Google Photos, the free photo-storage service, comes preinstalled on many Android phones. It’s become so popular that even iPhone users want to use it even though they have iCloud Photos. Fortunately, it's also available on iOS, and it doesn't discriminate in its features. What you get on Android is available on iPad and iPhone too. Here we will tell you how to transfer your iPhone photos to Google Photos.
If you recently shifted to an Android phone or you want to use the Google Photos service instead of iCloud, this post will help you in making the transition. In the former case, you simply need to add the pictures in Google Photos, as shown in this post. For the latter, you have to install the Google Photos app and disable iCloud. The rest is automatic.
Securely back-up your photos and videos to Google Photos and enjoy them from any device. Find the right photos faster. Your photos are automatically organized and searchable so you can easily find the photo you’re looking for. Easily save and share what matters. Import photos from a camera or phone using Photos on Mac You can connect a camera, iPhone, iPad, or other mobile device to your Mac and import your photos into the Photos app. You can also import photos from a camera’s memory card.
Let's check in detail how to move iPhone or iCloud images to Google Photos. But before that, let's understand Google Photos a bit.
How Does Google Photos Work on iPhone
Google Photos acts in the same way as iCloud. Besides letting you view the photos available on your iPhone, it continuously stores them on the Google cloud. You can remove all the photos from iPhone and keep them in Google Photos. That way, you can free up storage on your iPhone. Even though iCloud also saves space by compressing photos, it doesn’t remove them entirely from your phone. So some storage is still occupied.
Talking about storage, iCloud only offers 5GB free storage, which is shared with other Apple products. On the other hand, Google Photos offers 15GB of free storage, which is also shared between other Google products.
However, you can upload unlimited pictures if you choose High-quality back up mode instead of Original quality. The difference is that in the High-quality mode, your photos are compressed to 16MP and videos to 1080p. In the Original quality, they are saved with their original size.
Download Google Photos on iPhone![Google Google](/uploads/1/3/4/5/134521277/400816588.png)
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Read MoreMove Images to Google Photos
There are two ways to move images from iPhone to Google Photos. You can either do it on the iPhone or iPad itself or take the help of a computer. Both methods are covered below.
If you are switching to an Android phone, you only need to install the Google Photos app (in case it isn't preinstalled) and use the same Google account. All your iPhone pictures will show up automatically. If you want to use Google Photos instead of iCloud, then simply disable iCloud after moving photos, as shown below.
1. How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Google Photos on iPhone
For that, you need to enable the Backup and sync feature on the Google Photos app on iPhone. By doing so, all the pictures and videos on your iPhone will automatically back up to Google Photos. This method works in both situations, i.e., whether iCloud Photos is enabled or not.
In case iCloud Photos is turned off, then only the photos available on your phone will migrate to Google Photos. If it is on, then all the images, including the ones on iCloud, will get stored on Google Photos automatically. That’s because iCloud Photos is primarily a photo sync service. Meaning, any photo stored in iCloud will create its copy on your phone. Now that you have a copy and that’s what Google Photos needs, it gets saved there too.
To save space on iPhone, Apple lets you choose between two iCloud settings — Optimize iPhone storage and Download & Keep Originals. When the former is enabled, the main copy is saved on iCloud, and you see only an optimized version. This feature only starts working when your phone is running low on storage. In case your phone has enough storage, it will save an original copy on your iPhone too. The second option stores the original copy on your phone and in iCloud both.
Note: If iCloud is enabled, we would suggest transferring images on computer to Google Photos to avoid any confusion between Optimize iPhone storage and Download & Keep Originals.Here’s how to go about it.
Step 1: Launch the Google Photos app on your iPhone or iPad. Log in with your Google account when asked.
Step 2: Tap on the three-bar icon at the top-left corner and select Settings from the menu.
Step 3: Tap on Backup & sync. Then, enable Backup & sync on the next screen.
Step 4: You will see the Upload size option when you enable backup. Choose High quality to get free unlimited storage.
2. How to Move Photos from iPhone to Google Photos on Computer
There are two ways to do that. The first one is for offline photos, and the second one is for pictures stored in iCloud.
