How to connect iCloud to the Photos app on Windows 11, 10

Here are the easy steps to connect Apple's iCloud to the new Photos app for Windows 11.

Avatar for Mauro Huculak
@Pureinfotech
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Windows 11 Photos with iCloud
Windows 11 Photos with iCloud
  • To connect iCloud to Photos, install the iCloud app on Windows 11 (and 10), open the Photos app, select “iCloud Photos,” and sign in with your Apple account to complete the integration.

UPDATED 9/10/2024: On Windows 11 (and 10), the Photos app includes an iCloud integration that allows iPhone and iPad users to view and manage their photos and videos from a single experience

The integration isn’t pretty since you have to install the iCloud app on your Windows computer, but after the setup, the Photos app will include a dedicated section for your pictures and videos.

In this guide, I’ll teach you how to connect the Photos app to the iCloud service on Windows 11 as well as on Windows 10.

Connect iCloud to Photos app on Windows 11

To connect iCloud to the Photos app on Windows 11 (or 10), use these steps:

  1. Open Photos on Windows 11.

  2. Click on iCloud Photos.

    Quick tip: If the option isn’t available, open the settings page in Photos and turn on the “Show iCloud Photos” toggle switch.

  3. Click the “Get iCloud for Windows” button.

    Windows 11 iCloud install

  4. Click the Get (or Install) button to install the app.

    Microsoft Store iCloud download

  5. Click the “Open iCloud for Windows” button in the Photos app.

  6. Sign in with your Apple credentials.

    Windows 11 Photos iCloud connection

Once you connect the Photos app to iCloud, you can access your media from the dedicated “iCloud Photos” tab on the left navigation pane. If you click the “All Photos” tab, your iCloud media will appear alongside your local and OneDrive media. If the attribute feature is enabled, each photo will have an iCloud icon to let you know the file’s location.

Although the integration for Windows 11 has been out for a couple of years, Microsoft only made the feature available for Windows 10, starting with version 2024.11080.30001.0. Microsoft says that the new feature will first be available in the Beta and Release Preview Channels for Windows 10. Also, not everyone will receive the integration immediately.

Update September 10, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].