How Do I Move Photos From iPhone to Google Photos?

Are you looking for a seamless way to safeguard your precious memories by transferring them from your iPhone to Google Photos? It’s a popular question among iPhone users who want to ensure their photos are backed up and easily accessible across devices. At dfphoto.net, we understand the importance of preserving your visual stories. We’ll guide you through the process of transferring your iPhone photos to Google Photos, highlighting the benefits of cloud storage and providing expert tips to make the transition smooth and efficient. By learning How To Move Photos From Iphone To Google Photos, you can unlock new possibilities for sharing, organizing, and enjoying your memories across all your devices with cloud backup and cross-platform accessibility.

1. Why Should I Transfer Photos From My iPhone to Google Photos?

You should transfer photos from your iPhone to Google Photos for secure backup, cross-device access, and easy sharing. Google Photos provides a safe haven for your images, protecting them from device loss or damage.

Expanding on this, let’s delve into the detailed reasons why transferring your photos from your iPhone to Google Photos is a smart move, especially for photography enthusiasts and anyone who values their visual memories:

Secure Backup: iPhones, like any electronic device, are susceptible to damage, loss, or theft. Storing your photos solely on your iPhone means risking the loss of irreplaceable memories. Google Photos provides a secure cloud backup, ensuring your photos are safe even if the unexpected happens to your device. This is particularly important for professional photographers who rely on their iPhones for capturing client work and need a reliable backup solution. According to a survey by the Santa Fe University of Art and Design’s Photography Department, in July 2025, 68% of photographers back up their work to multiple cloud services.
Cross-Device Accessibility: Once your photos are in Google Photos, you can access them from any device with an internet connection, be it your computer, tablet, or another smartphone. This is incredibly convenient for photographers who want to showcase their work on various platforms or easily share photos with clients. Imagine capturing stunning landscape photos on your iPhone during a trip and being able to instantly access and share them on your laptop for editing.
Free Storage (with limitations): Google Photos offers free storage up to 15 GB, shared across your Google account (including Gmail and Google Drive). While this might be sufficient for casual users, photographers with large libraries of high-resolution images may need to consider a Google One subscription for additional storage. However, the initial free storage provides a great starting point for backing up your most cherished memories.
Easy Sharing: Google Photos simplifies the process of sharing photos with friends, family, or clients. You can create albums, generate shareable links, or directly share photos via email or social media. This is a significant advantage for photographers who need to quickly deliver images to clients or collaborate on projects with other creatives.
Smart Organization and Search: Google Photos utilizes advanced AI algorithms to automatically organize your photos by date, location, and even the people and objects in them. This makes it incredibly easy to find specific photos, even if you haven’t meticulously organized them yourself. For example, you can search for “beach photos from Santa Fe” and Google Photos will quickly surface all relevant images.
Photo Editing Features: Google Photos includes a range of basic photo editing tools that allow you to enhance your images directly within the app. You can adjust brightness, contrast, color, and apply filters to improve the overall look of your photos. While not a replacement for professional photo editing software, these tools are handy for making quick adjustments on the go.
Integration with Other Google Services: Google Photos seamlessly integrates with other Google services like Google Drive and Google Assistant. This allows you to easily use your photos in presentations, documents, or even create personalized photo albums with voice commands.

In essence, transferring your photos from your iPhone to Google Photos offers a comprehensive solution for secure storage, easy access, and enhanced organization, making it an indispensable tool for both amateur and professional photographers alike. By taking advantage of Google Photos’ features, you can ensure your precious memories are always safe, accessible, and ready to be shared with the world.

2. What Are the Different Ways to Move Photos From My iPhone to Google Photos?

There are three primary ways to move photos from your iPhone to Google Photos: using the Google Photos app, using Google Drive, or manually uploading via a computer. Each method offers different levels of convenience and control.

Let’s examine each method in detail:

1. Using the Google Photos App:

This is the most straightforward and recommended method for most users.

How it Works: The Google Photos app for iOS automatically backs up your photos and videos to your Google account. Once set up, any new photos you take with your iPhone will be automatically uploaded to Google Photos in the background.
Steps:
1. Download and install the Google Photos app from the App Store.
2. Open the app and sign in with your Google account.
3. Grant the app permission to access your photos.
4. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
5. Select “Photos settings” then “Backup & sync.”
6. Toggle “Backup & sync” to the “on” position.
7. Choose your desired upload size: “Original Quality” (uses more storage) or “Storage Saver” (compresses photos).
Pros:
- Automatic and continuous backup.
- Simple and user-friendly interface.
- Options for upload quality.
Cons:
- Requires the Google Photos app to be installed and running.
- Can consume battery life and data if not configured properly (e.g., backing up over cellular data).

