Your new iPhone 16 can sync images with the Microsoft Photos app on Windows 10, not just Windows 11

Your new iPhone 16 can sync images with the Microsoft Photos app on Windows 10, not just Windows 11

What you need to know

  • Microsoft will bring the ability to sync iCloud photos to the Photos app on Windows 10.
  • The Photos app gained an integration with iCloud back in 2022, but that functionality was limited to the app on Windows 11.
  • The update is available for Windows 10 PCs enrolled in the Beta and Release Preview Channels.
  • Microsoft also announced an update to the Photos app that will improve the experience on both Windows 11 and Windows 10.

As a seasoned analyst with over two decades of experience in the tech industry, I have witnessed the rise and fall of many operating systems. I must admit, it was not too long ago that I found myself among the legion of Windows 10 loyalists, clinging to the familiar interface like a security blanket on a cold winter’s night.


On your freshly acquired iPhone 16, you’ll have the ability to automatically transfer images via iCloud to the Windows 10 Photos application. Previously, this integration was primarily available for Windows 11 systems, but with the new iPhone release, more devices compatible with iCloud will gain this extended feature. This upgrade simplifies keeping your photos and other iCloud data consistent on a PC, regardless of whether it’s running an older operating system.

Approximately two years ago, Microsoft integrated its Photos app with Apple’s iCloud service. This feature was initially only available on Windows 11. However, Microsoft has announced that an update to the Photos app on Windows 10 will enable integration with iCloud as well. The new integration is currently being tested among Windows Insiders in the Beta and Release Preview Channels for PCs running Windows 10. Microsoft provided more details about this update in a recent blog post.

The new update will be released first to our Insider group, but it might not immediately show up on all devices, even those using builds from our Beta and Release Preview channels. This approach is typical of how we test apps at Microsoft.

Microsoft announced that they are enabling users on Windows 10 to synchronize and browse their iCloud photos. To access your iCloud photos, navigate to the “iCloud Photos” section within the Photos application. Make sure you have the most recent version of the iCloud for Windows app from the Microsoft Store installed, then sign in using your Apple ID. Once signed in, opt to sync your iCloud photos. In just a few minutes, your iCloud photo collection will begin automatically appearing within the Photos app.

I’ve noticed that, much like me updating my own software, Microsoft is upgrading their Photos app for Windows 10 using the latest Windows App SDK platform. Interestingly, they already implemented this update for the Photos app on Windows 11 earlier this year.

In the revamped design of the Photos application, you can effortlessly locate content whether it’s saved locally, on OneDrive, or in iCloud. Furthermore, when you open any picture, you’ll have the ability to conduct a web search using a fresh Visual Search with Bing function.

Death of Windows 10

Your new iPhone 16 can sync images with the Microsoft Photos app on Windows 10, not just Windows 11

By October 2025, Windows 10 will no longer receive official support, yet a significant number of users continue to rely on this operating system. Some individuals are unable to upgrade their computers to Windows 11 due to the stringent hardware requirements of the latest OS. Others have chosen to stick with Windows 10 and aim to use it for as long as they can.

As a tech enthusiast, I’ve been hearing voices urging Microsoft to rethink its decision to discontinue support for Windows 10. The main reasons are environmental and economical – the mass discarding of functional computers that will no longer receive updates could lead to an unprecedented increase in electronic waste.

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2024-09-10 17:10