iCloud Photos Not Syncing

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Read the sync status in Photos

   Copy steps
   1. iOS 18 and later: Photos > Collections > tap your profile button; the status shows under your name
   2. iOS 17 and earlier: Photos > Library > All Photos, scroll to the bottom
   3. Mac: Photos > Library > All Photos, scroll to the bottom
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Clear the pause reason

   Copy steps
   1. Low Power Mode / Low Data Mode: turn them off in Settings
   2. 'Optimizing Battery Power' or 'Poor Network Connection': tap Sync Now
   3. 'Low Battery': charge above 20%
   4. Leave the device on power and Wi-Fi overnight for large libraries
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Free up or add iCloud storage

   Copy steps
   1. Settings > your name > iCloud > Storage
   2. If it says iCloud storage is full, delete data or upgrade your plan
   3. Photos will not upload while you are over the limit
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Check the 'Unable to Upload' album

   Copy steps
   1. Photos > Albums > Utilities > Unable to Upload
   2. Open each item and make a small edit to trigger a new upload
   3. Or export the items and import them again
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. 5. Fix Shared Library storage

   Copy steps
   1. If you see 'Move Photos to Personal Library to Continue Syncing', the Shared Library owner is out of space
   2. Move items you added back to your Personal Library, or ask the owner to upgrade
   Did this fix it? Yes No

6. 6. Confirm the same Apple Account and update

   Copy steps
   1. Settings > your name on each device: the email must match
   2. Settings > General > Software Update and install updates
   3. Check apple.com/support/systemstatus for iCloud Photos outages
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

New photos don't appear on your other devices, Photos shows 'Syncing paused' or 'Uploading X items' that never finishes, or the photo count differs between iPhone and Mac.

Why it happens

• Sync paused by Low Power Mode or Low Data Mode
• Battery below 20% or device too hot
• iCloud storage full
• Signed in with a different Apple Account on one device
• Items stuck in the 'Unable to Upload' album
• Shared Library owner out of storage
• Outdated iOS or macOS
• iCloud outage

This guide also covers

• icloud photos not syncing
• icloud photos syncing paused
• photos not uploading to icloud
• icloud photos stuck uploading
• why are my photos not syncing to icloud

The same problem in other apps

All sync failures guides →

• Google Drive Not Syncing (Google Drive)
• Dropbox Not Syncing (Dropbox)
• OneDrive Not Syncing (OneDrive)

Other iCloud errors

• iCloud Backup Failed: 'Last Backup Could Not Be Completed'
• iCloud Storage Full (Even After Deleting Photos)
• iCloud Drive Stuck on 'Waiting to Upload' (Mac)
• iCloud for Windows Not Syncing
• iCloud Mail Not Working or Not Receiving Emails
• iCloud 'Verification Failed: Error Connecting to Apple Account Server'
• iPhone Keeps Asking for iCloud / Apple Account Password
• 'Unable to Load Photo' iCloud Error on iPhone