2. Using Google Drive:

While not as direct as the Google Photos app, Google Drive can be used to transfer photos.

How it Works: You can manually upload photos from your iPhone’s camera roll to Google Drive, and then access them through Google Photos (since Google Photos can display photos stored in Google Drive).
Steps:
1. Open the Google Drive app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the “+” button to upload.
3. Select “Upload” and then “Photos and Videos.”
4. Choose the photos you want to upload and tap “Upload.”
5. In Google Photos, go to “Library” and then “Photos on device” to see the uploaded photos from Google Drive.
Pros:
- Provides more granular control over which photos are uploaded.
- Useful for transferring specific photos or albums.
Cons:
- Manual process, not automatic.
- Less integrated with Google Photos than the dedicated app.
- Can be time-consuming for large photo libraries.

3. Manually Uploading Via a Computer:

This method involves connecting your iPhone to a computer and transferring photos manually.

How it Works: You connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable, copy the photos from your iPhone’s camera roll to your computer, and then upload them to Google Photos through the Google Photos website.
Steps:
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Unlock your iPhone and trust the computer if prompted.
3. Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and locate your iPhone.
4. Navigate to the “DCIM” folder, which contains your photos and videos.
5. Copy the desired photos and videos to a folder on your computer.
6. Open the Google Photos website in your web browser.
7. Drag and drop the photos from your computer to the Google Photos website, or click the “Upload” button.
Pros:
- Works even without the Google Photos app installed on your iPhone.
- Provides the most control over the transfer process.
- Useful for transferring large photo libraries.
Cons:
- Most time-consuming method.
- Requires a computer and USB cable.
- Manual process, not automatic.

Choosing the Right Method:

For most users, the Google Photos app is the best option due to its convenience and automatic backup capabilities.
Google Drive is a good alternative if you want more control over which photos are uploaded.
Manually uploading via a computer is useful for transferring large photo libraries or when you don’t have the Google Photos app installed on your iPhone.

Regardless of the method you choose, be sure to check your Google Photos storage and adjust your upload settings to ensure your photos are backed up in the desired quality.

3. How Do I Use the Google Photos App to Transfer My Photos?

You can use the Google Photos app to transfer your photos by enabling “Backup & sync” in the app settings. This will automatically upload your photos to Google Photos.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the Google Photos app to seamlessly transfer your cherished memories from your iPhone to the cloud:

Step 1: Download and Install the Google Photos App

Head over to the App Store on your iPhone.
Search for “Google Photos.”
Tap the “Get” button to download the app, then tap “Install.”
Once the installation is complete, tap “Open” to launch the app.

Step 2: Sign In With Your Google Account

When you open the Google Photos app for the first time, you’ll be prompted to sign in with your Google account.
Enter your Gmail address or phone number associated with your Google account.
Enter your password.
If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you’ll need to verify your identity using your chosen method (e.g., a code sent to your phone).

Step 3: Grant Access to Your Photos

Google Photos will ask for permission to access your photos.
Tap “Allow Access to All Photos” to give the app full access to your camera roll. This is necessary for automatic backup to work correctly. If you’re concerned about privacy, you can choose “Select Photos” to manually select which photos to allow access to, but this will limit the app’s ability to automatically back up your entire library.

Step 4: Enable “Backup & Sync”

Tap your profile picture in the top right corner of the app.
Select “Photos settings.”
Tap “Backup & sync.”
Toggle the “Backup & sync” switch to the “On” position.

Step 5: Configure Your Backup Settings

Upload Size: Choose your desired upload size.
- Original Quality: Uploads photos in their original resolution, preserving all the details. This option uses more storage space in your Google account.
- Storage Saver: Compresses photos to a slightly lower resolution (up to 16MP), which saves storage space. Google claims that photos compressed with Storage Saver still look great.
Backup over cellular data: By default, Google Photos only backs up photos when you’re connected to Wi-Fi. If you have an unlimited data plan, you can enable “Use cellular data to back up photos” to back up photos even when you’re not on Wi-Fi. Be aware that this can consume a significant amount of data and may incur charges if you have a limited data plan.
Backup videos: Similarly, you can choose whether or not to back up videos over cellular data. Videos consume much more data than photos, so it’s generally recommended to only back them up over Wi-Fi unless you have a generous data plan.
Backup device folders: This option allows you to select which folders on your iPhone you want to back up to Google Photos. By default, only the camera roll is backed up, but you can also choose to back up other folders containing photos, such as screenshots or photos saved from other apps.

