Last updated: October 2026
Before I switched phones, I went looking for a way to move my photo library and ran straight into paid transfer tools, all selling a "one-click solution." I suspected Apple and Google already offered a free way to do it. They do, and there are two of them. Which one you need depends on one question: do you want your old library copied over, or only new photos backed up from now on?
- New photos from now on: install Google Photos and turn on backup. Takes two minutes.
- Your whole existing iCloud library: use Apple's transfer tool at privacy.apple.com. It makes a copy and takes several days.
- The catch: Google gives you 15 GB free, shared with Gmail and Drive. If your library is bigger, the free route will not fit it all.
First, check how big your library is
The old version of this article promised "free extra storage," and that was too generous. Every Google account comes with 15 GB, and that space is shared across Google Photos, Gmail and Google Drive. Photos you upload now count against it. Apple's free iCloud tier is 5 GB, so Google gives you more room, but it is not unlimited.
Before you start, open Settings → your name → iCloud and see how much your photos use. If it is more than about 12 GB, expect to pay for extra Google storage or accept that part of the library will not fit. Apple warns that if your Google account runs out of space during the transfer, not all of your items will be transferred.
Method 1: Turn on Google Photos backup (new photos)
Use this if you mainly want future photos safe on Google's servers.
- Install Google Photos from the App Store and sign in with your Google account.
- Allow access to your photos when iOS asks.
- Tap "Turn on backup" when prompted. You can also find it by tapping your profile picture and opening Photos settings, then Backup (some versions call it "Back up & sync").
- Pick a quality setting. "Storage saver" compresses files to save space, and "Original quality" keeps full size. Both count against your 15 GB.
- Leave the app open on Wi-Fi the first time so the initial upload can finish.
This backs up what is on your phone. It does not pull your whole iCloud library from Apple's servers. That is what Method 2 is for.
Method 2: Apple's official transfer tool (whole iCloud library)
This is the one most people do not know exists. It sends a copy of your iCloud Photos straight to Google Photos without downloading anything to your phone or computer.
What you need first
- Your photos must be stored in iCloud Photos.
- Your Apple Account must use two-factor authentication.
- Your Google account needs enough free space for the whole transfer.
Steps
- Go to privacy.apple.com and sign in with your Apple Account.
- Choose "Transfer a copy of your data."
- Select Google Photos as the destination. It is the only option.
- Choose photos, videos, or both. The tool shows how many items you have and how much space they use. Compare that with your free Google space.
- Sign in to the Google account that should receive the copy and approve access.
- Confirm the request. You can check its status on the same Apple page.
What to expect
- It is a copy. Nothing is deleted from iCloud.
- It takes days. Apple has quoted three to seven days for a full library. Start well before you need it.
- Albums and videos behave differently. Photos are transferred with their albums where possible, but videos arrive separately without albums. Album and video names start with "Copy of."
- Some things do not transfer. Apple's warning, as quoted by several outlets, lists shared albums, smart albums, Photo Stream content, Live Photos and some metadata as not transferred. Read the list on Apple's own page before you rely on any of them.
- Album size limit. Google Photos caps an album at 20,000 photos.
- Cancelling keeps what already arrived. Anything transferred before you cancel stays in Google Photos.
One correction to my earlier version: I said Live Photos came across as a still plus a video. Apple's documentation says they are not transferred, so back them up another way if they matter to you, for example with Method 1 on your phone.
Do I need a paid transfer app?
For photos, seldom. The two free methods above cover what most people need. A paid tool can make sense only if you want to move other data in the same operation, like WhatsApp messages or contacts. For a photo library alone, you are paying for something Apple and Google already do for free.
Before you delete anything from your iPhone
Neither method frees up space on your phone. Both leave your originals in place. If your goal is more room on the device, finish the transfer first, then check before you delete:
- Open Google Photos on a computer at photos.google.com.
- Compare the photo and video counts with what you have in iCloud.
- Spot-check a few older photos, a few videos and any albums you care about.
- Only then delete from your iPhone, or turn off iCloud Photos.
For other ways to clear space, read How to Free Up iPhone Storage Without Deleting Photos.
FAQ
Will this delete my iCloud photos?
No. Both methods copy your photos. Your iCloud library stays as it was.
How long does Apple's transfer take?
Several days for a full library. Apple has quoted three to seven.
Is Google Photos unlimited and free?
No. New uploads count against the 15 GB shared across your Google account. Extra space is a paid upgrade.
What if my Google storage fills up halfway?
Apple says not all your items will transfer. Free up space or buy more storage, then check what is missing.
Do my shared albums come across?
No. Apple lists shared albums as not transferred, so save those separately.
My recommendation
Turn on Google Photos backup today, because it takes two minutes and protects every photo you take from now on. Then, if you want the old library too, start Apple's transfer a week before you need it, and check your Google storage first. Don't delete anything from your iPhone until you have compared the counts.
Also on the blog: 10 iPhone Settings You Should Change Right Now and How to Use Claude AI on iPhone.
Sources: Transfer a copy of your iCloud Photos (Apple Support) · Cult of Mac: transferring iCloud Photos to Google Photos · XDA Developers: transfer time and the 15 GB limit