Apple’s ICloud is a great service if you’re an iPhone user, but what if you’re tempted to make the jump to Android? While there is a way to manually transfer your pictures and photos from one phone to another, it quickly becomes an issue when you consider the larger iCloud libraries, some of which may exceed 100GB depending on the amount of snapshots. and videos to record.
The good news is that there are several ways to transfer iCloud photos and videos to Google Photos, including using Apple’s new data and privacy tools to directly transfer iCloud content to another service. Here we explain everything you need to know.
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How to Transfer Photos and Videos from iCloud to Google Photos
When it comes to transferring your iCloud library to Google Photos, there are two ways to do it: by using the Google Photos app and by using Apple’s data and privacy tools.
Using the Google Photos app
If you have a relatively small library of photos and videos on your iPhone synced with iCloud, the fastest and easiest way to upload your content to Google Photos is to simply download the Google Photos app for iOS.
Once downloaded, sign in with your Google account and start the syncing process; the app will make a copy of most, if not all, of the photos and videos stored on your phone.
The time required will vary depending on the amount of content to download and the speed of your internet connection, but this is done automatically in the background, so there is no need to keep the app on screen all the time. time.
Once transferred, you even have the option to erase all the backed up content from your phone to free up space, but it’s not a required step.
Of course, if you have literally thousands of photos and videos to download and a relatively slow internet connection, this process isn’t ideal – those who find themselves in this situation should use the new data and privacy tools of Apple.
Using Apple Data and Privacy Tools
In an early 2020 update to its data and privacy tools, Apple introduced the ability to transfer photos and videos stored in iCloud to another cloud service provider without downloading an app – all of this is done directly through iCloud. and from third party cloud providers.
The direct transfer service is limited to Google Photos at this time, but compatibility with other cloud providers is expected to expand in the coming months.
Before you go this route, there are certain requirements listed by Apple, namely that you use iCloud to store your content, have two-factor authentication enabled on your account, have a Google account to transfer to. content, and, more importantly, that your Google Account has sufficient storage space to complete the transfer.
It may not have been a problem so far, but Google has confirmed that free unlimited photo storage in Google Photos will end in June 2021, which means that, like with iCloud, you will likely have to pay. a month. fee to store your library.
To use Apple tools to transfer content from iCloud to Google Photos:
1. Access Apple’s data and privacy tools using the Apple ID linked to your iCloud library.
2. Locate the Transfer a copy of your data section and click Request to transfer a copy of your data.
3. Select Google Photos as the destination from the drop-down menu, check whether you want to upload photos or videos (or both), and click Continue.
4. Confirm that you have enough space in your Google Account for the transfer.
5. Navigate to the Google Account where you want to transfer your iCloud library.
6. Allow Apple to add your photos and videos to your Google Photos account.
7. Verify your details and press the Confirm Transfer button to start the process.
Then the transfer will begin, a process that will take between 3 and 7 days according to Apple, although it will likely depend on the size of your iCloud library. Once the transfer is complete, you will receive a confirmation email.
What are the limits for uploading photos and videos to Google Photos?
Google Photos is a great alternative to iCloud for storing your digital memories, but it’s not the perfect substitute as Apple has confirmed that you won’t be able to transfer smart albums, some RAW files, and live photos to the cloud service. from Google, although you will still get a still image version of the latter in the Google Library.
Images that have been edited in Photos for iPhone will be transferred, but only the most recent edition will be transferred, not the original. Oh, and when the transfer is complete, your album and video names will start with “Copy of”.
So it’s not the perfect transfer process, but if you want to break free from Apple’s walled garden, it’s pretty easy to do.
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