You can import specific albums from Apple Photos, or transfer your entire library from iCloud, to Google Photos. Important: The transfer doesn’t remove your photos and videos from iCloud. After the transfer, new photos and videos stored in your Apple Photos library won’t sync to Google Photos automatically. If you delete imported or transferred
photos from Google Photos, they might also be deleted from your Apple Photos library. Make sure your photos are eligible for a library transfer To transfer your iCloud library to Google Photos, the content must be stored in iCloud Photos. These content types don’t transfer from iCloud to Google Photos:Before you start
Make sure your albums are eligible for an album import
To import albums from Apple Photos to Google Photos, your albums must be stored in Apple Photos.
What you need for a library transfer
Before you request a transfer from iCloud Photos to Google Photos, check the following:
- Your Apple ID uses two-factor authentication.
- You have a Google Account to use Google Photos.
- Your Google Account has enough storage available to finish the transfer.
- Apple shows the required storage that you need when the transfer process begins.
- To check how much space you currently have in your Google Account, go to your Drive storage.
- If you don’t have enough space for the transfer, learn how to buy more storage.
Import an album
Important:
- When you import an album to Google Photos, the album is backed up and counts toward your storage quota. Learn how your Google storage works.
- Learn more about album imports and tips for successful imports.
- On your iPhone or iPad, open Google Photos
.
- At the top right, tap your profile icon Google Photos settings.
- Tap Apple Photos
Import albums.
- Select the albums that you want to import.
- At the top right, tap Import.
Tip: If you add photos to your Apple Photos album after you import, they won’t appear in the Google Photos copy of the album. If you want them to appear in the Google Photos album, add them manually or import the album again.
Request a photo transfer from Apple
Important: Some data and formats available in iCloud Photos may not work when you transfer your content to Google Photos. Check what transfers from iCloud to Google Photos.
To request your transfer from iCloud to Google Photos:
- Sign in with your Apple ID at privacy.apple.com.
- Select Transfer a copy of your data.
- To start the transfer, sign in with your Google Account.
- To finish your request, follow the on-screen instructions.
Tip: The transfer process takes 3–7 days. If you cancel your transfer request before it’s complete, items that are already copied over stay in Google Photos.
Learn about photo & video transfers
Album imports
- If there are albums of the same name in your Apple Photos and Google Photos accounts, the albums won't be merged.
- You can re-import albums repeatedly from Apple Photos to Google Photos.
- When you re-import albums repeatedly, it may create multiple copies of the same album.
- Imports won't display Apple "favorites" or "hidden" albums. Learn how to sync your favorites.
Tip: To make sure that large albums are imported successfully in Apple Photos:
- Connect your device to the internet.
- Charge your device.
- Open Apple Photos in the foreground.
Library transfers
- Only the most recently edited versions of photos and videos are transferred.
- To save space, if a photo or video exists in Google Photos, only one copy of the photo or video is kept.
- When possible, photos are transferred within their albums. Videos are transferred separately and aren’t in albums.
Tip: The filenames of albums and videos transferred to Google Photos start with "Copy of.”
Related resources
- Buy more Google storage
- Free up space on your device
- Sync your favorite photos with Apple Photos
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