Apple announced in a support document that it’s pulling the plug on My Photo Stream on July 26, 2023. The service, which allowed users to sync their photos across Apple devices, will no longer be available. Here’s everything you need to know about this development.
Initially known as Photo Stream, this image syncing service was introduced during WWDC 2011. It offered the convenience of automatically uploading up to 1,000 recently-clicked photos from an iPhone or iPad to iCloud. These photos remained in the cloud for 30 days and were automatically downloaded to other devices linked to the same Apple ID, including Macs and Windows PCs. Additionally, new images imported to the iPhoto app on a Mac were seamlessly synced across devices.
However, with the introduction of iCloud Photos, My Photo Stream became redundant. iCloud Photos not only uploads photos and videos but also syncs edits made to the media. While both services store images in iCloud, My Photo Stream does not support access on Apple Watch and the iCloud website. On the other hand, iCloud Photos offers extended storage and a seamless experience across devices. Keep in mind that My Photo Stream uploads do not count against your iCloud storage, whereas iCloud Photos utilizes storage based on availability.
To save your My Photo Stream images to your library on your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps: Go to Photos > Albums, select My Photo Stream, choose the desired photos, and tap on the Share button, then Save Image.
It’s important to note that if your Apple ID was created in recent years, you might not see the My Photo Stream option on your devices. Apple has stated that the service will no longer accept new uploads from June 26. Photos uploaded prior to that date will remain in iCloud for 30 days before being deleted. To continue backing up your photos and videos online, consider subscribing to an iCloud storage plan or the Apple One bundle subscription. By default, iCloud provides 5GB of free online storage that is shared across all your devices.
Apple’s decision to discontinue My Photo Stream marks the end of an era for this photo syncing service. With the arrival of iCloud Photos, users can enjoy a more seamless and comprehensive experience when it comes to photo storage and syncing across Apple devices. Remember to explore alternative options and consider subscribing to an iCloud storage plan or the Apple One bundle subscription to ensure your photos and videos are safely backed up online.
