TL;DR
iCloud Photos Downloader is an open-source command-line utility that downloads iCloud photo libraries to local storage on Linux, Windows, and macOS. The volunteer-maintained project supports multiple install methods, several sync modes, Live Photos/RAW handling, and includes options for continuous monitoring and metadata updates.
What happened
The iCloud Photos Downloader project provides a cross-platform command-line tool for exporting photos from an iCloud account to local storage. Distributed as standalone executables and through package ecosystems (Docker, PyPI, AUR, npm) or from source, the tool runs on Linux, Windows and macOS and targets devices from desktops to NAS systems. It supports three main operation modes—copy (download new items), sync (mirror iCloud deletions locally with –auto-delete) and move (download and remove from iCloud using –keep-icloud-recent-days). Feature support includes Live Photos (as separate image and video files), RAW images including RAW+JPEG, automatic de-duplication, EXIF datetime updates, incremental run optimizations and a watch mode for continuous monitoring. The project is developed by volunteers, requests maintainer help in its README, and lists a weekly release cadence for when there are deliverables. The README also documents iCloud account prerequisites to avoid ACCESS_DENIED errors.
Why it matters
- Gives users a way to export and archive iCloud-stored photos to local or network storage under user control.
- Cross-platform availability and multiple packaging options make it usable in diverse environments including NAS and CI systems.
- Features for synchronization, de-duplication and metadata handling help automate backups and library maintenance.
- Volunteer maintenance and an explicit maintainer search introduce uncertainty about long-term stewardship and support.
- Account configuration prerequisites are required to avoid access errors, which affects usability for some users.
Key facts
- Name: iCloud Photos Downloader (command-line tool; executable named icloudpd).
- Supported platforms: Linux, Windows, macOS; suitable for laptops, desktops and NAS.
- Distribution: standalone executables and package ecosystems including Docker, PyPI, AUR and npm.
- Primary modes: Copy (default), Sync (–auto-delete), Move (–keep-icloud-recent-days).
- Supports Live Photos (image + video), RAW (including RAW+JPEG) and automatic de-duplication.
- Options include continuous monitoring (–watch-with-interval), incremental optimizations (–until-found, –recent) and EXIF updates (–set-exif-datetime).
- Authentication helper: –auth-only can create/authorize a session and complete 2SA/2FA validation if needed.
- Project maintained by volunteers and README includes a notice 'Looking for MAINTAINER for this project'.
- The repository states a target release cadence of once a week (Friday) when there are changes.
- Repository metrics shown in the source: about 9.8k stars, 700 forks, and 80 releases; primary language is Python (93.7%).
What to watch next
- Project maintainer search and volunteer-driven maintenance — staffing changes could affect release frequency and support.
- Experimental mode: features are trialed there before graduating to the main package.
- Weekly release cadence (Friday when there are deliverables) — watch release notes for breaking changes or new options.
Quick glossary
- Command-line interface (CLI): A text-based interface used to run programs and pass options by typing commands rather than using a graphical interface.
- Live Photo: An Apple photo format that combines a still image with a short video clip recorded around the same time.
- RAW image: An image file that contains minimally processed sensor data from a camera, preserving more detail for editing.
- EXIF metadata: Metadata embedded in image files that typically includes capture date/time, camera settings and sometimes location.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): A security process requiring two forms of verification, often a password plus a one-time code or device confirmation.
Reader FAQ
How can I install and run iCloud Photos Downloader?
Install via a downloaded executable, through package ecosystems (Docker, PyPI, AUR, npm) or build from source; run the executable named icloudpd. Example usage for continuous sync: icloudpd –directory /data –username my@email.address –watch-with-interval 3600.
Does it support accounts with two-factor authentication?
The tool provides an –auth-only option to create and authorize a session and complete 2SA/2FA validation if needed.
Will it delete photos from iCloud?
Yes: the 'move' mode can remove photos from iCloud (using –keep-icloud-recent-days) and the 'sync' mode can remove local files that were removed in iCloud with –auto-delete.
Is the project actively maintained?
The project is developed and maintained by volunteers and the README includes a notice seeking a maintainer; the repository also indicates a target weekly release cadence.
Is there a graphical user interface (GUI) available?
not confirmed in the source
!!!! Looking for MAINTAINER for this project !!!! iCloud Photos Downloader A command-line tool to download all your iCloud photos. Works on Linux, Windows, and macOS; laptop, desktop, and NAS…
Sources
- iCloud Photos Downloader
- icloudpd 1.32.2
- Install iCloud Photo Downloader on Linux | Snap Store
- How to Download iCloud Photos to Any Device
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