Photos not uploading to icloud after upgrading storage

iCloud is one of the popular cloud storage services for storing your files, mostly used by Apple users. The most striking feature about iCloud is its compatibility with all platforms. However, sometimes, you may encounter an issue when trying to upload your photos to iCloud.

It could be terrifying if you ever lost your images because they weren’t syncing or uploading to iCloud. For various reasons, such problems arise if you are not connected to the internet or trying to upload a picture while you are on low power mode.

In this article, I have compiled a list of solutions to solve this issue of photos not uploading to iCloud. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

Reasons Behind Your Photos Not Uploading to iCloud

Your photos might fail to upload to iCloud due to various causes. Here I’ve compiled the most common causes.

  • Unstable Internet Connection: Your internet connection plays a big role while uploading your photos on iCloud. If you have an unstable internet connection, there’s a high chance your photos will take longer to upload or might fail in the middle.
  • Low iCloud storage: Another common cause your photos won’t upload would be your device running out of iCloud storage. 
  • Low battery: If you are trying to upload your pictures when you are running out of battery, in that case, your iCloud may pause the uploading task. 
  • iCloud server down: Photos won’t upload to iCloud not just because of your device or internet connection issues. Problems like this can occue due to an iCloud server malfunction also.
  • Enabled low power mode: If you have enabled this feature on your device, then it will restrict most background activities to save the battery, stopping the iCloud from functioning properly. 

How to Fix Photos Not Uploading to iCloud

Once you know why your photos are not uploading to iCloud, let’s see what you can do to fix it in more detail. 

Check Your Internet Connection

If your device is not connected to the Internet, you won’t be able to upload the pictures on iCloud. A stable and fast internet connection can help you quickly upload your pictures to iCloud.

If you are using cellular data to upload, make sure to buy a data plan, as uploading on iCloud can consume more data. You can check your internet speed on different websites or apps available on the Internet.  

Connect the Charger

Uploading on iCloud consumes more battery. So, if you are low on battery, it will auto-pause such activity, which can be another reason your photos are not uploading. Therefore, connecting the charger or letting your device have at least 50% battery can fix such issues.

Disable Low Power Mode

It’s always not necessary to enable low power mode manually as it restricts many apps from functioning properly in the background, which can lead to problems like this. If you have enabled this feature, your photos might fail to upload on iCloud.

Your device will send you notifications if you are below 20% of the battery. You can enable it at that time if you wish to. Here’s how you can disable the low power mode. 

  1. Open Control Center.
  2. Tap on the Battery Icon to disable it.
    Tap on the Battery icon to disable it

Alternatively, you can also disable from the device setting.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Battery and disable it.
    Click on Battery and disable it

Grant Permission to Upload on iCloud

Your files won’t upload to iCloud unless you give permission. So, make sure to check the settings and enable it to upload your photos on iCloud. You can go to iCloud settings by following the given steps.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap on your Apple ID.
  3. Tap on iCloud.
    Tap
on iCloud
  4. Click on Photos.
    Click on Photos
  5. Then, make sure to toggle on the iCloud Photos.
    Then, make sure to toggle on the iCloud Photos

Check Your iCloud Storage

If you grant all the necessary permission but are still unable to upload your pictures, then it can be due to a lack of iCloud storage. In this case, you can either buy iCloud storage, clear the storage or use third-party apps to upload your pictures. Thus, first checking the iCloud is necessary. 

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap on your Apple Id.
  3. Tap on iCloud.
    Tap on iCloud
  4. Check the storage at the top.
    Check the storage at the top

Check Your Device Storage

Just like you need to have enough iCloud storage, it is also necessary to have enough storage on your device to upload on iCloud. Therefore, you also need to keep an eye on your device storage. If you have limited storage, then deleting unused apps or unwanted files can help to free some space. Here’s how you can check your device storage.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap on General.
  3. Tap on iPhone Storage.
    Tap on iPhone Storage
  4. Wait for a few seconds to let your device calculate all the data.  
    Wait for a few seconds to let your device calculate all the data

Restart Your Device

Restarting the device is also one of the easiest activities you can do to fix your photos not uploading to iCloud. If your device has some glitches, it will clear out the problem. Not just that, Restarting can also improve your device’s performance by starting it fresh and clearing the temporary data in the memory. To restart your device, follow the given instructions.

First, You need to switch off the iPhone.

  1. Press and hold the side button for a couple of seconds.
  2. Swipe left to right to turn it off.

To turn your device on press and hold the side buttons until you can see Apple logo on the screen

Re-login With Your Apple Id 

Your Apple ID can have some errors, which can lead to problems like this. You can sign out and sign in back which can fix such a glitch. Signing out of Apple ID also signs you out from iMessage, iCloud and other apps.  To re-login your Apple ID, go through the below steps.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap on your Apple ID.
  3. Scroll down and click on Sign Out.
    Scroll down and click on sign out
  4. Confirm with your Apple ID.
  5. Wait for 2-3 minutes before you sign in back.
  6. After logging in, restart your device.

Update to the Latest iOS

If you are running an old version, it might have some bugs. So, updating your iPhone to the latest software version can solve such an issue. Besides solving previous bugs, Apple also adds new features through software updates. To update your iPhone to the latest version, follow the given steps.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap on General.
  3. Tap on Software Update.
    Tap on Software Update
  4. Click on Download and Install.
    Click on Download and Install

How do I save photos to iCloud After upgrading storage?

Store your photos and videos in iCloud.
Tap Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos..
Turn on iCloud Photos..
Select Optimize iPhone Storage to save space on your device..

Why are the photos on my iPhone not uploading to iCloud?

If you exceed your iCloud storage limit, photos and videos won't upload to iCloud and your library won't stay up to date across your devices. To continue using iCloud Photos, upgrade your storage plan or reduce the amount of storage that you're using.

How long does it take for iCloud photos to update?

When you turn on iCloud Photos, the upload time for your photos and videos depends on the size of your collection and your internet speed. Expect a 24 to 48 hour wait for your first iCloud sync, especially if you have a large library. You can track the upload progress from the indicator at the bottom of your library.

Why does my iPhone say I don't have enough iCloud storage when I do?

This error message is pointing to lack of storage space in your iCloud Account and has nothing to do with lack of native storage space on your iPhone. Hence, the only way to fix “Not Enough iCloud Storage” error on iPhone or iPad is to free up storage space in your iCloud Account or buy additional iCloud Storage Space.