A question for serious iCloud users

[Feyl]

Hi people, I've been thinking about buying the 200 GB option for iCloud, mainly for storing and syncing my photos between my devices.

So my question(s) is, how reliable the service is, how fast it is, and if I can rely on it in terms of not losing any of my photos, etc.

I heard that Apple's head of iCloud infrastructure technology departed the company and it makes me think if iCloud has some issues. I would like to hear your feedback and experience with it. Thank you all!

 

[Lappen71]

I have never ever lost a photo because iCloud problem. So in my opinion iCloud Photo-library is very reliable.
The times i read about people loose pictures in the end its because of human error in their part.

Why should there be a problem with iCloud because the head of iCloud departed? I don't understand the connection.

 

[ZEEN0j]

Never lost a photo and syncing has always worked for me. My biggest gripe is when using optimize photos. If a video isn’t local and it has to stream it, it can be very slow and the video can stutter. Really hope they can get some faster servers. This is my experience from Sweden. It may differ elsewhere

 

[Feyl]

I have never ever lost a photo because iCloud problem. So in my opinion iCloud Photo-library is very reliable.
The times i read about people loose pictures in the end its because of human error in their part.

Why should there be a problem with iCloud because the head of iCloud departed? I don't understand the connection.

Well, it raises some questions like why he left, was he fired, etc...
[doublepost=1515343789][/doublepost]

Never lost a photo and syncing has always worked for me. My biggest gripe is when using optimize photos. If a video isn’t local and it has to stream it, it can be very slow and the video can stutter. Really hope they can get some faster servers. This is my experience from Sweden. It may differ elsewhere

That sucks but I could probably live with it. It's good to know that because I'm from Europe too.

 

[Lappen71]

Well, it raises some questions like why he left, was he fired, etc...
[doublepost=1515343789][/doublepost]
That sucks but I could probably live with it. It's good to know that because I'm from Europe too.

No why? Just because he left or got fired the hardware and software behind iCloud didn't change.
You reading in to things that not there

 

[Mefisto]

Never really had a substantial problem with iCloud Photos. What I mean by that is that I think once I had to resync all photos to it, but that has been it for me, other than one incident it's working great.

I do, however, still save the photos on my MBP as well as having them in the cloud, so should I ever lose a photo / video for whatever reason, there is a backup available locally and on Time Machine.

As to the speed, edits and such on existing photos are pretty much instantaneous, and new photos are uploaded pretty fast as well. What I really like is that Apple added the option to use cellular data for iCloud Photo Library, works like a charm, and I don't have to wait till I get home to upload a hundred (usually less, but you get the idea) photos all at once.

 

[mikzn]

Never lost a photo and syncing has always worked for me. My biggest gripe is when using optimize photos. If a video isn’t local and it has to stream it, it can be very slow and the video can stutter. Really hope they can get some faster servers. This is my experience from Sweden. It may differ elsewhere

I agree with ZEENOj - wifi can slow down syncing between devices and iCloud and your 200 gig would be a lot of photos and syncing. I use a separate drive and manage all photos for the past 16 years in Photos (and iPhoto) and store on a separate media drive (WD my passport).

I do like iCloud for multiple access to current files / projects / documents / pictures and use it a lot for stuff I am working on but for archiving and back up I like to have a non cloud copy. Also working on large amounts of photos or larger videos is more productive on the MBP

 

[KrisLord]

iCloud is a storage solution, it’s not a backup.

You should have a copy somewhere else.... that could be a Mac that’s downloading full resolution images and is then backed up itself...

 

[Strelok]

Well, it raises some questions like why he left, was he fired, etc...

One guy didn’t develop the entire infrastructure. He might have been the one dictating the overall direction, but he didn’t do any of the actual work.

I’ve never had issues with iCloud, I subscribe to the 50GB option.

