Apple has quietly rolled out a tool that allows you to copy any images you have stored in Apple Photos to Google Photos.
You may find it useful for a number of reasons. It’s an easy way to move everything when switching to an Android phone, as you cannot upload to Apple Photos from an Android phone. Like Apple Photos, Google Photos automatically creates video clips with highlights set to music, but it also automatically creates collages, animations, adds filters (which often look really good), and more. Both services have their strengths, and I use both as a way to back up the other.
It’s also useful if you want to switch from iCloud storage to Google One storage. Apple charges $ 0.99 / month for 50 GB, $ 2.99 / month for 200 GB, or $ 9.99 / month for 2 TB storage. Google’s plans are priced similarly, but you can share 100 GB with your family for $ 1.99 per month, while Apple only offers family sharing on the 200 GB and 2 TB plans. Google also has a $ 49.99 / month plan of 10 TB in case you buy one a lot of of data and just want to keep everything there.
A word of caution: the transfer is not instant. It said moving my 117 GB library of over 20,000 photos and over 800 videos will take anywhere from three to seven days.
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, go to Apple’s privacy website (privacy.apple.com/account) on your computer.
- Log in with your Apple account.
- Select “Request to transfer a copy of your data”.
- You see a summary of the number of photos and videos stored in iCloud Photos and how much storage space they are currently using.
- Under ‘Choose where to move your photos’, select ‘Google Photos’. It is currently the only option.
- Check the boxes to transfer videos and photos.
- Tap Continue.
- Confirm that you are aware that your photos and videos will not transfer completely if your Google One drive is running out of space by tapping ‘Continue’ again.
- Sign in with your Google account and give Apple access to your Google Photos library.
- Select “Confirm transfers”.
That is it. You should see the images appear in your Google account when the transfer is complete and you will also receive an email confirmation. Be patient: it can take a few days, depending on the size of your library.