Ever switched between iOS and Android devices? If you have then you can remember the struggle of transferring pictures from Google Photos to iCloud Photos or vice versa for that matter. Now the struggle won't be the same though. Apple and Google have collaborated to reduce the struggles of transferring photos directly from Google Photos to iCloud Photos. This comes as a result of the efforts that both companies made after they partnered in 2021 to allow easier file transferring from iCloud Photos to Google Photos.


Currently, if a user wants to transfer pictures, they have to first download them from Google Photos and then upload them on the Apple iCloud. However, this process is going to be a lot easier with the direct transfer option, which will allow users to transfer photos from Google Photos to Apple iCloud directly without requiring download and upload steps.


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Availability Of Feature To Make Transfer Of Photos Between iOS & Android Easy


According to an update on Apple's support page, this new service will be available to Apple account holders in over 240 countries and regions. The update is expected to be rolled out over the next week. When the service becomes available to users, the option will appear within Google Takeout. However, Apple notes that the service will not be available for child accounts or managed Apple ID accounts. Additionally, users with "Advanced Data Protection" turned on for iCloud will not be able to import photo and video data to iCloud.


Apple has also confirmed that transferring photos and videos from Google Photos to iCloud Photos does not delete the files from Google Photos.


Which Files Will Be Supported In This Update


The supported file types include JPEG, HEIC, PNG, GIF, TIFF, BMP, MP4, and MOV. Apple has stated that other photo and video files that cannot be transferred to iCloud Photos, such as RAW files, will instead be transferred to iCloud Drive.


How To Transfer Photos & Videos From Google Photos To iCloud Photos



  • Navigate to the transfer Photos section in Google Takeout

  • Access your Google Account Dashboard

  • Under Recently used Google services, scroll to Photos or Other Google services

  • Select Transfer data

  • Select the desired data and tap on the Continue option

  • Choose Apple - iCloud Photos as the destination and sign in with your Apple ID

  • Tap Allow to share permission