Overview: iCloud Photos Low Resolution Issue

A low resolution indicates a reduced density of the dots that form the image. As a result, if the image resolution is low, the photo may appear blurry or exhibit jagged and rough edges, especially when viewed on larger screens or when zoomed in. This is one of the common issues users encounter with iCloud Photos. This can be frustrating, especially when you want to appreciate the details of your photos or share high-quality photos. 

Image Resolution

How to Troubleshoot iCloud Photos Low Resolution Problems

If you're experiencing low-resolution iCloud photos, try the following troubleshooting steps:

1. Check original photos

Verify that the original photos you uploaded are of high quality. 

  • Access your device's photo library: Open the Photos app on your device.
  • Locate the photos: Find the photos that appear low resolution in iCloud.
  • Examine quality: Zoom in on the photos and check for pixelation or blurriness. 

If the original photos are also low quality, it's likely that the issue lies with the source images.

2. Review iCloud settings

Ensure that your iCloud settings are configured correctly for optimal photo quality.

  • Open iCloud settings: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos.
  • Verify iCloud Photo Library: Ensure that iCloud Photo Library is enabled. If it's disabled, enable it and wait for your photos to sync.
  • Check My Photo Stream: Verify that My Photo Stream is enabled. This feature can help preserve higher-quality versions of your photos.
  • Adjust upload size: If you have a fast internet connection, consider setting the upload size to "Original" to avoid automatic compression.

3. Test internet connection

Make sure you have a stable and fast internet connection. Use a speed test tool to measure your internet connection's download and upload speeds. A slow or unstable connection can affect photo upload quality. If possible, connect to a different Wi-Fi network or use cellular data to see if the issue persists.

4. Update software

Keep your devices and iCloud software up-to-date with the latest versions..

  • Check for updates: Go to Settings > General > Software Update on your device and check for available updates.

Update iOS

 If updates are available, download and install them to ensure you're using the latest versions of your device's software and iCloud

5. Contact Apple support

If you've tried all these steps and are still experiencing issues, reach out to Apple support for further assistance.

Proactive measures to Prevent Low Resolution Photos

While you cannot directly control the compression settings used by iCloud Photos, you can adjust other settings to potentially improve photo quality:

  • Upload size: If you have a fast internet connection, consider uploading your photos in their original quality instead of using the automatic compression setting.
  • My Photo Stream: Ensure that My Photo Stream is enabled, as this can help preserve higher-quality versions of your photos.
  • iCloud Photo Library: Make sure iCloud Photo Library is turned on and that you have sufficient storage space to avoid automatic downgrading of photos.

Besides, you can also improve Photo Quality in iCloud by: 

  • Use high-quality cameras: Capture photos with high-resolution cameras to ensure better image quality.
  • Avoid excessive editing: Overediting photos can sometimes degrade their original quality.
  • Upload photos directly: If possible, upload photos directly from your camera or device to iCloud to avoid unnecessary compression.

Bonus Tip: Transfer or Sync Files between iCloud and Other Clouds

This article answers the question "how to fix low resolution images in iCloud Photos". If you’re considering migrating files from your current cloud service to iCloud Photos/ iCloud Drive, or vice versa, MultCloud can be extremely useful. Trusted by over 3 million users, MultCloud is a multi-cloud management tool that facilitates the transfer or synchronization of files between various cloud services.

For instance, it allows for seamless file transfers from cloud drives like Google Drive to iCloud Photos without the need to download and then re-upload files. MultCloud also enables you to access and manage all your cloud accounts via a single application. Currently, it supports more than 30 different cloud services, including Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, Google Photos, iCloud Photos, FTP, WebDav, and more.

  • Cloud Transfer: MultCloud can transfer files from one cloud service to another directly without downloading and re-uploading.
  • Cloud Sync: With MultCloud, you can easily sync two folders between different cloud services in real-time.
  • Cloud Backup: You can backup and restore data between different cloud services automatically.
  • Instagram Downloader: MultCloud can help you download Instagram videos, photos, reels and stories to local device or remotely upload them to your clouds.
  • Email Migration: You can directly back up and save Gmail emails as PDFs to your computer or cloud drive in bulk. 
  • Manage all cloud accounts in one place: Connect all your clouds to MultCloud and you'll find it so easy to access and manage multiple cloud storage files with a single login.