrans on your computer, and follow the simple steps below to download photos from the iCloud photo library effortlessly.

Free Download

Free Download

* 100% Clean & Safe

Free Download * 100% Clean & Safe

Step 1. Run AnyTrans on your computer > Click on the iCloud Manager option >  Log in with your Apple ID and password.

Sign in iCloud Account in AnyTrans

Sign in iCloud Account in AnyTrans

Step 2. Go to the category management page, select the Photos option.

Click Photos from iCloud Manager

Click Photos from iCloud Manager

Step 3. You can Select All to transfer or view all the photos synced to the iCloud server and select the photos you want to download > Click on the Download at the top right corner to export them to the computer.

Select Photos and Click Download Button

Select Photos and Click Download Button

Since iOS 11, Apple started using HEIC format to save photos on its devices and Macs. For users who have installed the iCloud client on Windows PC, when set up the Photos Options there may come an option that says: Keep high efficiency original if available. If you don’t know much about what HEIC is or meeting any problems about HEIC, you can move to this HEIC Info page for help.

The Bottom Line

Hope one of these tips can help you fix the “there was an error downloading this photo from your iCloud library” problem successfully. And if you want to view and download the iCloud photo easier, don’t forget to try AnyTrans >

Author Avatar
Roger Smith Twitter Share Facebook Share

Work for iMobie team for 5 years as well as an Apple fan, love to help more users solve various types of iOS or Android related issues.

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