Move Offline Photos
In the first case, you need to transfer the images from your iPhone to the computer by using file transfer apps or connecting it via a USB cable. Once the images are on your system, open photos.google.com on your PC via any web browser. Log in with your Google account. Click on Upload at the top and select Computer. Then navigate to the iPhone files that you recently copied to your system. Select the files to upload them to Google Photos.
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#How-to/Guides
Click here to see our How-to/Guides articles pageMove iCloud Pictures
If you want to transfer pictures saved in iCloud to Google Photos on your PC, you need to download them first. For that, open icloud.com/photos and log in with your Apple ID. Click on the Select option present on the right side of photos. Then, select the photos and videos that you want to move to Google Photos. Press CTRL + A (Windows) and CMD + A (macOS) to select all files.
Once you have selected all the required files, click on the download icon at the top to start saving them on your PC.
A ZIP file will be created. So you need to download and extract it. After extracting it, open photos.google.com. Click on the Upload icon followed by Computer. Navigate to the ZIP folder that you extracted. Add the images and videos.
What Happens When You Add Images to Google Photos on Computer
In both cases, the uploaded files will automatically show up on the Google Photos app on your iPhone, provided you are using the same Google account. You don't have to enable any setting. Even if Backup and sync is disabled, the photos will still sync as it is automatic. They will not occupy any storage on your iPhone as the photos technically reside in the cloud only.
Check if Photo Transfer Was Successful
When the transfer is complete, you should verify by checking the total number of photos on your iPhone and in Google Photos.
To check the total number of photos on iPhone, open the Apple Photos app and scroll down. You will see the count. Similarly, open icloud.com/photos, and scroll down. Note the number of photos.
Now open Google dashboard and check the number listed under Google Photos. It should match with the above number provided there was no photo or video already in Google Photos.
How to Disable iCloud Photos
When all your pictures and videos show up in Google Photos, and you have verified the same from Google Dashboard, you can go ahead and disable iCloud Photos. For that, open Settings on your iPhone and tap on Photos. Turn off the toggle next to iCloud Photos. Before disabling it, you should read in detail what happens when you disable iCloud Photos.
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Read MoreBe Patient
If you have many files on your iPhone, then the process will take time, depending on the number of photos and videos. The overall process also depends on the internet speed. So have patience while migrating the photos. If you ever want to switch back to iCloud from Google Photos, you can do that too.
Next up: Even though you have transferred your photos, is the question who can see my Google Photos bothering you? Find out the real answer from the link given below.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read NextWho Can See My Google PhotosAlso See#google photos #icloud
Did You Know
Google PhotoScan lets you scan your old photos, minus the flash.
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Photos in macOS Catalina has an immersive, dynamic look that showcases your best photos. Find the shots you’re looking for with powerful search options. Organize your collection into albums, or keep your photos organized automatically with smart albums. Perfect your images with intuitive built-in editing tools, or use your favorite photos apps. And with iCloud Photos, you can keep all your photos and videos stored in iCloud and up to date on your Mac, Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, and even your PC.
A smarter way to find your favorites.
Photos in macOS Catalina intelligently declutters and curates your photos and videos — so you can easily see your best memories.
Focus on your best shots.
Photos emphasizes the best shots in your library, hiding duplicates, receipts, and screenshots. Days, Months, and Years views organize your photos by when they were taken. Your best shots are highlighted with larger previews, and Live Photos and videos play automatically, bringing your library to life. Photos also highlights important moments like birthdays, anniversaries, and trips in the Months and Years views.
Your memories. Now playing.
Memories finds your best photos and videos and weaves them together into a memorable movie — complete with theme music, titles, and cinematic transitions — that you can personalize and share. So you can enjoy a curated collection of your trips, holidays, friends, family, pets, and more. And when you use iCloud Photos, all edits automatically sync to your other devices.
The moment you’re looking for, always at hand.
With Search, you can look for photos based on who’s in them or what’s in them — like strawberries or sunsets. Or combine search terms, like “beach 2017.” If you’re looking for photos you imported a couple of months ago, use the expanded import history to look back at each batch in chronological order. And in the My Albums tab, you’ll find your videos, selfies, panoramas, and other media types automatically organized into separate albums.
Fill your library, not your device.
