- Microsoftâs Photos app for Windows 11 will include iCloud integration.
- The iCloud integration is already available for testing in the Dev Channel.Â
- Youâll need to install the iCloud client before you can use the service with Photos.
Microsoft plans to bring iCloud Photos integration to the new Photos app for Windows 11 to allow iPhone and iPad users to manage all of their photos from a single experience.
As part of the October feature update, the company is preparing an update to refresh the look of the Photos app with an entirely new interface that further matches the design language of Windows 11. For instance, this update brings mica material, rounded corners, and changes to simplify browsing, finding, managing, and consuming the photos you have in your collection. In addition, the app will offer the ability for Apple users to connect and access their pictures and videos from the iCloud service.
However, the integration isnât as seamless as Microsoft makes it seem because you will first have to install and set up the (300MB download) iCloud client app on Windows 11 before your media gallery becomes available through the Photos app.
Once you connect the Photos app to the iCloud service, you will be able to access your media from the dedicated âiCloud Photosâ tab available from the left navigation pane. If you click the âAll Photosâ tab, your iCloud media will appear alongside your local and OneDrive media.
The integration is already available for preview with the Photos app version 2022.31100.9001.0 for devices enrolled in the Dev Channel. The company is expected to roll out the new version of the app with the first feature drop for Windows 11 22H2 in October or sometime in November.
The partnership of Microsoft with Apple also goes a little further since the company said that the Apple Music and Apple TV apps will come to Windows 11 sometime in 2023, and previews of the apps will be available before the end of 2022.