syncing iCloud photos is PAINFULLY slow for NO REASON

iPhone 14 Pro. Latest IOS. Yes I have enough iCloud space. No my connection speed is not the issue. It just takes literally forever. I have less than 10gb of photos and videos and its taken well over 12 hours and its still not even done. I'm only even doing this because I'm switching phones and so I'm backing up my phone but I do not want to have my photos in my phones backup because I'd rather just have all my photos synced with iCloud. I need this thing to bloody finish so that I can proceed with my actual backup and hand my phone in. My battery is completely gone on this phone its literally expanded so much to the point where although still fully functional and operational, the right middle part of my screen from the edge has been lifted up due to battery expansion. It's a safety hazard to plug in this phone and use it but I have no other option because iCloud photos sync is just taking so long. I can't take my phone off charge for more than an hour because it will die, and on top of that, every hour iCloud pauses the upload to "optimize system performance" (yes I have been resuming it vigilantly when that happens). What do I even do at this point.

iPhone 14 Pro, iOS 26

Posted on Oct 29, 2025 4:22 AM

Reply
3 replies

Oct 29, 2025 5:49 PM in response to airfryersupremacy

"syncing iCloud photos is PAINFULLY slow for NO REASON: [...]I was of the impression that it I had already done this when I backed up my iPhone but its doing it again. Could you give some insight as to why it is this way?"

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Erase This:

How did you perform the reset? Erasing it is what you should have performed. Because you logged back in to your Apple Account on it, you may have chosen to get photos to upload. So, erase it; this time, however, chose not to sync items with iCloud. But, with all this corrosion, then I insist you erase it. To do that, take it to a Genius Bar Appointment at your local Apple Store or to an AASP (Apple Authorized Device Provider).


To Set Up a Genius Bar Appointment:

Set up a Genius Bar Appointment (GBA) at your local Apple Store.

  1. Siart here: Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple
  2. Scroll down to the Bottom of the page
  3. Click the Get hardware help button
  4. Proceed from there as necessary.

B. What to Bring:

Important: Bring some notes, your original proof of purchase, and create a backup prior to bringing it in. Though not required, bring the power adapter along, in case theirs does not work.  See More here: Get your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch Ready for Service - Apple Support


Take this to an AASP:

See an AASP (Apple Authorized Service Provider) in your local area...


Contacting an AASP: 

  1. Go Here: Find Locations - Apple Authorized Reseller
  2. Click: Service & Support
  3. Enter: your location information
  4. See: if there is an AASP nearby
  5. Contact: an AASP that shows up, and find out more about the services that they offer to fix the iPhone


Learning More: What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage? - Apple Support


Oct 29, 2025 5:41 AM in response to airfryersupremacy

"syncing iCloud photos is PAINFULLY slow for NO REASON: [...]My battery is completely gone on this phone its literally expanded so much to the point where although still fully functional and operational, the right middle part of my screen from the edge has been lifted up due to battery expansion. It's a safety hazard to plug in this phone and use it but I have no other option because iCloud photos sync is just taking so long.[...]"

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iCloud Photos Taking Bit:


A. Enable Photos in iCloud:

The only way of photos to upload to iCloud automatically is if you enable Photos in iCloud Settings. Nothing will be downloaded on its own.


B. Corroding Battery:

Well, with a corroding battery, it's a power issue. Rid of this device accordingly, perhaps at a recycling center that recycles batteries. Transferring all of this, hardwired, you might get a shock. So, hate to say it, but these photos may be gone.

Oct 29, 2025 8:38 AM in response to TheLittles

I didn't have any of it enabled till recently so I had to upload everything to iCloud in the past few days. Maybe I got lucky or something but now finally the sync has completed and I can see all my photos and videos on iCloud on my computer. However one thing is puzzling me, before resetting my iPhone, I backed it up through iCloud, and it worked, I can see my backup, and so I thought when I reset the phone it will reset instantly since all my data is already backed up. However, when I pressed the "reset iPhone" button and went through with it, it's going through an extra step and "backing up my data to iCloud" before proceeding with the reset. I was of the impression that it I had already done this when I backed up my iPhone but its doing it again. Could you give some insight as to why it is this way?

syncing iCloud photos is PAINFULLY slow for NO REASON

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