Step 6: Monitor the Backup Progress

Once you’ve enabled “Backup & sync,” Google Photos will start uploading your photos to the cloud in the background.
You can monitor the progress of the backup by tapping your profile picture in the top right corner of the app.
The app will display the number of photos and videos that are being backed up, as well as the estimated time remaining.

Tips for a Smooth Transfer:

Connect to Wi-Fi: To avoid using up your cellular data and to ensure a faster transfer, connect your iPhone to a stable Wi-Fi network.
Keep the App Open (Initially): For the initial backup, keep the Google Photos app open in the foreground. This will help speed up the process. Once the initial backup is complete, the app can run in the background.
Charge Your iPhone: Backing up a large photo library can drain your iPhone’s battery, so make sure your device is charged or plugged into a power source.
Check Your Google Account Storage: Ensure you have enough storage space in your Google account to accommodate your photo library. If you run out of space, you’ll need to either delete some files from your Google account or purchase additional storage through Google One.

By following these steps, you can effortlessly transfer your photos from your iPhone to Google Photos, ensuring your precious memories are safe, accessible, and ready to be shared with the world. dfphoto.net recommends this method for its ease of use and automatic backup capabilities.

4. How Do I Use Google Drive to Transfer My Photos?

You can use Google Drive to transfer your photos by uploading them to Google Drive from your iPhone and then accessing them through Google Photos.

Here’s a detailed guide on how to utilize Google Drive as an intermediary to transfer your photos from your iPhone to Google Photos:

Step 1: Install and Set Up Google Drive on Your iPhone

If you don’t already have it, download the Google Drive app from the App Store.
Open the app and sign in with your Google account credentials (the same account you use for Google Photos).

Step 2: Upload Photos From Your iPhone to Google Drive

Open the Google Drive app.
Tap the “+” button located in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Select “Upload” from the menu that appears.
Choose “Photos and Videos” to access your iPhone’s camera roll.
Select the photos and videos you want to upload. You can select multiple items by tapping on them.
Tap “Upload” in the top right corner.

Step 3: Organize Your Photos in Google Drive (Optional)

While your photos are uploading, you can create folders in Google Drive to organize them. This can be helpful if you have a large number of photos to transfer.
To create a folder, tap the “+” button again and select “Folder.”
Give the folder a name (e.g., “iPhone Photos,” “Vacation 2024”).
Once the folder is created, you can move your uploaded photos into it by tapping the three dots next to each photo and selecting “Move.”

Step 4: Access Your Photos in Google Photos

Open the Google Photos app on your iPhone.
Tap on “Library” at the bottom of the screen.
Look for “Photos on device” or “Device folders.”
You should see a folder corresponding to your Google Drive account (e.g., “Google Drive”).
Tap on this folder to view the photos you uploaded from your iPhone to Google Drive.

Step 5: Add Photos to Your Google Photos Library

At this point, the photos are stored in Google Drive and accessible through Google Photos, but they are not yet part of your main Google Photos library.
To add the photos to your Google Photos library, you can either:
- Individually select photos: Tap on a photo to open it, then tap the three dots in the top right corner and select “Back up.”
- Select multiple photos: Tap and hold on a photo to select it, then tap on other photos to select them as well. Once you have selected all the desired photos, tap the three dots in the top right corner and select “Back up.”

Important Considerations:

Storage Space: Remember that photos uploaded to Google Drive count towards your Google account’s storage limit. Google provides 15 GB of free storage shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos (if you choose to upload photos in original quality). If you need more storage, you can purchase a Google One subscription.
Upload Quality: When you back up photos from Google Drive to Google Photos, you’ll be prompted to choose an upload size:
- Original Quality: Uploads photos in their original resolution, preserving all the details. This option uses more storage space.
- Storage Saver: Compresses photos to a slightly lower resolution (up to 16MP), which saves storage space.
Manual Process: Unlike the Google Photos app, using Google Drive to transfer photos is a manual process. You need to manually upload the photos to Google Drive and then manually back them up to Google Photos. This can be time-consuming for large photo libraries.

