How to Move iCloud Photos to an External Hard Drive?

Transferring iCloud photos to an external hard drive allows you to free up iCloud storage space, keep backups in case your account is compromised, and access photos offline.

You want to move iCloud photos to an external hard drive but don't know how to do it.This guide will explore three primary motivations and provide four easy methods to move your iCloud Photos to an external hard drive.

Reasons to Transfer iCloud Photos to External Hard Drive

Security

Keeping pictures in iCloud increases the possibility of loss from cyberattacks or unwanted access. You can lower the danger of data loss or illegal usage by creating a safe backup of your images on an external hard drive.

Storage Limitations

While iCloud offers 5GB of free storage, it encompasses all data, not just photos. As a result, this space may quickly become insufficient.

By transferring photos to an external hard drive, you can save money on upgrading iCloud storage plans and have more control over your storage needs.

Network Dependency

Because iCloud Photos depends on an internet connection, it can be problematic if you don't have network connections when you need access immediately. You may access images offline by transferring them to an external hard drive, which is a more practical and quick fix.

After learning the advantages of moving iCloud Photos to an external hard drive, let's look at four simple ways to complete the process.

How to Move iCloud Photos to an External Hard Drive?

Move iCloud Photos to External Hard Drive on Mac

If you are a Mac user, you can follow these steps without accessing the iCloud website:

1. Connect your external hard drive to your Mac.
2. Open the Photos app and select the photos to transfer.
3. Click “File” then “Export” Select file export settings.
4. Choose your external hard drive as the export destination. The app exports the photos.

Steps to Move iCloud Photos to a Hard Drive on a Windows PC

For Windows users, follow these steps after downloading iCloud for Windows:

1. Download iCloud for Windows from the Microsoft Store and sign in.
2. Tick the box next to Photos and open Options.
3. Choose “iCloud Photos Library” and “Download new photos and videos to my PC.”
4. Navigate to iCloud Photos in File Explorer, open the Downloads folder, and copy selected photos to your external hard drive.

Access iCloud.com to Move Photos

This method is suitable for both Mac and Windows users and involves using iCloud.com:

1. Go to iCloud.com and sign in Open “Photos.”
2. Select the photos to transfer and click the download icon.
3. Set your external hard drive as the download destination before downloading photos.

Use MultCloud to Quickly Transfer Large Amounts of Photos

MultCloud is a cloud-management service that allows you to download iCloud Photos to an external hard drive:

1. Visit MultCloud and sign up.
2. Add iCloud Photos to MultCloud.
3. Select and download photos, ensuring the download destination is set to your HDD.

Bonus Tip: Download/Transfer All iCloud Photos to External Hard Drive

Download iCloud Photos to Android Devices

Transferring iCloud photos to an Android device is possible with MobileTrans:

1. Open MobileTrans, connect your Android phone, and select “iCloud to phone.”
2. Sign in to your iCloud account and enter the verification code.
3. Select photos and click “Restore to Device.”

Use MobileTrans

MobileTrans is a fast and effective tool for downloading iCloud photos to a hard drive:

1. Install MobileTrans and connect your iPhone.
2. Select “Export to computer” and choose photos.
3. Connect the hard drive, select a date range, and export photos.

Now you have a comprehensive guide on moving iCloud photos to an external hard drive, whether you are using a Mac or Windows PC. Choose the method that suits your preferences and needs, ensuring the security and accessibility of your precious memories.