Thanks largely to the deep integration and the power of iCloud, your data including photos syncs seamlessly between iPhone and iPad. Hence, you can count on it to keep your entire cluster of photos and videos readily available and accessible on your iDevices. However, there are times when Apple’s famed photo syncing goes for a toss, failing to get the job down on the expected lines. For this very reason, I thought it would be cool to talk about the 16 best tips and tricks to fix photo syncing issues between iPhone and iPad.
Fix iPhone Photos Not Syncing with iPad
There are several reasons why photo syncing goes out of track between iOS and iPadOS. iCloud settings might be off, storage could be full, or syncing might be delayed due to network issues. In this detailed troubleshooting guide, we are going to sort out these well-known culprits. That said, let’s get started!
1. Enable iCloud Photos on Both Devices
Note that iCloud Photos must be enabled on both iPhone and iPad to sync images.
- To get it done, go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud.
- Choose Photos.
- Now, make sure Sync this iPhone/iPad is turned ON.
2. Use the Same Apple ID
It’s worth pointing out that Syncing only works when both devices are logged into the same Apple ID.
- Double-check under Settings > Apple ID on both devices to ensure the account is identical.
3. Connect Both Devices to Wi-Fi
Keep in mind that iCloud Photos requires a stable Wi-Fi connection for syncing.
- Keep an eye on the cellular connections as they may delay or pause uploads/downloads depending on settings.
4. Check iCloud Storage Space
Bear in mind that if your iCloud storage is full, new photos won’t be uploaded or synced.
- On your iDevice, head over to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Manage Storage and clear space or upgrade your plan.
5. Turn Off Low Power Mode
It’s worth pointing out that the Low Power Mode restricts background syncing to save battery.
- You can disable it via Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode on both iPhone and iPad.
6. Restart Both Devices
Never miss out on a simple restart as it can let you refresh system processes and resume photo syncing.
- Simply, power off both devices, wait a few seconds, and turn them back on.
7. Check the Photos App on iPad
Sometimes photos are still syncing and not yet visible.
- Open the Photos app and scroll down to refresh or wait for new photos to appear.
8. Enable Upload to My Photo Stream (If Applicable)
If you’re not using iCloud Photos, Photo Stream must be turned on for syncing.
- Navigate to the Settings app on your iDevice > Photos > Upload to My Photo Stream on both devices.
9. Allow Photos to Use Mobile Data (Optional)
If Wi-Fi isn’t available, allowing cellular uploads/downloads may help.
- Fire up the Settings app on your iPhone/iPad > Photos > Cellular Data and toggle Cellular Data ON (available on cellular iPads only).
10. Update iOS on Both Devices
It’s no secret that running outdated iOS versions can cause compatibility or syncing issues.
- On your iPhone/iPad, dive into the Settings app > General > Software Update and install the latest version.
11. Sign Out and Back Into iCloud
This can fix account sync errors and re-establish iCloud syncing.
- To begin with, head straight into the Settings app > Apple ID > Sign Out, then sign back in on both devices.
12. Force Photo Sync by Taking a New Picture
Sometimes, iCloud needs a trigger to start syncing. So, take a new photo on your iPhone and wait a few minutes to see if it appears on the iPad.
13. Disable and Re-enable iCloud Photos
Toggling this setting can reset the syncing behavior.
- Navigate to the Settings app > Photos > iCloud Photos, turn it OFF, then turn it back ON (note: photos may be removed temporarily).
14. Reset Network Settings
Network issues may block communication with iCloud servers. So, I’d recommend you reset the network settings to get rid of the network issues.
- Go to Settings app on your iPhone or iPad > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
15. Check Apple System Status
Apple’s iCloud services may be experiencing downtime or maintenance. Therefore, make sure to visit Apple’s System Status page and check for any outages related to Photos or iCloud.
16. Contact Apple Support
If none of these steps work, there may be a deeper issue with your account or device.
- Visit Apple Support or use the Apple Support app to get personalized assistance.
Wrapping up…
There you go! iCloud is usually very reliable when it comes to syncing photos between your iPhone and iPad—but sometimes, things go off track. Whether it’s a setting, a network hiccup, or an outdated system, the steps above cover all major causes behind photo sync issues. Try each method patiently, and you’ll likely have your photos syncing flawlessly in no time.
