iCloud Drive Desktop and Documents sync has been a game changer in terms of Mac users having the same stuff on all computers. Dropbox is probably more reliable and flexible, but it requires that you have a workflow of saving stuff into your Dropbox folder, and some Mac users just don’t want to do that; they want to put stuff in the Desktop and Documents folders that come on the computer, and call it a day.
iCloud Drive Desktop and Documents (which I’ll just call iCDD) takes care of that for them. And then, when they buy a new computer, rather than restore from a Time Machine backup (which is what I’d still recommend), they can just sign into their iCloud account and have access to all of their stuff, much like on their iPhone.
But what about the Downloads folder? Apple makes clear they expect what’s in your Downloads folder to be temporary, to be moved to elsewhere, or deleted. But that’s not how I roll, and many other people don’t either. Stuff accumulates there and I might want it regardless of what computer I actually downloaded it on.
If you want a synchronized Downloads folder, do this:
Put that Downloads folder in your sidebar (it will look like a regular folder, rather than a circle with a downward pointing arrow)
Move everything in your existing Downloads folder to the new Downloads folder
Remove the old (circular) Downloads folder from your sidebar by dragging it out, or by unchecking it under Finder -> Preferences -> Sidebar
Open Terminal, and type: sudo rm ~/Downloads; ln -s ~/Library/Mobile Documents/com~apple~CloudDocs/Downloads/ ~/Downloads
Enter your computer password (which you won’t see as you type)
If you’re not comfortable using Terminal, instead set each of your browsers, in their Preferences, to use your new Downloads folder instead of the one in your Home folder.
Repeat the above on each of your computers.
Are you still confused by how to copy photos from iCloud to external hard drive? Follow this guide you can easily move your favorite photos from iCloud to any external hard drive.
iCloud Transfer Tips
Transfer Data to iCloud
Export Data from iCloud
Sync iCloud with Other Sources
For most of the iOS users, iCloud is the very choice they choose to backup iPhone data, especially photos. As long as you enable iCloud Photo Library and connect your iDevice to Wi-Fi, you can easily save all your photos to iCloud for preservation.
As time goes by, more and more photos are stored in iCloud. If you want to transfer these photos from iCloud to an external hard drive for further use. How can you do that? Hence in this article, we will introduce two ways to help you easily transfer photos from iCloud to external hard drive. One is to download iCloud photos from the web browser, the other is to take advantage of a third-party tool.
How to Download iCloud Photos to Computer
As iCloud offers storage for users to save content, it also enables users to download it back. This method will introduce the way to export iCloud photos to the computer from the website, please follow the step-by-step guide below to see how to do it.
Step 1. Go to iCloud.com on your computer, log in with your Apple ID.
Step 2. You will see the interface as below when you log in.
Step 3. Choose Photos to start to manage your iCloud Photos.
Step 4. Find the photos you want to save to the external hard drive, click the download button on the upper right corner.
Download Selected Photos to the Computer
When the downloading process is finished, the photos you choose are successfully exported to your computer. Then connect your external hard drive to the computer via a USB cable, copy and paste the downloaded photos to it.
Transfer Photos from iCloud to External Hard Drive with AnyTrans
The Tool You Need – AnyTrans for iOS
To download iCloud photos from the web browser, you can only choose photos one by one. It is pretty inconvenient for users who want to bulk download iCloud photos. Here to solve the problem, we find a third-party tool to help. AnyTrans for iOS is a professional iOS data management tool, which can help you easily manage your iPhone/iPad data like notes, music, photos, etc. Besides managing iOS data, AnyTrans for iOS adds a set of functions of managing iCloud contents to keep your iCloud files and data in the right place, like:
AnyTrans – iCloud Manage Tool
Support managing iCloud contents, including Photos, Videos, Contacts.
Enable to directly back up iOS files to iCloud from iDevice or computer.
Support downloading contents from the iCloud to PC or hard drive.
Support deleting multiple or unwanted iOS contents from iCloud at once.
Step 1. Download AnyTrans for iOS and launch it on your computer > Click iCloud Manager > Sign in your Apple ID > Connect your external hard drive to the computer.
Transfer iCloud Photos to External Hard Drive with AnyTrans – Step 2
Step 3. Choose Photos you want to transfer > Click the Select button to change the export path > Select your external hard drive > Choose one Folder > Click “Next” to start transferring iCloud photos to your external hard drive.
Transfer iCloud Photos to External Hard Drive with AnyTrans – Step 3
1. You’ll not be allowed to log in your iCloud account on the third-party software with turning on TWO-STEP VERIFICATION, so please turn it off temporarily.
Download Icloud Photos To Mac
2. You can also use this method to copy contacts, calendars, notes, etc.
Open Icloud Drive On Mac
Also read: How to Transfer Photos from iPhone/iPad to USB Flash Drive>
The Bottom Line
In this way, you can easily save iCloud photos to your external hard drive both on PC and Mac. Moreover, AnyTrans for iOS can help you transfer other kinds of iOS data like songs, videos, ringtones, etc. It’s amazing, isn’t it? Download AnyTrans for iOS to start a pleasant transfer tour.