14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has released a new service that allows users to transfer iCloud Photos content to Google Photos all automatically, thus making the migration a lot more convenient.
The transfer could take up to seven days, Apple explains, as it needs enough time to make sure it was you the one who initiated the transfer and then to actually move the data. Worth knowing is the photos and videos on Apple’s servers aren’t removed, so you can return to iCloud Photos at a later time.
In other words, Apple just makes a copy of your data and transfers it to Google Photos.
“You can request to transfer a copy of photos and videos you store in iCloud Photos to Google Photos. Transferring photos and videos from iCloud Photos doesn’t remove or alter the content you store with Apple, but sends a copy of your content to the other service,” Apple explains.
“Some data and formats available in iCloud Photos—such as Smart Albums, Live Photos, or some RAW files—may not be available when you transfer your content to another service. More information about what data is transferred is listed below.”
Service only available in select countries
The new migration tool is only available in some specific markets and Apple explains that before everything else, you need to enable two-factor authentication for your account and make sure your Google account has enough storage to complete the transfer.
“Only content stored in iCloud Photos is transferred. Photos and videos are transferred either in the original format or in industry-standard formats that are easy to open and read. In some cases, you may find that the transfer didn’t include all the photos, videos, or formats that you expected and there are a few reasons why this could happen,” Apple says.