iCloud Photos now syncs with Windows 11 Photos app

Microsoft has begun rolling out a new feature that allows customers to view and edit iCloud photos directly within the company’s Windows 11 Photos app.

• What is happening? The promised iCloud Photos-Microsoft Photos integration is currently rolling out and should be available to all users by the end of November.
• Why care? You can finally manage iCloud photos and videos taken in Microsoft Photos, with any changes made on your PC automatically synced to iCloud.
• What to do? Update Microsoft Photos through the Microsoft Store, install iCloud for Windows on your PC, sign in with your Apple ID, and choose which media items are automatically synced to the Microsoft Photos app.

Microsoft launches iCloud Photos integration with Windows 11

For years, PC users had to manage their iPhone photos in Windows Explorer because the Microsoft Photos app wasn’t built to interact with iCloud Photos.

But the new version of Microsoft Photos now integrates with iCloud Photos, and any edits you make to photos on your PC sync to iCloud, and vice versa.

How to Use iCloud Photos in Microsoft Photos on Windows

You will need to install the latest version of Microsoft Photos [ Microsoft Store link ] on your computer. This update also brings other benefits such as a new gallery view. After that, you will also need to install the Apple iCloud app for Windows [ Microsoft Store link ].

If you already have iCloud for Windows, check if the new version is available in the Microsoft Store. Or use Apple Software Update from the Start menu to download and install updates for the Apple software installed on your PC, including iCloud for Windows. Read: How to get iCloud on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Windows PC

The next step is to open iCloud for Windows and sign in with your Apple ID account. Finally, turn on Photos and then click More to choose which photos or libraries will automatically sync with the Photos app in Windows 11.

If you didn’t notice this integration in Microsoft Photos at the time of writing, please try again in a few days. The Redmond-based company said it will complete the launch of the feature by the end of November.

Apple Music and TV Apps Coming to Windows Soon

Microsoft announced the feature on October 12, 2022, saying it will be ready for all users by the end of November, so the promise is being kept.

On November 10, the Windows maker confirmed to The Verge that it had begun a phased rollout of the promised integration to customers.

“We know that many Windows users have collections of photos and videos on their iPhones that they would like to be able to view on their PCs,”said Dave Grohoki, general product manager for Microsoft’s Windows inbox apps.

“This iCloud Photos integration will make it easier for iPhone owners to directly access all of their treasured memories in one organized place, and is another step in our ongoing efforts to provide a seamless Windows 11 experience.”

Microsoft has worked closely with Apple to implement the iCloud Photos and Windows Photos integration. This is not the only such collaboration between the two Silicon Valley giants. For example, Microsoft has said it will soon bring Apple Music and Apple TV+ music and video streaming services to Windows.