How to Fix Issues with Saving Photos from iPhone Shared Albums Stuck on "Preparing..."

Are you having trouble saving photos from your iPhone Shared Albums, where the process gets stuck on the “Preparing…” message? You’re not alone! This issue can be frustrating when you’re trying to save photos from friends to your device. In this blog post, we’ll explore the possible causes of this problem and offer step-by-step solutions, including how to use the Photos app on a Mac to resolve the issue. As an added bonus, we’ll also show you an alternative method to share your photos effortlessly using Cozy.

Common Reasons Why Photos Get Stuck on “Preparing…”

There are several potential reasons why your iCloud photos are stuck on “Preparing…“:

Weak Internet Connection: A slow or unstable connection can prevent the photos from downloading.
iCloud Syncing Issues: Sometimes, iCloud services may have syncing problems that delay downloads.
Outdated iOS or macOS: Running outdated software may cause compatibility problems with iCloud.
Low Device Storage: If your device is running low on storage, saving photos from iCloud may fail.
Large Album Size: If the shared album contains many high-resolution photos or videos, it may take a long time to process.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Before diving into more in-depth solutions, try these quick fixes:

Check Your Internet Connection: Ensure that you’re connected to a strong Wi-Fi network. If your connection is unstable, try switching to a different network.
Restart Your Device: A simple restart can often resolve software-related issues.
Free Up Storage: Check your device’s storage and free up some space if needed.
Update Your Device: Make sure your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is running the latest version of iOS or macOS.

How to Fix the Issue on an iPhone or iPad

Step 1: Turn Off and On iCloud Photos

Sometimes, refreshing the iCloud connection can help resolve syncing issues.

Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos.
Toggle iCloud Photos off.
Wait for a few seconds and then toggle it back on.
Re-open the Photos app and check if the issue is resolved.

Step 2: Manually Download the Shared Album

If the photos are still stuck, try downloading the shared album manually:

Open the Photos app.
Go to the Shared Albums tab.
Tap on the album with the issue.
Select the photos you want to save.
Tap the Share icon and then tap Save Image.

How to Fix the Issue Using the Photos App on a Mac

If you’re using a Mac, you can try using the Photos app to resolve the issue. The Photos app can sometimes offer more control over shared albums and iCloud syncing.

Step 1: Open the Photos App

Open the Photos app on your Mac.
Navigate to the Shared Albums section in the sidebar.
Select the album that contains the photos stuck on “Preparing…“.

Step 2: Download the Photos

Once inside the shared album, select the photos you want to download.
Right-click and choose Import to bring the photos into your library.
Check your Photos Library to see if the photos are saved correctly.

Step 3: Turn iCloud Photos Off and On (Mac)

You can also try turning iCloud Photos off and on through your Mac:

Go to System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Photos.
Toggle iCloud Photos off and wait for a few moments.
Toggle it back on to re-enable syncing.
Reopen the Photos app and see if the issue persists.

Use Cozy to Easily Share Your Photos

If you continue to experience issues with iCloud Shared Albums or you’re looking for a simpler way to share photos, consider using Cozy. Cozy is a free website and app that allows you to generate a shareable link for your photos, which you can send to friends via text or other messaging platforms.

How to Use Cozy

Go to https://cozy.photos on your web browser or download the app on your phone.
Enter your phone number to get started.
Upload the photos you want to share.
Cozy will generate a unique link that you can send to your friends or family via text message.
They can click the link to view or download the photos without needing an iCloud account!

Cozy offers an easy and reliable way to share your favorite memories without running into issues like the “Preparing…” problem.

Conclusion

Dealing with the “Preparing…” issue when saving photos from iCloud Shared Albums can be frustrating, but with the steps outlined above, you can hopefully resolve the problem. Whether it’s turning iCloud Photos off and on, manually downloading photos, or using the Photos app on a Mac, there are multiple ways to fix the issue. If you’re tired of dealing with iCloud Shared Albums, give Cozy a try and make sharing photos with friends and family a breeze!