14 DAY TRIAL // Announced earlier this year, the iCloud Photos integration in Windows 11 is now rolling out to users thanks to the latest update for the Photos app.
There was a time when Apple and Microsoft were considered fierce rivals whose software couldn’t live together on the same platform.
Times have changed though, and right now, we have Microsoft Edge on macOS and iTunes in the Microsoft Store, with users of both companies, therefore, getting access to each other’s software on both platforms.
Starting today, Windows 11 users are also getting access to iCloud Photos right from their devices, so it’s becoming even easier to live as an Apple user on Windows.
Here’s what you need to know.
The new feature obviously offers easy access to content stored in iCloud right from the Photos app, which means that all images will now live together on a Windows 11 device under the same roof.
“We know that many Windows customers have photo and video collections on their iPhones that they would like to be able to view on their PC. This iCloud Photos integration will make it easier for those with an iPhone to have direct access to all their cherished memories in one organized place and is another step in our continued efforts to make experiences on Windows 11 seamless,” Microsoft explains.
Needless to say, users are allowed to use more than just one cloud service in the Photos app. In other words, all photos will be displayed in the Photos app, no matter if they are stored in iCloud or in OneDrive. Both services feel at home on Windows 11 devices following this update, so you can configure the Photos app as the one library for multiple sources where your images are stored, including local hard drives and cloud services.
However, if you want to see iCloud Photos in the Photos app, it’s not enough to just install the most recent version of the app. The software giant explains that you also need to install iCloud for Windows on your computer.
“To bring your iCloud Photos into the Photos app, make sure your Photos app is updated and then install the iCloud for Windows app, all from the Microsoft Store. From there, sign in and choose to sync your photos, and all your iCloud Photos content will appear automatically in your Photos app,” the company explains.
Worth knowing is that the feature is specifically aimed at Windows 11 2022 Update users, but it should theoretically work properly on the other supported versions of Windows 11 as well. However, devices must meet the prerequisites mentioned above, and the most recent version of the Photos app must be installed.
“It is our aspiration that experiences like this make the things you do every day easier than ever. This announcement is a reflection of our commitment to deliver continuous innovation in Windows to inspire and empower you. As promised, we will continue to announce, document and deliver new features and experiences when they are ready,” Microsoft says.
While the arrival of iCloud Photos in Windows 11 is obviously good news for Apple users, worth knowing is that the new integration isn’t yet live for all users. The rollout started earlier today, but Microsoft says that not everybody is getting it on day one. The process will continue in the coming weeks, with the company explaining that all Windows 11 users should be able to see their iCloud photos in the Photos app by the end of the month.