iCloud Photo Library & Photos app

[vjaaan]

If I transfer all of my photos from my external drive into the iCloud Photo Library, will I always have access to the fullsize original photo file when I want to print or use it in any way?

I have heard that what becomes available on each of my devices (MacBook Pro 2010, iPad Air, iPhone 6) would be smaller files for easier viewing or access. But I want to be sure I can get those full files when I want them.

And will any photo taken on any device immediately be available on all devices? And if I want to delete a photo (from everything), can I do that easily by deleting it from one?

Thanks.

 

[mrnorwegian]

1. You can get the full sizes when you want them. If you choose the "optimize storage" option, your device will download the original from iCloud as needed. "Store originals" always keeps the original on your device. A good setup for you would probably be to choose download originals on the macbook pro (for backup) and selecting optimize storage on your iPad and iPhone. The Photos library can be kept on your external if your Macbook does not have enough space.

2. Any photo will be available on the other devices as soon as it has been uploaded to iCloud (wifi must be used) and then downloaded on the other devices.

3. All deletions are synced.

 

[aristobrat]

I just decided to give iCloud Photo Library a go earlier today, to see how it all works out. I upgraded my iCloud Drive to 200GB and enabled iCloud Photo Library feature in Photos. 13.04GB of 96.9GB uploaded so far...