iCloud & iCloud Photos · iCloud Drive basics

What's the difference between iCloud Drive and iCloud Photos?

Short answer: iCloud Drive syncs files and folders you see in Finder; iCloud Photos syncs the library you manage in the Photos app. Each has its own Optimize Mac Storage setting, and both count against the same iCloud plan.

They're two different iCloud features. iCloud Drive syncs files and folders you can see in Finder. iCloud Photos syncs your Photos library — photos and videos you manage in the Photos app, not as separate files in Finder.

Each has its own space-saving setting:

  • iCloud Drive: Optimize Mac Storage in iCloud Drive's settings, or online-only files.
  • iCloud Photos: Optimize Mac Storage in Photos → Settings → iCloud.

Both count against the same iCloud plan. Storage Studio frees iCloud Drive files on your Mac but leaves the Photos library to Photos. See reducing the space iCloud Photos uses.

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