Apple finally lets you transfer Google Photos to iCloud — here's how

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Three years after the iCloud to Google Photos tool came out

Apple Photos
(Image credit: Apple)

Three years after Apple and Google teamed up to create a tool for transferring photos from iCloud to Google Photos, the option to go the other direction is available. 

The two tech giants collaborated again to make a data portability tool that enables users to transfer from Google Photos to iCloud Photos, as reported by 9to5Mac.

Support pages on Apple and Google sites provide details on transferring photos and videos from Google Photos to iCloud. 

It should be noted that the tool that allowed transfers from iCloud to Google Photos, the transfer is only a copy. The photos and videos are not deleted from Google Photos after the transfer. 

How to transfer photos and videos

  • Go to Google Takeout
  • Follow the instructions to start an export from Google Photos.
  • Choose "Apple - iCloud Photos" as the destination to transfer and sign in with your Apple ID.
  • Tap Allow to share permission with Google to add photos and videos to iCloud.
  • You can check the status of or cancel your transfer on Apple's Data and Privacy page
  • When you start a transfer and when a transfer is complete, Apple sends email notifications to the email addresses associated with your Apple ID account.

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Scott Younker
Scott Younker
West Coast Reporter

Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. He also handles all the Connections coverage on Tom's Guide and has been playing the addictive NYT game since it released.