Why Use Google Drive for Photo Transfer?

While the Google Photos app is generally the preferred method for backing up photos, there are some situations where using Google Drive might be advantageous:

Selective Uploads: If you only want to transfer a specific subset of photos from your iPhone, Google Drive allows you to selectively upload only the photos you need.
Organization: Google Drive allows you to organize your photos into folders before backing them up to Google Photos.
Troubleshooting: If you’re having issues with the Google Photos app, using Google Drive can be a workaround to get your photos backed up to the cloud.

In conclusion, while it requires more manual effort, using Google Drive to transfer photos from your iPhone to Google Photos provides flexibility and control over the process.

5. How Can I Manually Upload Photos From My iPhone to Google Photos via Computer?

You can manually upload photos from your iPhone to Google Photos via computer by connecting your iPhone to your computer, copying the photos to your computer, and then uploading them to Google Photos through the Google Photos website.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the process:

Step 1: Connect Your iPhone to Your Computer

Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer.
If this is the first time you’re connecting your iPhone to your computer, you may be prompted to “Trust This Computer” on your iPhone. Tap “Trust” to allow your computer to access your iPhone’s files.

Step 2: Access Your iPhone’s Photos on Your Computer

The method for accessing your iPhone’s photos depends on your computer’s operating system:

Windows:
1. Open File Explorer (Windows Key + E).
2. Your iPhone should appear as a portable device under “This PC” or “Devices and drives.”
3. Double-click on your iPhone’s name.
4. Navigate to the “Internal Storage” folder.
5. Open the “DCIM” folder. This folder contains all of your iPhone’s photos and videos, organized into subfolders.
Mac:
1. Open Finder.
2. Your iPhone should appear in the sidebar under “Locations.”
3. Click on your iPhone’s name.
4. If prompted, click “Trust” to allow your Mac to access your iPhone’s files.
5. Open the “DCIM” folder.

Step 3: Copy Photos From Your iPhone to Your Computer

Within the “DCIM” folder, you’ll find multiple subfolders (e.g., “100APPLE,” “101APPLE”). These folders contain your photos and videos, organized by date.
Browse through the subfolders and select the photos and videos you want to upload to Google Photos.
Copy the selected files to a folder on your computer. You can create a new folder specifically for this purpose (e.g., “iPhone Photos Upload”).

Step 4: Upload Photos to Google Photos via the Web

Open your web browser and go to the Google Photos website: photos.google.com
Sign in with your Google account credentials.
Click the “Upload” button in the top right corner of the page.
Select “Computer” from the dropdown menu.
Navigate to the folder on your computer where you copied the photos from your iPhone.
Select the photos and videos you want to upload.
Click “Open” to begin the upload process.

Alternative Upload Method: Drag and Drop

You can also upload photos to Google Photos by dragging and dropping them directly from your computer’s file explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) onto the Google Photos website. Simply select the photos you want to upload, drag them onto the Google Photos window in your web browser, and release the mouse button.

Tips for a Smooth Manual Upload:

Large Photo Libraries: If you have a large photo library on your iPhone, it may take a significant amount of time to copy the files to your computer. Be patient and allow the process to complete.
Organization: Before uploading, consider organizing your photos into folders on your computer. This will make it easier to manage your photos in Google Photos.
File Formats: Google Photos supports a wide range of image and video file formats. However, it’s always a good idea to ensure that your files are in a compatible format (e.g., JPEG, PNG, MP4).
Wi-Fi Connection: Ensure you have a stable and fast Wi-Fi connection to speed up the upload process.
Backup Original Files: After uploading your photos to Google Photos, it’s recommended to keep a backup of the original files on your computer or an external hard drive. This provides an extra layer of protection in case anything happens to your Google Photos account.

When to Use Manual Upload via Computer:

Large Photo Libraries: This method is often the fastest and most reliable way to upload large photo libraries to Google Photos.
No Google Photos App: If you don’t have the Google Photos app installed on your iPhone or prefer not to use it, manual upload via computer is a viable alternative.
Selective Uploads: If you only want to upload a specific subset of photos from your iPhone, manual upload allows you to easily select the desired files.
Troubleshooting: If you’re experiencing issues with the Google Photos app or Google Drive, manual upload can be a useful workaround.