Transfer Google Photos To Computer
iCloud Photos can help you make the most of the space on your Mac. When you choose “Optimize Mac Storage,” all your full‑resolution photos and videos are stored in iCloud in their original formats, with storage-saving versions kept on your Mac as space is needed. You can also optimize storage on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, so you can access more photos and videos than ever before. You get 5GB of free storage in iCloud — and as your library grows, you have the option to choose a plan for up to 2TB.
Make an edit here, see it there. When you make changes on your Mac like editing a photo, marking a Favorite, or adding to an album, they’re kept up to date on your iPhone, your iPad, and iCloud.com. And vice versa — any changes made on your iOS or iPadOS devices are automatically reflected on your Mac.
All your photos on all your devices. iCloud Photos gives you access to your entire Mac photo and video library from all your devices. If you shoot a snapshot, slo-mo, or selfie on your iPhone, it’s automatically added to iCloud Photos — so it appears on your Mac, iOS and iPadOS devices, Apple TV, iCloud.com, and your PC. Even the photos and videos imported from your DSLR, GoPro, or drone to your Mac appear on all your iCloud Photos–enabled devices. And since your collection is organized the same way across your Apple devices, navigating your library always feels familiar.
Resize. Crop. Collage. Zoom. Warp. GIF. And more.
Create standout photos with a comprehensive set of powerful but easy-to-use editing tools. Instantly transform photos taken in Portrait mode with five different studio-quality lighting effects. Choose Enhance to improve your photo with just a click. Then use a filter to give it a new look. Or use Smart Sliders to quickly edit like a pro even if you’re a beginner. Markup lets you add text, shapes, sketches, or a signature to your images. And you can turn Live Photos into fun, short video loops to share. You can also make edits to photos using third-party app extensions like Pixelmator, or edit a photo in an app like Photoshop and save your changes to your Photos library.
- LightBrilliance, a slider in Light, automatically brightens dark areas and pulls in highlights to reveal hidden details and make your photo look richer and more vibrant.
- ColorMake your photo stand out by adjusting saturation, color contrast, and color cast.
- Black & WhiteAdd some drama by taking the color out. Fine-tune intensity and tone, or add grain for a film-quality black-and-white effect.
- White BalanceChoose between Neutral Gray, Skin Tone, and Temperature/Tint options to make colors in your photo warmer or cooler.
- CurvesMake fine-tuned contrast and color adjustments to your photos.
- LevelsAdjust midtones, highlights, and shadows to perfect the tonal balance in your photo.
- DefinitionIncrease image clarity by adjusting the definition slider.
- Selective ColorWant to make blues bluer or greens greener? Use Selective Color to bring out specific colors in your image.
- VignetteAdd shading to the edges of your photo to highlight a powerful moment.
- Editing ExtensionsDownload third-party editing extensions from the Mac App Store to add filters and texture effects, use retouching tools, reduce noise, and more.
- Reset AdjustmentsWhen you’ve made an edit, you can judge it against the original by clicking Compare. If you don’t like how it looks, you can reset your adjustments or revert to your original shot.
![Photos Photos](/uploads/1/3/4/5/134521277/270922497.webp)
Bring even more life to your Live Photos. When you edit a Live Photo, the Loop effect can turn it into a continuous looping video that you can experience again and again. Try Bounce to play the action forward and backward. Or choose Long Exposure for a beautiful DSLR‑like effect to blur water or extend light trails. You can also trim, mute, and select a key photo for each Live Photo.
Download Google Photos To My Mac
Add some fun filters.
With just a click, you can apply one of nine photo filters inspired by classic photography styles to your photos.
Share here, there, and everywhere.
Use the Share menu to easily share photos via Shared Albums and AirDrop. Or send photos to your favorite photo sharing destinations, such as Facebook and Twitter. You can also customize the menu and share directly to other compatible sites that offer sharing extensions.
Turn your pictures into projects.
Making high-quality projects and special gifts for loved ones is easier than ever with Photos. Create everything from gorgeous photo books to professionally framed gallery prints to stunning websites using third-party project extensions like Motif, Mimeo Photos, Shutterfly, ifolor, WhiteWall, Mpix, Fujifilm, and Wix.