Google and Apple have unveiled a new tool aimed at simplifying the transfer of images from Google Photos to iCloud, as part of their joint effort known as the Data Transfer Initiative.
Initially reported by 9to5Mac, this tool expands Google Takeout’s export options to include iCloud transfers.
Scheduled to roll out gradually over the next week, the tool automates the transfer process directly from Google Photos to iCloud, eliminating the need for users to manually download and upload files. According to an Apple support page, the transfer duration may vary from several hours to a few days depending on the size of the data being transferred.
It’s important to note that transferring photos from Google to iCloud does not delete them from Google Photos; users must manually delete them if desired. Additionally, the service is not available for child accounts, Managed Apple ID accounts (typically administered by IT professionals), or iCloud accounts with Advanced Data Protection enabled.
This new tool follows the launch in 2021 of a similar tool facilitating the transfer of images from iCloud to Google Photos.
The DTI was established in 2023 through a collaboration among Apple, Google, and Meta. Officially part of the Data Transfer Project, which began in 2018 as an open-source initiative, the DTI’s timing coincidentally aligns with regulatory developments such as the European Commission’s identification of “gatekeepers” under the Digital Markets Act.
While the tool is set to become available soon (not currently visible in Google Takeout), users will initiate the transfer process directly through the Google Takeout platform.
