iPhone XS stuck on 'Optimizing library 0%' when transferring photos from Android

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iPhone XS stuck on 'Optimizing library 0%' when transferring photos from Android

I Purchased an iPhone XS a few days ago (unused, so it has 100% battery health), and i transferred my photos from my android to my windows PC, then used iCloud that i downloaded (using the same account). transferred the photos to the cloud. However, now. The 'photos' app is stuck on 'Optimizing library 0%' and hasn't budged for hours.

I am only transferring about 900 photos that are roughly 6GB total.

I am on a 6G network connection with full bars, I have the latest IOS 18.5, and have tried everything.

Syncing iCloud, restarting phone, even tried by factory resetting the phone. But still nothing.

Is this simply because its an old phone, or is it something on Apple's side?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: I have started using the iPhone XS as my main driver after decades of being an android user. However, i am struggling with the photos app.

iPhone XS

Posted on Jun 7, 2025 12:12 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 8, 2025 6:39 AM in response to LukeT93

iCloud is iCloud.com, though some people mean something else. What do you mean by "iCloud (PC software, not iCloud.com)?"

What you are describing would happen if your phone were not connected to the same Apple Account as the PC. I would double check.

"Have you tried transferring them directly from the PC to the iPhone?" Using a USB cable.

Sync photos in iTunes on PC with devices - Apple Support

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Answer 2

LukeT93 Author

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Jun 9, 2025 3:32 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

Yeh, basically iCloud is on the Microsoft Store. So its software, as in like discord or adobe software (I suppose i should say app, not software.) I eventually figured out the issue though. But this is how i did the transfer before.

I copied the pics from my Samsung to my PC, then i uploaded the pics to the iCloud app on the PC, it showed up in the iCloud, but not in the 'Photos' app.

But then i figured the issues (Not just the whole 'Optimizing library' issue)

Turns out iCloud doesn't allow PNG... or maybe PNG uploaded from PC.
I retried what i did before (What you also suggested. Uploading the pics to iCloud.com specifically, rather that the app). First i used some software to convert my PNG images to JPEG, then i deleted all the images i managed to upload to iCloud before so i had a clean slate, then lastly i re-uploaded the images, which FINALLY allowed me to see the photos on the 'Photos' app.

I appreciate all the help you have given me, you have been amazing. :)

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Answer 3

Jun 7, 2025 12:35 PM in response to LukeT93

LukeT93 wrote: I am on a 6G network connection with full bars,

Hmm. 6G is supposed to be ready in late 2030, so maybe you just need to wait 5 years, and it will start working…

The iPhone XS was discontinued in 2019, so you have to wonder if there might be something askew with it. What iOS is the phone running?

If you reset and turn off iCloud, can you take pictures with the phone's camera? Do those work OK with the Photos app?

How did you transfer the photos to iCloud? Did you upload them to iCloud.com with a browser? Have you tried transferring them directly from the PC to the iPhone?

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Answer 4

LukeT93 Author

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Jun 7, 2025 12:44 PM in response to Richard.Taylor

Thanks for the reply, nah believe it or not, you can get 6G wireless, it is available on android, i don't know if its on the latest iPhone.

IOS 18.5, i have basically tried everything, including what you suggested.

Yeh, taking photos does show up on the app, but the photos that the app is refusing to load up are important.

As for how i transferred the photos, it went like this Android>PC>iCloud (PC software, not iCloud.com)>iPhone.

The photos show up in iCloud, but they specifically don't show up in the 'Photos' app. The app just stays on 'Optimizing library 0%' and has not changed since.

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Answer 5

Jun 9, 2025 8:38 AM in response to LukeT93

LukeT93 wrote: … Turns out iCloud doesn't allow PNG... or maybe PNG uploaded from PC

Interesting-- iCloud Photos certainly allows png files-- I have a number of them. But you are exposing my Windows ignorance with this iCloud app. I see there is an app "iCloud for Windows" made by Apple for PCs. Hmm.

Glad you found a way to make it work!

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Answer 6

LukeT93 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 9, 2025 11:06 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

Thank you.

I would not say ignorance per se, it's just something that is not spoken about in the Apple community.

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