iCloud 1,000 Item limit to download photos from iCloud

[jdoyle]

Is there any way to get a complete download of all your photos on iCloud? I have 60,000 images from my family going back years. I want my own back-up without having to sync with a local photos library. For one thing I do not have the local space for that. Trying to select all and download gives me a message saying I am limited to 1,000 Photos selection at a time. Apple should really make it easy to get a complete archive of my own data in the same way you can on Instagram and other services. I want an archive of all my photos and keep a local off-line backup.

 

[BigMcGuire]

What device are you using?

If using a Mac - get an external SSD (2-4TB?) and move your photos library to the external drive. Then use Photos to download an original copy of all your photos to your Mac - there is no limit, but it can take a little time depending on your image library size (I have 55k photos and 1.6k videos).

My photo library is around 126GB. I have my main MacBook set to download all Original photos. Then I have TimeMachine backing up my Mac to an external SSD for my local off-line backup.

I also use Google Photos as a secondary backup to my iCloud Photos as it is very convenient - on my iPhone.

I too wish Apple had a better "take out" method for data.