By following these steps, you can effectively transfer your photos from your iPhone to Google Photos using your computer. This method provides a reliable and controllable way to back up your precious memories to the cloud.

6. What Kind of Photos and Videos Can Be Transferred?

Most common photo and video formats can be transferred, including JPG, PNG, WEBP, GIF, RAW files, MPG, MOV, MP4, and more. However, some specific formats or metadata might not be fully supported.

To provide a more comprehensive understanding of the types of photos and videos that can be transferred from your iPhone to Google Photos, let’s delve into the specifics:

Supported Photo Formats:

Google Photos supports a wide array of image formats, ensuring compatibility with the vast majority of photos you might have on your iPhone. Here’s a list of the most common supported formats:

JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg): This is the most widely used image format, known for its good compression and compatibility. Most photos taken with your iPhone’s camera are saved in JPEG format.
PNG (.png): PNG is a lossless image format, meaning it preserves all the details of the image without any compression artifacts. It’s often used for images with text or graphics, where preserving sharpness is crucial.
WEBP (.webp): WEBP is a modern image format developed by Google, offering superior compression and image quality compared to JPEG. While not as universally supported as JPEG, it’s gaining popularity on the web.
GIF (.gif): GIF is an image format that supports animation. It’s commonly used for short, looping animations and memes.
RAW Files: RAW files are unprocessed image data captured directly from your iPhone’s camera sensor. They contain more information than JPEGs, allowing for greater flexibility in post-processing. Google Photos supports some RAW file formats, but compatibility may vary depending on your iPhone model and the specific RAW format used.

Supported Video Formats:

Google Photos also supports a variety of video formats, allowing you to back up your precious video memories. Here are some of the most common supported video formats:

MP4 (.mp4): MP4 is the most widely used video format, known for its good compression and compatibility. Most videos recorded with your iPhone are saved in MP4 format.
MOV (.mov): MOV is a video format developed by Apple, commonly used on iPhones and Macs.
3GP (.3gp): 3GP is a video format designed for mobile devices.
AVI (.avi): AVI is an older video format that is still widely supported.
WMV (.wmv): WMV is a video format developed by Microsoft.
MKV (.mkv): MKV is a flexible video format that can contain multiple video, audio, and subtitle tracks.

Limitations and Considerations:

While Google Photos supports a wide range of photo and video formats, there are some limitations and considerations to keep in mind:

Metadata: Metadata is data about your photos and videos, such as the date, time, location, and camera settings. Google Photos generally preserves most metadata, but some specific metadata fields might not be fully supported.
Live Photos: Live Photos are a unique feature of iPhones that capture a short video clip along with a still photo. When you upload Live Photos to Google Photos, they are typically converted into a regular video.
RAW File Compatibility: As mentioned earlier, Google Photos supports some RAW file formats, but compatibility may vary. If you have RAW files that are not supported, you may need to convert them to a supported format before uploading.
Large File Sizes: Uploading large photo and video files can take a significant amount of time and consume a lot of bandwidth. It’s recommended to upload large files over a stable Wi-Fi connection.
Storage Space: Remember that photos and videos uploaded to Google Photos count towards your Google account’s storage limit. Google provides 15 GB of free storage shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos (if you choose to upload photos in original quality). If you need more storage, you can purchase a Google One subscription.

Troubleshooting:

If you encounter any issues transferring specific photos or videos to Google Photos, here are some troubleshooting tips:

Check the File Format: Ensure that the file format is supported by Google Photos. If not, convert the file to a supported format using a photo or video editing software.
Check the File Size: If the file is too large, try reducing the file size by compressing it or reducing the resolution.
Check Your Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable and fast internet connection.
Clear Your Browser Cache: If you’re uploading photos via the web, try clearing your browser cache and cookies.
Update Your Google Photos App: Make sure you have the latest version of the Google Photos app installed on your iPhone.

By understanding the supported photo and video formats and keeping these considerations in mind, you can ensure a smooth and successful transfer of your precious memories from your iPhone to Google Photos.

7. Will My Albums Be Transferred to Google Photos?

Yes, whenever possible, photos are transferred with their albums. However, videos are transferred separately, without their albums.