 

[Feyl]

No why? Just because he left or got fired the hardware and software behind iCloud didn't change.
You reading in to things that not there

I'm just cautious you know. Many sources are saying that Google and Microsoft are much further in their cloud services.
[doublepost=1515352072][/doublepost]

iCloud is a storage solution, it’s not a backup.

You should have a copy somewhere else.... that could be a Mac that’s downloading full resolution images and is then backed up itself...

One of my backup drives just died a few days ago. That's why I'm interested in iCloud.

 

[Julien]

One of my backup drives just died a few days ago. That's why I'm interested in iCloud.

You can buy a 200GB flash or USB drive for few months of iCloud. Do this first BECUSE you should have a backup and iCloud is NOT a backup service but a syncing service. Then start using iCloud after you have a REAL backup.

 

[KrisLord]

I'm just cautious you know. Many sources are saying that Google and Microsoft are much further in their cloud services.
[doublepost=1515352072][/doublepost]
One of my backup drives just died a few days ago. That's why I'm interested in iCloud.

Consider iCloud in addition to a backup and it’s fine.

 

[Tech198]

Be a 'cautious George'.

Go in with the understanding : what if

Not.. "this is gonna work and upload all photos there expecting the service will be there whenever u need it at all times"

For instance, don't use it unless u have a backup...... So many people think it can't happen, but it does to them....

It may not affect everyone, but that doesn't mean the unthinkable cannot happen either. It is still technology after, all we are relying on 100% to make it work...

When your dealing with that many photos, a backup is always the first thing in my mind, and that becomes much more of a reality of a "sure thing" when the amount of data grows i need to sync (than just a dream)

 

[Lappen71]

I'm just cautious you know. Many sources are saying that Google and Microsoft are much further in their cloud services.
[doublepost=1515352072][/doublepost]
One of my backup drives just died a few days ago. That's why I'm interested in iCloud.

So then the its easy. Choose them.

 

[Feyl]

So then the its easy. Choose them.

It would be easy if they care about privacy as Apple. I don't want my photos to be processed or sell on the internet. I just wanted to know from you guys if I can count on iCloud, that's all.

 

[oldhifi]

THINK Apple AirPort Time Capsule

 

[ZEEN0j]

Well, it raises some questions like why he left, was he fired, etc...
[doublepost=1515343789][/doublepost]
That sucks but I could probably live with it. It's good to know that because I'm from Europe too.

Yeah, I live with is as well. I got a 64gb iPhone this year so this is the main reason as my photos take maybe 45gb in storage. The most recent photos and videos are local though. So it's only memories and when going back looking at old photos that are affected.

 

[Pym_us]

iCloud is a storage solution, it’s not a backup.

You should have a copy somewhere else.... that could be a Mac that’s downloading full resolution images and is then backed up itself...

I agree. To this end, I'm trying to get my photos backed up to external drive. I wanted to copy the files from iCloud to the drive but can't seem to find a way to select them all. I then tried copying from the Macbook Pro (in default Photos app) and the copies have all been renamed? For example, IMG_00001.jpg is now +5rTYDHGrrterrRertzz=_thumb_359.jpg. This should be a simple copy and paste and it's seems ridiculously hard to accomplish. Any guidance would be appreciated. New Member - first post too. Best - Pym

 

[mikzn]

I agree. To this end, I'm trying to get my photos backed up to external drive. I wanted to copy the files from iCloud to the drive but can't seem to find a way to select them all. I then tried copying from the Macbook Pro (in default Photos app) and the copies have all been renamed? For example, IMG_00001.jpg is now +5rTYDHGrrterrRertzz=_thumb_359.jpg. This should be a simple copy and paste and it's seems ridiculously hard to accomplish. Any guidance would be appreciated. New Member - first post too. Best - Pym

just copy the whole library file - example = Photos_Library.photoslibrary

in the pictures folder - i use CCC to back up - but if you do manually add a date - Photos_Library-BAK8jan2018.photoslibrary