Apple has quietly released a tool that allows you to copy the photos you’ve stored in Apple Photos to Google Photos.
You may find it useful for a reason or two. It’s an easy way to transfer everything if you’re switching to an Android phone, as you can’t upload Apple Photos from an Android phone. Like Apple Photos, Google Photos automatically creates video clips set to music, but it also creates collage, animations, filters (which often look great) and more. Both services have their strengths, and I use both as a way to create a backup of the other.
It is also useful if you want to switch from iCloud Storage to Google One storage. Apple charges $ 0.99 / month for 50GB, $ 2.99 / month for 200GB or $ 9.99 / month for 2TB of storage. Google plans are the same price, but lets you share 100GB with your family for $ 1.99 per month while Apple only offers family sharing on its 200GB and 2TB plans. Also, Google has a $ 49.99 / month 10TB plan in case a lot of data and just to keep it all there.
A word of warning: The move is not immediate. He said my 117GB library of over 20,000 photos and over 800 videos will take between three and seven days to transfer.
I’ll show you how to copy them now.
How to Copy Your Photos from Apple Photos to Google Photos
Transfer from Apple Photos to Google Photos
- First head to Apple’s privacy website (privacy.apple.com/account) on your computer.
- Sign in with your Apple account.
- Select “Request to transfer a copy of your data.”
- You can see a summary of the number of photos and videos stored in iCloud Photos and the amount of storage they are currently using.
- Under “Choose where you want to move your photos” select “Google Photos.” It is the only option right now.
- Check the boxes to move videos and photos.
- Tap Continue.
- Make sure that your photos and videos do not move completely if your Google One driver runs out of space by tapping “Continue” again.
- Log in with your Google account and give Apple access to your Google Photos library.
- Select “Confirm Motions.”
That’s all. You should see the pictures appear in your Google account when the transfer is complete, after which you will receive an email confirmation as well. Just be patient: It may take several days depending on the size of your library.