Effortlessly Transfer Google Photos to iCloud [Easy Migration]

Sophie Green
2023-09-25
Home > Resources > Phone Transfer > Effortlessly Transfer Google Photos to iCloud [Easy Migration]

Summary

Looking to transfer Google Photos to iCloud? We know Google Photos is an outstanding cloud storage service not only for its simplicity but also for security. With Google Photos, you can keep your precious photos online. However, if you are an iOS user, you can use iCloud directly on your iPhone/iPad or other Apple devices.

Maybe iCloud is good enough for you so that you want to transfer your photos from Google Photos to iCloud; or Google has started limiting previously unlimited storage, so you may consider migrating your pictures from Google Photos to iCloud. Anyway, you can move Google Photos to iCloud with easy clicks. Read on to learn about effective solutions.

transer google photos to icloud

Part 1: Can I Move Google Photos to iCloud?

Evidently, iCloud is a friendly service to Apple users. In that essence, users will want to use iCloud instead of Google Photos when they switch from an Android to an iPhone.

Google Photos has been one of the most preferred storage for both Android and iOS users to keep videos and photos since 2015. It was offering a free unlimited storage space for your high-quality files. But not anymore, as Google is ending its unlimited storage. It has, therefore, lost its appeal to Apple users. They would prefer using iCloud storage.

So, you may be wondering if it is possible to move photos from Google Photos to iCloud. Yes, it is. You can download the photos to your iPhone and then upload the files to iCloud. Also, you can download the files in ZIP format, unzip them, and upload them to your iCloud. Ultimately, there is a way to make the process achievable.

Keep scrolling to learn how to transfer Google Photos to iCloud conveniently.

See more: In case your iPhone fails to send pictures to an Android phone, follow this guide to figure it out.

Part 2: How to Move Google Photos to iCloud?

Transferring pictures from Google Photos to iCloud is easy. You only need to follow the right steps. Below are different ways to make the transfer a success:

Method 1. How to Transfer Google Photos to iCloud on PC by Downloading and Reuploading?

One simplest way to transfer photos from Google Photos to iCloud is by downloading the pictures on the computer first and then uploading them to iCloud manually. However, this option will only be effective if you have only a few images you want to move.

Below are steps to use when moving Google Photos to iCloud:

Step 1: Open Google Photos on your PC's browser and log into your Google account.

Step 2: Find the images you wish to copy from Google Photos to iCloud. Choose them and tap on three vertical dots at the top right corner. Click on the "Download" button or press the download shortcut keys [Shift + D] on your PC.

download google photos

Step 3: Next, go to iCloud on the web and choose the "Photos" icon. Tap on the "Upload" button at the top, then upload what you have downloaded from your Google Photos.

upload google photos to icloud

Method 2. How Do I Move My Photos to iCloud via Google Takeout?

Downloading your photos one by one is tedious, and it's not an efficient go-to option if you have many photos to be transferred. Why not use Google Takeout to transfer those image files quickly? Google Takeout is Google's tool that enables you to download and export various files, including images stored on your Google Drive or Mail. This tool allows storing data locally on a PC or uploading the files to another 3rd party cloud storage. So, if you have many photos to transfer from Google Photos to iCloud, you can use Google Takeout.

Export Google Photos to iCloud via Google Takeout:

Step 1: Go to Google Takeout on your computer's browser. Log into your Google account with the correct credentials. Locate Google Photos, then tick in the box.

Step 2: Locate the "Next step" button at the bottom right of the screen and click it. From the popup window, select "Export once" and set "File type & size" to what you want. Once done, hit on the "Create export" button.

Step 3: Google Takeout toll will start copying your pictures to your computer's local Drive. You will be notified of this through an email.

Step 4: Finally, head to iCloud on your computer, then log into your iCloud account. Now sync the photos to the iCloud.

use google takeout to transfer google photos to icloud

Method 3. How to Import Google Photos to iCloud by Download and Synchronization

Are you an iPhone user? You can also move your pictures from Google Photos to iCloud on your iPhone. Besides, please connect your mobile phone to a stable network.

It is very easy with these steps:

Step 1: Launch the Google Photos application on your iPhone. Head to "Albums" in the Google Photos app to check your images.

Step 2: Hold on to a single image to choose it. To choose many photos/videos, hold and drag the images or use a circle button to choose the content with a date range.

Step 3: Click on the "Share" button at the upper part of the screen. Select "Save Images" in the lower section. All images you selected will download to "Camera Roll".

