{"id":"icloud.optimize-mac-storage-vs-download-originals-in-photos","url":"/faq/icloud/optimize-mac-storage-vs-download-originals-in-photos","category":{"id":"icloud","title":"iCloud & iCloud Photos"},"subcategory":{"id":"icloud-photos","title":"iCloud Photos and the Photos library"},"question":"Should I choose Optimize Mac Storage or Download Originals in iCloud Photos?","alt_questions":["Download Originals to this Mac vs Optimize","Which iCloud Photos option saves space?","Do I lose quality with Optimize Mac Storage?","Keep full resolution photos on Mac","iCloud Photos settings explained"],"short_answer":"Choose Optimize Mac Storage to save space — originals stay in iCloud and download when needed. Choose Download Originals only if you want every full-resolution file on your Mac, which uses the most space.","answer_markdown":"Choose **Optimize Mac Storage** if space is tight; choose **Download Originals to this Mac** if you want every full-resolution photo and video on the Mac at all times.\n\n- **Optimize Mac Storage** — originals stay in iCloud, your Mac keeps smaller versions, and an original downloads when you open, edit or export it. Nothing is lost; you just need a connection to get originals.\n- **Download Originals** — every original is stored locally. Useful if you edit offline or want a local copy for your own backups, but it uses the most space.\n\nIf you pick Download Originals and space gets tight, consider moving the library to an external drive the way Photos supports. See [moving the Photos library](/faq/icloud/how-do-i-move-my-photos-library-to-an-external-drive).","answer_html":"

Choose Optimize Mac Storage if space is tight; choose Download Originals to this Mac if you want every full-resolution photo and video on the Mac at all times.

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If you pick Download Originals and space gets tight, consider moving the library to an external drive the way Photos supports. See moving the Photos library.

","answer_text":"Choose Optimize Mac Storage if space is tight; choose Download Originals to this Mac if you want every full-resolution photo and video on the Mac at all times.\n\n- Optimize Mac Storage — originals stay in iCloud, your Mac keeps smaller versions, and an original downloads when you open, edit or export it. Nothing is lost; you just need a connection to get originals.\n- Download Originals — every original is stored locally. Useful if you edit offline or want a local copy for your own backups, but it uses the most space.\n\nIf you pick Download Originals and space gets tight, consider moving the library to an external drive the way Photos supports. See moving the Photos library.","tags":["icloud photos","optimize mac storage","photos settings"],"related":[{"id":"icloud.how-do-i-reduce-the-space-icloud-photos-uses-on-my-mac","question":"How do I reduce the space iCloud Photos uses on my Mac?","url":"/faq/icloud/how-do-i-reduce-the-space-icloud-photos-uses-on-my-mac"},{"id":"icloud.how-do-i-move-my-photos-library-to-an-external-drive","question":"How do I move my Photos library to an external drive and keep iCloud Photos working?","url":"/faq/icloud/how-do-i-move-my-photos-library-to-an-external-drive"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"Should I choose Optimize Mac Storage or Download Originals in iCloud Photos? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"Choose Optimize Mac Storage to save space — originals stay in iCloud and download when needed. Choose Download Originals only if you want every full-resolution file on your Mac, which uses the most space.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"iCloud & iCloud Photos","path":"/faq/icloud/"},{"name":"Should I choose Optimize Mac Storage or Download Originals in iCloud Photos?","path":"/faq/icloud/optimize-mac-storage-vs-download-originals-in-photos"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/optimize-mac-storage-vs-download-originals-in-photos","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Should I choose Optimize Mac Storage or Download Originals in iCloud Photos?","alternateName":["Download Originals to this Mac vs Optimize","Which iCloud Photos option saves space?","Do I lose quality with Optimize Mac Storage?","Keep full resolution photos on Mac","iCloud Photos settings explained"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Choose Optimize Mac Storage if space is tight; choose Download Originals to this Mac if you want every full-resolution photo and video on the Mac at all times.\n\n- Optimize Mac Storage — originals stay in iCloud, your Mac keeps smaller versions, and an original downloads when you open, edit or export it. Nothing is lost; you just need a connection to get originals.\n- Download Originals — every original is stored locally. Useful if you edit offline or want a local copy for your own backups, but it uses the most space.\n\nIf you pick Download Originals and space gets tight, consider moving the library to an external drive the way Photos supports. See moving the Photos library.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/optimize-mac-storage-vs-download-originals-in-photos"}}]},"fragment":"
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iCloud & iCloud Photos · iCloud Photos and the Photos library

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Should I choose Optimize Mac Storage or Download Originals in iCloud Photos?

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Short answer: Choose Optimize Mac Storage to save space — originals stay in iCloud and download when needed. Choose Download Originals only if you want every full-resolution file on your Mac, which uses the most space.

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Choose Optimize Mac Storage if space is tight; choose Download Originals to this Mac if you want every full-resolution photo and video on the Mac at all times.

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  • Optimize Mac Storage — originals stay in iCloud, your Mac keeps smaller versions, and an original downloads when you open, edit or export it. Nothing is lost; you just need a connection to get originals.
  • Download Originals — every original is stored locally. Useful if you edit offline or want a local copy for your own backups, but it uses the most space.
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If you pick Download Originals and space gets tight, consider moving the library to an external drive the way Photos supports. See moving the Photos library.

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