Apple Allows You to Transfer iCloud Photos and Videos To Google Photo
Apple recently announced that there will be a new service which allows iCloud user to transfer their photo and videos to Google Photos too, where the iCloud user has to ensure that their Apple ID uses two-factor authentication and they have a Google account to use the Google Photos and enough storage are available too. Then they have to sign in with their Apple ID at privacy.apple.com and request to transfer a copy of photo and videos on iCloud photo to Google photo.
This transfer process will take between three and seven days to complete and some data and formats are available in iCloud photos such as the Smart Albums, Live Photo and some raw files may not be transferred over and also other restriction such as 20,000 photo limit per album.
This new service initially is available to consumers in Australia, Canada and the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the U.K and the US. Do note that Google Photos is ceasing support for free unlimited storage from June 2021, so there is a chance that most consumers outside these select countries will miss out on the opportunity to use Google Photos as a free, alternative cloud storage service.
Let’s take a quick look at the requirements
While the transfer tool is easy to use, taking just a few clicks of the mouse to begin the process, there are some things you’ll need to be aware of before you start the transition. 
The requirements list on the Apple support page notes that in addition to using iCloud Photos to store your pictures and videos, your Apple ID will need to have two-factor authentication turned on. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure your Google account has enough storage to handle the transfer.
Start a transfer of your iCloud Photos to Google Photos
The best part about the way Apple built its transfer tool is that you don’t have to download all of your photos and videos, and then upload them to Google Photos separately. Instead, Apple takes care of the transfer after you connect your Apple ID and Google account.
To start the transfer, you’ll need to visit privacy.apple.com and sign in to the Apple ID linked to your iCloud Photos account. Next, click on Request to transfer a copy of your data under the Transfer a copy of your data section.
Click the drop-down menu and pick Google Photos, and then click the two checkboxes that are displayed, one for photos, another for videos. Click Continue. Google Photos is the only option available right now, but it sure feels like this tool was built with the intention of adding more services.
Apple will show you how much storage your photo library will use, and remind you to check your Google account and make sure you have enough space. If you don’t have enough room, the transfer will stop and not everything will be copied over. Click Continue after you’ve checked your Google account’s storage amount.
That said, Google Photos does allow you to keep an unlimited amount of photos and videos as long as you select “high quality” and not original; however, there isn’t an option to select the quality in Apple’s tool. Starting June 1, any new photos and videos uploaded to Google will count against your storage plan. You can sign in to Google Drive to see how much storage you have, and I’d also recommend signing in to your Google Photos account and checking your settings to see what quality your photos are being stored as.
A pop-up window will ask you to sign in to your Google account and grant Apple access to your Google Photos library. Follow the prompts.
When you’re done, the transfer will begin. According to Apple, the process will take three to seven days to complete. When Apple has completed the transfer, you’ll receive an email letting you know it’s done.
While it’s not the quickest process, it is by far the easiest and most trustworthy tool I’ve seen. For someone who’s jumped ship to Android, leaving the iPhone behind, what more can you ask for? Remember, Google is getting rid of free unlimited storage starting June 1, 2021, but photos or videos you transfer before that date won’t count against the cap.
