Google Photos and iCloud store your pictures in different places, so moving them requires downloading and uploading

Google Photos and iCloud are separate services that do not sync with each other. To move your photos from Google Photos to iCloud, you download them from Google, then upload them to iCloud. The process takes time if you have thousands of photos, but it is straightforward and free.

The method you use depends on how many photos you have and what device you are using. A small batch (under 100 photos) can be moved in an afternoon on any computer. A large library may take several hours or days, and you will need a computer with enough free storage space to hold the photos temporarily while they transfer.

Key Takeaways

  • Download your photos from Google Photos to your computer first, then upload them to iCloud Photos from that same computer.
  • Google Photos lets you download all your photos at once using Google Takeout, or download them one at a time or in small batches through the app.
  • iCloud Photos on a Mac or Windows computer will automatically upload photos you place in the iCloud Photos folder, but you need an iCloud account and enough storage space.
  • Make sure your computer has enough free space to temporarily hold all your photos during the transfer, especially if you have a large library.
  • Photos already in iCloud will not be duplicated if you upload the same photo twice, so you can safely re-upload without worry.

Downloading all your photos from Google Photos at once

The fastest way to move a large photo library is to use Google Takeout, a Google service that packages all your data for download. Go to takeout.google.com, sign in with your Google account, and select only Google Photos (uncheck everything else to save time and space). Google will prepare a file containing all your photos and let you download it.

Google Takeout creates a compressed file (usually a .zip file) that can be several gigabytes in size. Download it to a computer with enough free space — if you have 50 GB of photos, you need at least 50 GB free on your hard drive. Once downloaded, extract (unzip) the file. Your photos will be organized in folders by year and month, matching how Google Photos stored them.

This method works on Mac, Windows, or Linux. The download can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on your internet speed and library size. If your download stops partway through, you can restart it from Google Takeout without losing progress.

Downloading photos one batch at a time through Google Photos

If you prefer not to use Google Takeout, or if you want to move only certain photos, you can download directly from the Google Photos app or website. Open Google Photos, select the photos you want (you can select multiple by holding Shift or Ctrl/Command and clicking), then click the three-dot menu and choose Download. Google will create a zip file of those photos and send it to your computer's Downloads folder.

This method is slower for large libraries because you can only download a few hundred photos at a time before the file becomes too large. It is useful if you want to move photos gradually, or if you only want to transfer certain albums or date ranges. You can repeat this process as many times as needed.

Setting up iCloud Photos on your computer

Before you upload photos to iCloud, you need an iCloud account and iCloud Photos turned on. On a Mac, open System Settings, click your Apple ID at the top, then select iCloud. Turn on iCloud Photos. On Windows, download iCloud for Windows from Apple's website, sign in with your Apple ID, and turn on Photos.

iCloud Photos requires storage space in your iCloud account. Every Apple ID gets 5 GB free, but photos count against that limit. If you have a large library, you may need to buy more storage (50 GB, 200 GB, or 2 TB plans are available). Check how much space you have left before you start uploading.

Once iCloud Photos is turned on, your computer will create an iCloud Photos folder (usually in your Pictures folder on Mac, or in a dedicated iCloud folder on Windows). Any photos you place in this folder will automatically upload to iCloud.

Uploading your downloaded photos to iCloud

After you have downloaded your photos from Google and extracted them, move or copy them into the iCloud Photos folder on your computer. On a Mac, this is usually at ~/Pictures/Photos Library.photoslibrary. On Windows, it is typically in your iCloud folder under Photos. Drag and drop the photo files into this folder, or copy and paste them.

iCloud will begin uploading automatically. The speed depends on your internet connection — a fast connection can upload hundreds of photos per minute, while a slower connection may take hours for a large batch. Keep your computer plugged in and connected to the internet during the upload. You can check progress in iCloud settings or in the Photos app.

Do not move or delete the original files from your computer until the upload is complete and you have confirmed the photos appear in iCloud. Once they are safely in iCloud, you can delete the temporary files you downloaded from Google.

Checking that your photos uploaded successfully

Open iCloud.com in a web browser, sign in with your Apple ID, and click Photos. You should see your uploaded photos organized by date. Alternatively, open the Photos app on your Mac or the iCloud for Windows app and look for your photos in the library. If you see them there, the upload was successful.

If some photos are missing, check that the upload finished completely. iCloud uploads can pause if your internet connection drops or your computer goes to sleep. Make sure iCloud Photos is still turned on in your settings, and check the upload progress indicator. If photos are still missing after several hours, try uploading them again.

Deleting photos from Google Photos after the transfer

Once your photos are safely in iCloud and you have confirmed they are there, you can delete them from Google Photos to free up space. Open Google Photos, select the photos you want to delete, and click the trash icon. Photos in the trash are permanently deleted after 60 days, so you have time to change your mind if needed.

Deleting from Google Photos does not affect your iCloud photos — they are stored separately. If you want to stop using Google Photos entirely, you can delete your Google Photos library and keep your iCloud library as your main photo storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my photos be duplicated if I upload the same photo to iCloud twice?

No. iCloud recognizes duplicate photos and does not create multiple copies. If you accidentally upload the same photo twice, it will appear only once in your iCloud library. This means you can safely re-upload batches of photos without worrying about creating duplicates.

How long does it take to transfer a large photo library?

The time depends on your internet speed and the total size of your photos. Downloading from Google Takeout typically takes 1 to 4 hours for a 50 GB library. Uploading to iCloud takes similar time. A smaller library (under 5 GB) can usually transfer in under an hour. Keep your computer connected to power and the internet during the entire process.

Can I transfer photos directly from Google Photos to iCloud without downloading to my computer?

No. Google Photos and iCloud do not have a direct transfer feature. You must download from Google and upload to iCloud as separate steps. This is why having enough temporary storage space on your computer is important.

What happens to my photos in Google Photos after I move them to iCloud?

Your photos stay in Google Photos unless you delete them. Moving to iCloud does not automatically remove them from Google. You can delete them from Google Photos manually once you have confirmed they are in iCloud, or you can keep them in both places if you want a backup.

Do I need to pay for iCloud storage to transfer my photos?

You get 5 GB free with every Apple ID. If your photo library is smaller than 5 GB, no payment is needed. If it is larger, you will need to buy additional storage. Plans start at 50 GB for a small monthly fee. Check your available iCloud storage before starting the transfer.