diff --git a/docs/docs/photos/migration/from-apple-photos/index.md b/docs/docs/photos/migration/from-apple-photos/index.md index 6a0d6e0434c..55e75a3f516 100644 --- a/docs/docs/photos/migration/from-apple-photos/index.md +++ b/docs/docs/photos/migration/from-apple-photos/index.md @@ -20,6 +20,64 @@ your iCloud library and import. > (Note: this is only needed during the initial import, subsequently > the app will automatically backup photos in the background as you take them). +## Importing iCloud Shared Photo Library to Ente + +iCloud Shared Photo Library lets up to 6 people share a unified photo +collection. Ente does not have an equivalent feature — instead, Ente offers +[shared and collaborative albums](/photos/features/sharing-and-collaboration/collaboration) on a per-album +basis. + +To migrate photos from iCloud Shared Photo Library to Ente, on mobile, you need +to first move them into your personal iCloud library, then import them into +Ente. + +### 1. Move Shared Library photos to your Personal Library + +**On iPhone or iPad:** + +1. Open `Settings > (Apps >) Photos > Shared Library`. +2. Tap **Leave Shared Library** (or **Delete Shared Library** if you are the + organizer). +3. When prompted, choose **Keep Everything** to copy every photo from the Shared + Library into your Personal Library. + +> [!IMPORTANT] +> +> Make sure iCloud Photos has fully synced before leaving the Shared Library. +> Open `Settings > Photos` and confirm the sync status shows "Up to Date". If +> photos have not finished downloading, you may end up with lower-resolution +> copies or missing files. + +> [!TIP] +> +> If you do not want to leave the Shared Library yet, you can also manually +> select photos in the Shared Library view and move them to your Personal +> Library without leaving. + +### 2. Import into Ente + +Once the photos are in your Personal Library, install the Ente app on your +iPhone. It will directly read from your iCloud library and back up everything, +including the photos you just moved from the Shared Library. + +### 3. What about metadata? + +- **EXIF data** (dates, location, camera info) embedded in photo files is + preserved during import. +- **Favorites, album membership, and People tags** are stored only inside Apple + Photos and are not embedded in exported files. + +### Desktop alternative + +If mobile is not an option, on macOS you can directly export photos from the +Shared Library view without moving them to your Personal Library first. + +1. Open the Photos app and switch to **Shared Library** view using the library + selector in the toolbar. +2. Select all photos (`Command + A`). +3. Click `File > Export > Export Unmodified Originals` and choose a destination + folder. + For information regarding desktop migration, please go through this [FAQ](/photos/faq/migration#importing-from-apple-photos).