iCloud Photo Library automatically uploads the photos and videos you take and stores them in full resolution in iCloud. You can access your photos and videos in iCloud Photo Library from any device where you’re signed in using the same Apple ID.
Use the Photos app on iOS devices and Mac computers to open and edit your photos and videos. Any changes you make are updated on all your devices.
To use iCloud Photo Library, you need iOS 8.1 or later, OS X Yosemite v10.10.3 or later, or iCloud for Windows 5.
Note: If you turn on iCloud Photo Library, you can’t use iTunes to sync photos and videos to iPhone.
Turn on iCloud Photo Library. Go to Settings > iCloud > Photos, or Settings > Photos & Camera.
Optimize your storage or keep all your photos and videos in full-resolution on iPhone. If your iCloud storage plan is over 5 GB, Optimize iPhone Storage is on by default. It manages space on your iPhone by automatically keeping your full-resolution photos and videos in iCloud and lightweight versions on your iPhone, as needed. To keep the full-resolution originals on your iPhone, go to Settings > iCloud > Photos, then tap Download and Keep Originals. Your originals are always stored in iCloud.
Download a full-resolution photo or video. If you’re not storing original versions on iPhone, pinch to zoom in to 100%, or tap Edit.
Note: To upload photos and videos to iCloud Photo Library, iPhone must be connected to Wi-Fi. Using a cellular connection, you can download up to 100 MB at a time.
If your uploaded photos and videos exceed your storage plan, you can upgrade your iCloud storage. Go to Settings > iCloud > Storage > Change Storage Plan to learn about the available options.