How to Download a Photo on Mac: A Complete Guide
Updated On January 20, 2023 | by Ankit

The Apple ecosystem makes it stand out from competitors. If you own several of their products, they are easy to connect, allowing you to share data across different devices. You can download your iPad photos to your Mac, for example.
However, as a beginner, you might not be aware of this feature. It might lead you to ask: how do you download images on your Mac from other sources?
Our Mac photo download guide can help. Keep reading and learn how to download a photo on Mac from the internet, iCloud, and other devices.
Download a Photo from the Internet
Learning how to download a photo on Mac from the internet is simple. In most cases, you need only right-click on the picture and choose Save Image. After that, you can rename the file and choose a save location.
Drag and Drop
An easier way to download a photo on Mac is to drag and drop it to the desired folder from any source. You can also drop it onto an open app, like Word. The drawback is you cannot rename the file.
Print Screen
You cannot save an image directly from some places on the internet, such as Instagram. However, you can capture your screen with Command + Shift + 3. The screenshot will go to your specified folder.
Use Command + Shift + 4 to capture a specific section of your screen instead. Left-click on your mouse and drag across the area you want to capture.
Mac Photo Download From iCloud
iCloud is a secure place to store your photos, but what if you want to access them offline? You can do it in two ways.
First, go to the iCloud website and sign in with your Apple credentials. Click on Photos, navigate toward the album you want, and select your desired photos for download. To pick everything, press Command + A on your keyboard.
Look for the download button in the top right corner. It is an icon of a cloud with an arrow going downward.
If you select multiple photos, they save as a folder. They automatically go into your Downloads folder.
Downloading a Photo on Mac from an External Device
Connect the device to your Mac with its USB cable. Open the Photos app, look for Devices in the sidebar, and click on your device.
At the top of the screen, select the Import option. Click the dropdown menu to reveal your options. You can save to the following locations:
- Photos library
- Another album
- New album
After setting the destination, choose the photos you want to download. You can select “Import all new photos” or “Import a selection of photos.” For the latter, select the specific files.
Wait for the import to finish before disconnecting the device. You now have access to the photos, which you can sort out and edit as desired.
Learn How to Download a Photo on Mac Now
Learning how to download a photo on Mac from any source becomes more convenient with the tips above. However, be careful of downloads from the internet and other sources. You do not want malware and other unwanted programs to find their way on your Mac.
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