iCloud storage of photos not updating on Mac

I have 3 positions of my photos. Most photos are taken and on my cell phone (iPhone 16), and all seem to be on iCloud also. But on my MacBook Pro my pictures stop at February 2025. No error messages, all show "updated just now". iCloud shows 6,544 photos and 261 videos; MacBook Pro shows more photos but nothing after Feb. 2025 - 6,562 photos and 290 videos. Cell phone shows same photos and videos as iCloud so is syncing there. Why do my photos stop at Feb. 2025 on my Mac?????? Checked all 3 and seem to be set up to save all photos to iCloud but why isn't it updating my Mac photos????

MacBook Pro 13″

Posted on Jun 7, 2025 9:54 AM

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5 replies

Jun 7, 2025 10:13 AM in response to garyflorida

garyflorida wrote: … why isn't it updating my Mac photos????

Do you maybe have more than one Photos Library? Use Finder Search to hunt for ".photoslibrary" Or close Photos and option click on the Photos icon to bring up the Library chooser

I have lots of Libraries, but only the System Library talks to iCloud.


Are all your devices connected to the same Apple Account, with the same email? Check each one.


Here's a hint: when you ask someone for help, other users here, or Apple, or anybody, really, you're more likely to get results by being polite and serious-- using lots of question marks, for instance, will only make people think that you're problem isn't real. Remember that the person who reads your post probably is in no way connected with the cause of your rant, and on this site we only answer the questions we want to.

Jun 11, 2025 7:06 AM in response to MFM_Bdx

MFM_Bdx wrote: … I have the same problem

Well, I'm not sure. Is it the Mac that is not syncing, or the phone? Often, when you have a different problem, it's better to start a new thread.


Have you restarted the Mac? Have you done a forced restart of the phone? Have you tried using Safe Mode on the Mac? Do you have Optimize Storage turned on? How much free storage do you have on the Mac? How much free storage do you have on the iPhone? How much free storage do you have at iCloud.com? Let us know and we might be able to help.


Since syncing uses the battery, and since lots of people are very anxious about battery drain, the iPhone will avoid syncing when not plugged in. And since syncing uses processing power, and people hate slow downs, the iPhone will avoid syncing while you use it. And since syncing requires bandwidth, the iPhone will avoid syncing when the internet connection is weak.


So, if you want faster syncing, then find good wifi, plug the phone in, and leave it alone. All this applies to a lesser extent for the Mac.


I hope this helps. If, after a day or two, the phone is still unsynced, let us know, maybe in a new thread, just what your situation is, and what you've tried.

Jun 11, 2025 12:35 PM in response to Richard.Taylor

well, I am sure, the photos do not sync and I cannot force synchronization.

It's not my iphone, it's my mac (the pictures are done with the phone, not with the computer), I don't backup the pictures on this mac, I have tried with both on and off Optimaze storage, I have 100 gigas in the icloud, and enough space in the mac because I optimize the space. I see my pictures in the browser of icloud, not in the mac. Of course I've restarted everything, I have good wifi and the computer is plugged (it asks for). The problem is new, I never had it before, since the last system update.

In case is not clear, is the mac that does not synchronize.

iCloud storage of photos not updating on Mac

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