Step 4: Now open your "Photos" application on your iPhone to find the photos you downloaded from Google Photos. Next, open the Settings application on your iPhone and head to the "iCloud" feature. Now toggle on "Sync this iPhone". Leave it if it's already on.

Step 5: You'll find the "Optimize iPhone Storage" & "Download and Keep Originals" options. Choose the first one to retain low-resolution photos on your iPhone while keeping the originals in iCloud. The second option can only be used if there is enough space on the iPhone.

upload google photos to icloud by synchronization on iphone

See more: What to Do When You Get a New iPhone: 8 Important Steps for Your Phone

Method 4. How to Copy Google Photos to iCloud Using PhotoSync

Want an easier way to transfer Google Photos to iCloud? The PhotoSync app is here for you. This is a dedicated application that can make the transfer process achievable. It works on both iOS and Android and provides a seamless way to move your photos between different platforms. Here are steps:

Step 1: Install the PhotoSync application from the App Store. Launch it and grant permission to access photos and other files.

Step 2: Click on the "Add a Target Service" option, then select "iCloud" as the destination.

Step 3: Log in to your account on the app. After logging in, choose a Google Photots album/individual pictures to transfer to iCloud.

Step 4: Hit the "Sync" button to start the transfer of chosen pictures to iCloud.

sync google photos to icloud via phonesync

Part 3: FAQs on Google Photos and iCloud

1. What's the difference between Google Photos and iCloud photo library?

  • Google Photos is available on Android and iOS devices, but iCloud is designed for Apple devices only.
  • Google Photos will sync your uploaded photos with high quality. iCloud will sync your files with original quality. Anyway, you can change the backup quality in the app's settings.
  • Google Photos supports photos and videos only, but iCloud can back up and sync multiple file types.
  • Google Photos provides 15GB of free storage space, and iCloud offers 5GB of free cloud storage.

2. Can I access Google Photos on my Apple devices?

Of course, you can access Google Photos on any smartphone and computer, since it is cross-platform.

3. What happens to my Google Photos when I switch to iCloud?

The photos that you uploaded to Google Photos remain intact. They will not be deleted or changed when you switch to iCloud. But if you want to move the photos to iCloud, you need to download them from Google Photos first.

Further reading: Easily Copy SIM Card Data to Computer without Data Loss

Extra Tips: How to Transfer Photos from Android to iOS Directly

The above ways will surely help you move your precious photos from Google Photos to iCloud. So, if you are switching from Android to iOS, you will find all your photos in iCloud. But if you want a direct way to move your photos from Android to iOS, you can use this Mobile Data Sync software. With it, you can preview and select your images before transferring, and it will not lower the file quality. Plus, if you want to move your videos, music, messages, and more between two phones or tablets, it can help as well.

Main features of this photo transfer tool:

- Directly copy photos from an Android phone or tablet to an iPhone/iPad without a cloud server.

- Support transferring contacts, messages, videos, songs, etc., from Android to iOS and vice versa.

- Back up phone data to a computer with ease.

- Compatible with the latest iOS 17 and Android 14.

Download the transfer software.

download win version of photo transferdownload mac version of photo transfer

Steps to use this program to transfer photos from Android to iOS:

Step 1: Download this software and install it on a computer. Launch it and connect your Android and iOS devices using USB cables.

Step 2: The program will detect your devices automatically and show its information on the primary interface.

Step 3: Select your source Android device from "Device List" at the top by tapping on the dropdown menu.

select your device to transfer photos

Step 4: From the files listed on the left panel, click "Photos" and preview the detailed info of every file on the right window. Choose all pictures you want to copy to your iOS device and hit the "Export to Device" icon.

directly copy pictures from android to ios without google photos or icloud

Conclusion

How do I move my photos to iCloud? There you have your answers. So, if you are planning to switch from Android to iOS and are wondering how to get your photos, these useful methods will help. You don't have to start from scratch; easily get your pictures from your old device and keep them on the new device.

The direct way to transfer photos between Android and iOS is through Mobile Data Sync. Install and try it, and you will find it easy and efficient to transfer your data without limitations.

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Sophie Green Chief Editor

Sophie Green, Chief Editor of Samsung-messages-backup website, has been focusing on the realm of Android Recovery, Android Transfer (Backup), Android Device Tips, Phone Clean, and Phone Transfer technologies. Recognized contributions on leading platforms attest to her esteemed expertise and reliability.