APPLE PHOTO STREAM IS SHUTTING DOWN. HOW DO I SAVE MY PHOTOS?
In a recent announcement, Apple revealed that it would be discontinuing its popular Photo Stream feature. For many Apple users, this news may have come as a surprise and raised concerns about the fate of their photos. If you rely on Photo Stream to store and share your pictures, don't panic just yet. We will guide you through the process of how to move your images before Photo Stream shuts down for good.
First, check to see if your photos are in Photo Stream
It's important to check if your photos are actually stored in Photo Stream. To do this, open the Photos app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and navigate to the "Albums" tab. Look for the "My Photo Stream" album. If you find your desired photos within this album, it means they are currently stored in Photo Stream. **TIP** Take note of the number of photos present to ensure you have an accurate count of what needs to be saved. If you don't see any photos or the album is empty, it's likely that your pictures are already saved locally on your device or stored in iCloud Photos.
If you do have photos in Photo Stream, here are some options for what you can do:
Export Photos to Your Device:
The first step is to transfer all your Photo Stream pictures to your Apple device. Open the Photos app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and select the "Albums" tab. Look for the "My Photo Stream" album and open it. Next, select the photos you want to keep, tap the share button (square with an arrow pointing upwards), and choose the "Save Image" option. By doing this, you'll have a local copy of your photos saved directly on your device.
Utilize iCloud Photos:
Apple offers iCloud Photos as a powerful alternative to Photo Stream. It provides seamless integration across all your Apple devices and keeps your photos synced in the cloud. To enable iCloud Photos, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos, and toggle on "iCloud Photos." This ensures that all your photos will be automatically uploaded and available on all your Apple devices. With iCloud Photos, you'll have a reliable backup of your entire photo library.
Backup to External Storage:
To add an extra layer of protection, consider backing up your photos to an external storage device, such as an external hard drive or a USB flash drive. Connect the storage device to your computer, open the Photos app, select the photos you wish to back up, and then drag and drop them onto the external storage device. This backup method ensures that you have a physical copy of your photos stored separately from your Apple devices.
Explore Third-Party Cloud Storage:
Several third-party cloud storage services offer secure options for storing and accessing your photos. Popular platforms like Google Photos, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive provide seamless integration with Apple devices. Install the respective app on your device, sign in with your account, and follow the instructions to upload your photos. Be mindful of the storage limitations and any associated costs when choosing a third-party option.
Share and Collaborate with Shared Albums:
One of the key features of Photo Stream was its ability to share and collaborate on albums with friends and family. To continue sharing your photos, Apple provides the Shared Albums feature within the Photos app. Create a new shared album, invite your loved ones to join, and start uploading photos. This way, you can maintain the collaborative aspect while ensuring the safety of your shared memories.
It is important to note that once My Photo Stream is shut down, you will no longer be able to access any photos that are still in My Photo Stream. Therefore, it is important to save your photos from My Photo Stream before July 26, 2023.
Although Apple Photo Stream is bidding farewell, there are several alternatives available to safeguard your photos effectively. By exporting photos to your device, utilizing iCloud Photos, backing up to external storage, exploring third-party cloud storage, and leveraging shared albums, you can continue to preserve and share your precious memories seamlessly. Remember to choose the option that best suits your needs in terms of accessibility, storage capacity, and privacy. With the right approach, you can ensure that your photo collection remains safe and cherished for years to come.