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How do I get iOS, iPadOS 18 and macOS 15 to allow me to sync & browse my photo library?

The latest version of Photos was sold by Apple to be a big change. It is that, but not a change I care for at all.


My first issue is that most important feature in the old version was removed (or put out of sight). Specifically the ability to enable syncing when a device was for some reason not syncing new items added on a particular device. For example when I would photos on my iPhone and need them on another device I typically would need to scroll to the bottom of the library and find Apple had decided that there was a reason to wait to send the photo to my iCloud library. But they provided a link I could tap on to enable syncing immediately and then I could access the photo from another device. Now the library view is gone as is the ability to start the phone syncing. I have no idea if the logic Apple applies to decide when to sync has changed at all.


My second issue is the new UI in photos. I do not like the way the library can't be scrolled without some weird pushing and pulling on it. I do not like scrolling through the lists of collections even for the few I enable. I would prefer to have access to most of them using a tab bar at the bottom. For me Apple has added work for no reason and that doesn't work for me. Kind of like the new Camera button. Sure it is nice to bring up the camera when I am not accidentally pushing it. But all the menu control stuff is too fiddly and it takes more time than simply tapping the phone with my finger would.



iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Oct 16, 2024 4:16 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 17, 2024 2:14 AM

On iOS 18 the "Sync Now" button has been moved to Settings > Your Name > iCloud > Photos. If the syncing has been paused, you will see a "Sync Now" button in the "Status". It took me some time to find it there. I agree with you, it has been much more convenient to be able to see the syncing status directly in Photos, particularly, when we have to fall back onto a slow Hotel Wi-Fi and the syncing needs to be forced over and over again.


8 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 17, 2024 2:14 AM in response to AgingKeeper

On iOS 18 the "Sync Now" button has been moved to Settings > Your Name > iCloud > Photos. If the syncing has been paused, you will see a "Sync Now" button in the "Status". It took me some time to find it there. I agree with you, it has been much more convenient to be able to see the syncing status directly in Photos, particularly, when we have to fall back onto a slow Hotel Wi-Fi and the syncing needs to be forced over and over again.


Nov 6, 2024 12:36 AM in response to AgingKeeper

Yes, I meant the Settings for the Photos.app, available from the Settings.app in three ways:

  • From Settings > your name > iCloud, then tap the button "Photos" and look at the "Status" line.
  • From Settings > Apps > iCloud > Photos
  • From Settings > Apps > Photos


I am glad, Apple has added the button directly in the app, to see the iCloud Settings for Photos. it has not been there in the first version of iOS 18 that I tested. I am seeing now a similar button in Books, but not in Files for iCloud Drive. It would be great to have this quick access to the iCloud status for all apps storing their documents and data in iCloud.



Nov 5, 2024 8:52 AM in response to léonie

Thanks very much for your reply. I was in fact on vacation and suffering from slow cellular and slow wifi. Back home now and have made a note to remind me of this in the future. I have this problem even at home and I have good wifi/internet as well as giving Photos permission to use cellular. My iPhones simply tend to wait before syncing. I kind of understand the rationale for waiting but it should know that when I am home that I want it to sync right away on cellular or wifi. Unfortunately I can’t see this in the app.


We shouldn’t need to drill down in settings just to see if syncing is paused much less to force a sync. I also intend to suggest that this feature be returned to the Photos app.


Thanks for the reply!

Nov 5, 2024 11:54 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

I appreciate the help Richard!


I had assumed @leonie meant photo settings in the Settings app. Having now drilled down into them they are similar to the settings you pointed me to with the sync being included from within the app. I am guessing this is what @leonie meant. I never even knew about the existence of these in-app settings. Glad they exist, frustrated that they were not obvious to me.


Thanks!

How do I get iOS, iPadOS 18 and macOS 15 to allow me to sync & browse my photo library?

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