# What is iCloud Photos?

## Quick answer

Apple's photo-library synchronization service across devices using an account and the relevant settings.

Updated: 2026-10-31

Canonical: /glossary/icloud-photos

## Limitation

Synchronization is different from a separate archived copy. Changes and hidden status can propagate.

[Source](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102179)

## Related terms

- [Hidden album](/glossary/hidden-album)

- [Recovery](/glossary/recovery)

## Questions

### What does iCloud Photos mean?

Apple's photo-library synchronization service across devices using an account and the relevant settings.

### What limitation matters?

Synchronization is different from a separate archived copy. Changes and hidden status can propagate.

## Explore

- [What is Notification preview?](/glossary/notification-preview)

- [What is Screen Time?](/glossary/screen-time)

- [What is Locked note?](/glossary/locked-note)

- [What is Hidden album?](/glossary/hidden-album)

- [What is App Library?](/glossary/app-library)

- [What is Hidden apps folder?](/glossary/hidden-apps-folder)

- [What is Face ID?](/glossary/face-id)

- [What is Device passcode?](/glossary/device-passcode)

- [What is Authentication?](/glossary/authentication)

- [What is Encryption?](/glossary/encryption)

- [What is End-to-end encryption?](/glossary/end-to-end-encryption)

- [What is Sharing link?](/glossary/sharing-link)

- [What is Recovery?](/glossary/recovery)

- [What is Photo metadata?](/glossary/photo-metadata)

## Private photo and document storage

For photos and documents you choose to store separately, explore [VaultForYou](https://www.vaultforyou.app/).