Skip to content
Open
Changes from all commits
Commits
File filter

Filter by extension

Filter by extension

Conversations
Failed to load comments.
Loading
Jump to
Jump to file
Failed to load files.
Loading
Diff view
Diff view
58 changes: 58 additions & 0 deletions docs/docs/photos/migration/from-apple-photos/index.md
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -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).

Expand Down