iCloud Photos Downloader: Command-line iCloud photo backup
Cross-platform CLI tool for downloading photos and videos from iCloud with incremental sync and Live Photo support.
Learn more about iCloud Photos Downloader
iCloud Photos Downloader is a Python-based command-line utility that interfaces with Apple's iCloud servers to download photo libraries. The tool authenticates with iCloud accounts and retrieves photos through Apple's web API, handling two-factor authentication and session management. It supports multiple synchronization modes, automatic deduplication, metadata preservation, and can process Live Photos as separate image and video files. The application is commonly used for creating local backups of iCloud photo collections, migrating photos to other storage systems, or maintaining synchronized copies across different devices.
Multiple Operation Modes
Offers copy, sync, and move modes for different backup strategies. Sync mode removes local files deleted from iCloud, while move mode downloads photos and removes them from iCloud after a specified retention period.
Incremental Processing
Includes optimization features like --until-found and --recent options for efficient incremental runs. Supports continuous monitoring with configurable intervals to automatically sync new photos as they appear in iCloud.
Format Preservation
Maintains original file formats including Live Photos, RAW images, and RAW+JPEG combinations. Handles EXIF metadata updates and automatic deduplication of files with identical names.
HTTP response capture fix and live photo deduplication improvements
- –Fix: HTTP response content not captured for authentication and non-streaming requests
- –Fix: `--only-print-filenames` downloads live photo video files during deduplication
KeyError fix for photo downloads with adjusted size options
- –Fix: KeyError when downloading photos with --size adjusted --size alternative options
Multiple user configuration support in single command
- –Support multiple user configurations in single command
Top in Developer Tools
Related Repositories
Discover similar tools and frameworks used by developers
JSON Server
Zero-config REST API server from JSON files.
Instaloader
Python CLI for downloading Instagram posts, stories, profiles, and metadata.
scrcpy
Mirrors Android devices over USB/TCP with keyboard and mouse control, no root required.
Floki
Elixir HTML parser with CSS selectors and multiple parser backends.
Chrome DevTools MCP
MCP server that provides AI coding assistants with Chrome DevTools access for browser automation and debugging.
Related Reading
Guides and comparisons from the Greptile content library
Best Code Review Tools in 2026
The best code review tools in 2026, compared on pricing, features, deployment options, and ideal use cases for teams of any size.
Top AI Code Review Tools for Small Dev Teams 2026
Affordable, lightweight AI code review tools that help small teams catch bugs faster. Practical comparisons of accuracy, ease of use, and value for teams without enterprise budgets.
Greptile Ranks #1 on Martian's AI Code Review Benchmark
Greptile ranks #1 on Martian's independent online AI code review benchmark, leading all evaluated tools in F1 score and precision with near-leading recall.
Best CodeRabbit Alternatives for Smarter AI Code Reviews in 2026
7 powerful CodeRabbit alternatives ranked by real dev teams. Feature comparison, pricing analysis, and honest reviews to find your perfect AI code reviewer.