Switching from Google Photos to iCloud can feel overwhelming at first. Thousands of memories. Years of snapshots. Videos, selfies, screenshots, and more. The good news? It’s totally doable. And with the right approach, it can be simple, organized, and even a little satisfying.
TL;DR: Moving photos from Google Photos to iCloud is easier if you plan ahead. First, download your photos from Google. Then upload them to iCloud using a Mac, PC, or iPhone. Make sure you check storage, internet speed, and file organization before you start. Follow the 8 tips below to make your migration smooth and stress-free.
Why Transfer from Google Photos to iCloud?
People switch for different reasons.
- You bought a new iPhone.
- You prefer Apple’s ecosystem.
- You want everything synced across iPad, Mac, and iPhone.
- You like Apple’s privacy approach.
Whatever your reason, the process follows the same basic steps. Download. Organize. Upload. Sync. Done.
Tip 1: Clean Up Before You Move
Before you transfer anything, take some time to clean house.
Delete blurry photos. Remove duplicates. Get rid of old screenshots. This saves storage space and speeds up the upload.
Google Photos makes it easy to review large files and duplicates. It’s worth doing. Less clutter means less chaos in iCloud later.
Pro tip: Empty the trash in Google Photos after deleting. Items stay there for 60 days unless permanently removed.
Tip 2: Check Your iCloud Storage
This is important.
Apple gives you 5GB of free storage. That fills up fast. Especially with photos and videos.
Before transferring, check how much space you need:
- Open Google Photos.
- Check total storage used.
- Compare it to your iCloud plan.
If needed, upgrade your iCloud plan:
- 50GB
- 200GB
- 2TB
- 6TB or 12TB for heavy users
Make sure you have more space than you think you need. Photos expand once uploaded due to metadata and syncing.
Tip 3: Use Google Takeout for Bulk Download
The easiest way to download everything is through Google Takeout.
Here’s how:
- Go to Google Takeout.
- Select only Google Photos.
- Choose file type (ZIP is easiest).
- Select file size (2GB or 4GB chunks work well).
- Click “Create export.”
Google will prepare your files. This may take hours. Sometimes days if you have a huge library.
You’ll receive a download link by email. Download everything to a computer. Not your phone. It’s safer and faster.
Tip 4: Organize Your Photos Before Uploading
Once downloaded, extract the ZIP files.
You’ll see folders sorted by date. Sometimes albums appear separately.
This is a good moment to:
- Merge folders if needed.
- Rename albums.
- Create a clean master folder.
iCloud doesn’t always recreate Google album structures perfectly. So manual organization now saves frustration later.
Simple folder structure works best:
- Year folders (2022, 2023, 2024)
- Event-based folders (Vacation, Birthday, Wedding)
Keep it simple. Clean. Logical.
Tip 5: Upload Using a Mac for the Smoothest Experience
If you have a Mac, use it.
Turn on iCloud Photos:
- Open System Settings.
- Tap your Apple ID.
- Enable iCloud Photos.
Then:
- Open the Photos app.
- Drag your photo folders into the app.
- Wait for sync to begin.
The Photos app uploads everything automatically to iCloud.
Important: Keep your Mac plugged in. Keep Wi-Fi stable. Large libraries can take hours or days to fully upload.
Tip 6: No Mac? Use iCloud for Windows or iCloud.com
Don’t have a Mac? No problem.
You have two options:
Option A: iCloud for Windows
- Download iCloud for Windows.
- Enable Photos sync.
- Copy your folders into the iCloud Photos directory.
Sync happens automatically.
Option B: iCloud.com
- Go to iCloud.com.
- Log in.
- Open Photos.
- Click Upload.
This works well for smaller batches. But uploading 50,000 files through a browser can be slow.
Tip 7: Be Patient with Metadata and Dates
Here’s something many people don’t expect.
Sometimes photo dates shift after transfer.
Why?
- Metadata differences.
- Edited file timestamps.
- Missing EXIF data.
Most photos transfer correctly. But if dates matter (like for professional work), double-check random batches after upload.
You can adjust dates directly inside the Apple Photos app if needed.
It’s a small step. But worth checking.
Tip 8: Move in Batches if Your Library Is Huge
If you have over 100GB of photos, move them in chunks.
Why?
- Reduces upload errors.
- Makes troubleshooting easier.
- Keeps your internet stable.
Example strategy:
- Upload 2015–2018 first.
- Wait until fully synced.
- Then upload 2019–2022.
- Continue until finished.
Slow and steady wins here.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Delete Google Photos Immediately
This is important.
After uploading to iCloud, wait at least two weeks before deleting anything from Google Photos.
Why?
- You can confirm everything transferred.
- You can check albums.
- You can verify video playback.
Think of Google Photos as your temporary backup during the transition.
Common Problems (And Quick Fixes)
Upload stuck?
Restart the Photos app. Check Wi-Fi.
Missing videos?
Check file format. iCloud supports most major formats like MP4 and MOV.
Storage full message?
Upgrade iCloud or remove unnecessary backups.
Duplicates appearing?
Use the “Duplicates” detection tool in the Photos app under Utilities.
Most issues have simple fixes. Stay calm.
How Long Does the Transfer Take?
That depends on three things:
- Library size
- Internet speed
- Computer performance
Rough idea:
- 10GB → 1–2 hours
- 100GB → 1–2 days
- 500GB+ → Several days
Uploads continue in the background. So you can still use your device.
Is There an Automatic Direct Transfer Option?
In some regions, Google offers a direct transfer tool that sends photos to iCloud automatically.
This is the easiest method if available in your country.
You simply:
- Go to Google Photos settings.
- Select “Transfer a copy of your photos.”
- Choose iCloud.
- Log into Apple.
Done.
However, availability varies. And it may not support all file types.
Final Thoughts
Moving from Google Photos to iCloud doesn’t have to be stressful.
Think of it as organizing your memories. Cleaning up old clutter. Setting yourself up inside a new ecosystem.
Follow these simple steps:
- Clean your library.
- Check storage.
- Download using Google Takeout.
- Organize files.
- Upload carefully.
- Verify everything.
- Wait before deleting originals.
That’s it.
Your photos will be safe. Synced across all Apple devices. Easy to search. Easy to share.
Take it slow. Be patient. And soon, all your favorite memories will live happily inside iCloud.
You’ve got this.