My iPhone Says “Cannot Download Photo!” Here’s The Real Fix.

You’re trying to download a photo from your iCloud Photo Library, but an error occurred. A pop-up saying “Cannot Download Photo” appeared on the screen! In this article, I’ll explain how to fix the problem when your iPhone can’t download pictures and videos from your iCloud Photo Library.

Turn On iCloud Photos

iCloud Photos needs to be turned on in order for you to download full-resolution versions of your photos and videos from iCloud. Open Settings and tap Photos. Make sure the switch next to iCloud Photos is on!

turn on icloud photos

Check Your iCloud Storage Space

Your iPhone won’t be able to download the photo if you’re out of iCloud storage space. Open Settings and tap on your name at the top of the screen. Then, tap iCloud. Your iPhone’s iCloud storage capacity will be displayed at the top of the screen.

view icloud storage space

If your iCloud storage is full or nearly full, try deleting some files. Tap Manage Account Storage, then tap on the files you’d like to remove from iCloud. Finally, tap Delete Data or Delete Documents & Data.

delete documents and data from icloud storage

Check Your Internet Connection

Your iPhone needs an internet connection in order to download photos from iCloud. First, open Settings and tap Wi-Fi. Make sure the switch next to Wi-Fi is on and a checkmark appears next to the name of your Wi-Fi network.

make sure wifi is on

If Wi-Fi is already on, try turning it off and back on again. This can sometimes fix minor connectivity issues. Check out our other article if your iPhone won’t connect to Wi-Fi!

If you’d rather use Cellular Data, open Settings and tap Cellular. Make sure the switch next to Cellular Data is on.

turn on iphone cellular data

If Cellular Data is already on, try turning it off and back on again. This allows your iPhone to get a fresh connection to your wireless carrier’s network, which can sometimes fix minor connectivity problems. Check out our other article if your Cellular Data isn’t working on your iPhone.

Turn Off Airplane Mode

Airplane Mode is a feature that disconnects your iPhone from cellular networks. Even when you’re not flying, Airplane Mode can sometimes get turned on accidentally. If Airplane Mode is already off, toggling it on and off again can sometimes reset your iPhone’s connection to your carrier’s wireless network.

Open Settings and look at the switch next to Airplane Mode. If Airplane Mode is on, tap the switch to turn it off.

If Airplane Mode is off, tap the switch to turn it on. Wait a few seconds, then tap the switch again to turn Airplane Mode off. It may take your iPhone a minute to reconnect to your carrier’s cellular network.

make sure airplane mode is off

Toggle Airplane Mode In The Control Center

You can also toggle Airplane Mode on and off in Control Center. If you have an iPhone with a Home button, swipe up from below the bottom of the screen. On an iPhone with Face ID, swipe down from the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

Tap the Airplane icon to turn Airplane Mode on. You’ll know Airplane mode is on when the icon is illuminated. Quickly tap the icon again to turn off Airplane Mode.

Airplane Mode in control center

Turn Off Low Power Mode

It’s possible you received the “Cannot Download Photo” error because Low Power Mode is on. Low Power Mode helps extend your iPhone’s battery life by disabling or “temporarily pausing” some of its features, including iCloud Photos.

Open Settings and tap Battery. Make sure the switch next to Low Power Mode is off. You’ll know Low Power Mode is off when the switch is gray and positioned to the left.

turn off low power mode

Does Low Power Mode really work? Check out our video where we break it down so you can see for yourself!

Restart Your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone can fix a variety of minor software issues. All the apps and programs running on your iPhone get a fresh start when it turns on again.

If you have an iPhone with a Home button, press and hold the power button until slide to power off appears on the screen. If your iPhone doesn’t have a Home button, simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button. Release both buttons when slide to power off appears on the screen.

Regardless of which iPhone you have, slide the red and white power icon from left to right to shut down your iPhone. Wait about a minute to let your iPhone completely shut down.

restart your iphone

To turn your iPhone on again, press and hold the power button (iPhones with a Home button) or side button (iPhones without a Home button) until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

Sign Out Of And Back Into iCloud

If you’re still seeing the “Cannot Download Photo” message on your iPhone, try signing out of and back into iCloud. This could resolve a minor iCloud glitch preventing your iPhone from downloading photos.

Open Settings and tap on your name at the top of the screen. Scroll all the way down and tap Sign Out. After signing out, log back in and see if the problem has resolved.

sign out of apple id on iphone

Turn On Cellular Data For Photos

Next, make sure Cellular Data is enabled for Photos. It’s possible you’re seeing the “Cannot Download Photo” error because this setting has been turned off, as your Photos could be prevented from syncing.

Open Settings and tap Cellular. Scroll down to the Cellular Data heading. Look for Photos in the list of apps and make sure the switch next to it is on.

make sure cellular is on for photos

Turn On Cellular Data For iCloud Drive

After turning on Cellular Data for Photos, make sure it’s also on for iCloud Drive. Look for the iCloud Drive option below your list of apps in Settings -> Cellular Data. Turn on the switch next to iCloud Drive.

Note: If this doesn’t fix the problem with your iPhone, we recommend turning this switch off again. You could burn through your monthly data plan very quickly if it’s left on!

turn on cellular for icloud drive

Update Your iPhone

Keeping your iPhone up to date can help prevent a variety of software problems. It’s a good idea to always download and install the latest version of iOS when an update becomes available.

Open Settings and tap General -> Software Update. Tap Download and Install or Install Now if an iOS update is available.

Software Update in Settings

iPhone Cannot Download Photo: Fixed!

You’ve fixed the problem and your iPhone is downloading photos again! Next time your iPhone says Cannot Download Photo, you’ll know exactly what to do. Leave a comment below if you have any other questions about your iPhone.

About Author

David Lynch is an expert on cell phones, cell phone plans, and other tech. After using a flip phone into his early 20s, he learned the ropes about iPhones and Androids from a former Apple employee. Today, his articles and videos are read and viewed by millions, and he has been cited by major publications including Reader's Digest, Wired, CMSWire, Consumers Advocate, and more.

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Here to Help
1 year ago

Generic and pointless steps. Even a novice would of tried these steps. No thought to find out the solution. Please ignore. Do not waste your time.

Lee Owen
1 year ago

Dave, Good article except…. I do NOT use iCloud. so how can I now get past this error message?
Thanks!

David Ben
1 year ago
Reply to  Lee Owen

Hello Lee Owen, thank you for purring at once, its a all things payette.

Here to Help
1 year ago
Reply to  David Ben

I’m not sure, if this isn’t a fake comment as the person doesn’t even use iCloud. However what you have published is no more than generic and pointless steps. Even a novice would of tried these steps. No thought to find out the solution. Please ignore. Do not waste your time.