How to Back Up Selected iPhone Photos to OneDrive
Question details
The user wants to back up only specific photos from their iPhone to OneDrive, but the app demands access to the full library. They also need a way to stop downloaded photos from remaining in the HEIC format.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- iOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to selectively upload a subset of iPhone photos to OneDrive and downloading them on other devices without dealing with HEIC format compatibility issues.
- Observed behavior
- When iOS photo permissions are set to 'Selected Photos', OneDrive pauses the Camera Upload feature because it requires access to the entire photo library. Additionally, photos are stored and downloaded in HEIC format instead of standard JPG.
Ensure you have the latest version of the OneDrive app installed on your iPhone and check your available Microsoft storage space to confirm you have enough room for the photos.
Manually Upload Selected Photos to a OneDrive Folder
Since the automatic Camera Upload feature requires access to your entire photo library, the best workaround is to manually upload only the specific photos you want to save.
OneDrive's Camera Upload is designed as a complete backup solution rather than a selective sync tool. If you restrict its iOS permissions to 'Selected Photos', the automatic backup will pause. Manual uploading allows you to maintain full control over what gets saved to the cloud.
Launch the OneDrive application on your iPhone and navigate to the folder where you want to store your photos.
Tap the '+' (plus) icon located at the top right or bottom of the screen, then select 'Upload'.
Choose 'Photos and Videos' from the menu, grant access if prompted, and tap to select the individual photos you wish to back up. Tap 'Done' to begin the upload.
Change iPhone Camera Settings from HEIC to JPG
To prevent future photos from being saved and downloaded in the HEIC format, adjust your iOS camera settings to use the universally compatible JPEG format.
Seamlessly Manage Cloud Documents with WPS Office
While OneDrive is great for backing up iPhone photos, you might also need a robust tool for your files. WPS Office is a free, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office that easily connects to your cloud drives, allowing you to edit documents on the go.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office app from the App Store or official website.
- 2. Connect Your Cloud: Open WPS Office, go to the 'Open' tab, and add your preferred cloud storage service to access your files.
- 3. Edit and Save: Open any DOCX, XLSX, or PPTX file, make your edits directly on your device, and save it seamlessly back to the cloud.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneDrive pause Camera Upload when I choose 'Selected Photos'?
OneDrive's Camera Upload feature is built to serve as an all-inclusive backup for your camera roll. When you restrict iOS permissions to 'Selected Photos', OneDrive detects that it cannot access the entire library, prompting it to pause the upload process entirely.
Can I convert existing HEIC photos in OneDrive to JPG?
OneDrive stores and downloads photos in the exact format they were uploaded. To convert existing HEIC photos to JPG, you will need to download them and use a third-party image converter, or use the built-in export features on a Mac or Windows PC.
Does OneDrive offer unlimited photo storage for my iPhone backups?
No, OneDrive provides 5 GB of free storage by default. If your selected photos exceed this limit, you will need to manually delete older files to free up space or upgrade your storage capacity through a Microsoft 365 subscription.
