Export iCloud photos to your Mac — as plain original files

The problem with the Photos app

To export originals with the Mac Photos app you usually need to switch it to Download Originals to this Mac — which means storing your entire library on your internal drive first, then using File → Export → Export Unmodified Original in batches. If your Mac doesn’t have room for the whole library, that’s a dead end.

Export iCloud downloads straight from iCloud to the folder you choose, so your library can go directly to an external SSD or NAS. You never need enough internal storage for the whole thing.

How to download iCloud photos to your Mac

1. Download Export iCloud for Mac, unzip it and move it to Applications. The first launch needs one extra click — see the steps.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID and enter the two-factor code.
3. Choose a folder — e.g. ~/Pictures/iCloud Export or a folder on an external drive.
4. Pick Export Only or Export and Delete, then click Start Export.

Files are saved in their original format (HEIC, JPEG, RAW, MOV…) with the capture date in the file name, so they sort correctly in Finder.

Free up iCloud — and your Mac

Use Export and Delete to move photos off iCloud entirely. Each item is removed from iCloud only after it has been saved. Read the full guide to freeing up iCloud storage.