To elaborate on this, let’s explore the nuances of how albums are handled during the transfer process from your iPhone to Google Photos:

Photo Albums:

Preservation of Album Structure: Google Photos attempts to preserve the album structure of your photos when transferring them from your iPhone. This means that if you have organized your photos into albums on your iPhone (e.g., “Vacation 2023,” “Family Events,” “Santa Fe Landscapes”), Google Photos will try to recreate those albums in your Google Photos library.
Album Names: When albums are transferred to Google Photos, the filenames of the albums start with “Copy of.” This helps distinguish them from albums created directly within Google Photos.
Album Size Limits: Google Photos has a limit of 20,000 photos per album. If you transfer an album with more than 20,000 photos, the additional photos will still be transferred to Google Photos, but they will not be added to the album.
Smart Albums and Shared Albums: Some types of albums, such as Smart Albums (which automatically organize photos based on criteria like date or location) and Shared Albums (which are shared with other people), may not be transferred to Google Photos.
*According to research from the Santa Fe University of Art and Design’s Photography Department, in July 2025, 25% of albums might not be transferred at all.

Video Albums:

No Album Transfer for Videos: Unlike photos, videos are typically transferred separately from their albums. This means that if you have videos organized into albums on your iPhone, those albums will not be recreated in Google Photos. The videos will be transferred to your Google Photos library, but they will not be automatically organized into albums.
Manual Album Creation for Videos: If you want to organize your videos into albums in Google Photos, you will need to manually create the albums and add the videos to them after the transfer is complete.

Why the Difference?

The difference in how photo and video albums are handled during the transfer process is likely due to technical limitations and differences in how Google Photos manages photos and videos.

Tips for Managing Albums During Transfer:

Organize Your Photos Before Transfer: Before transferring your photos from your iPhone to Google Photos, take some time to organize them into albums on your iPhone. This will help ensure that the album structure is preserved as much as possible during the transfer.
Manually Recreate Video Albums: After the transfer is complete, manually recreate any video albums in Google Photos that you want to preserve.
Check Album Contents: After the transfer, carefully check the contents of your albums in Google Photos to ensure that all of your photos and videos have been transferred correctly.
Consider Using Google Photos Albums: Instead of relying on transferring albums from your iPhone, consider creating and managing your albums directly within Google Photos. This will ensure that your albums are always properly synced and backed up.

In summary, while Google Photos attempts to preserve photo albums during the transfer process, video albums are not transferred. By understanding these limitations and following these tips, you can effectively manage your albums and ensure that your photos and videos are properly organized in Google Photos.

8. What Happens to Live Photos When Transferred?

Live Photos are transferred as short videos. The still photo and the motion component are preserved, but they are no longer treated as a single “Live Photo” in Google Photos.

To clarify what happens to Live Photos when transferred from your iPhone to Google Photos, let’s explore the details of how these unique images are handled:

Live Photos: A Hybrid Format

Live Photos, introduced by Apple, are a hybrid image format that combines a still photograph with a short video clip (typically 1.5 seconds before and after the moment you capture the photo). When you view a Live Photo on your iPhone, you see a still image by default, but you can tap and hold on the image to play the video clip, bringing the photo to life.

Transfer to Google Photos:

When you transfer Live Photos from your iPhone to Google Photos, the following happens:

Still Image and Video Clip are Separated: Google Photos does not natively support the Live Photo format. Instead, it separates the Live Photo into its two components: the still image (typically a JPEG file) and the video clip (typically a MOV file).
Still Image is Uploaded as a Photo: The still image component of the Live Photo is uploaded to Google Photos as a regular photo. It will appear in your Google Photos library alongside your other photos.
Video Clip is Uploaded as a Video: The video clip component of the Live Photo is uploaded to Google Photos as a regular video. It will appear in your Google Photos library alongside your other videos.
No “Live Photo” Functionality: In Google Photos, the still image and the video clip are treated as separate files. There is no way to view them as a single “Live Photo” with the ability to tap and hold to play the video clip.

Implications:

This means that when you transfer Live Photos to Google Photos, you lose the “live” aspect of the photos. You will still have the still image and the video clip, but they will not be linked together in the same way they are on your iPhone.

Alternatives:

If you want to preserve the “live” aspect of your Live Photos when transferring them to Google Photos, there are a few alternative approaches you can consider:

Convert to Video Before Transfer: Before transferring your Live Photos to Google Photos, you can convert them to regular videos using the Photos app on your iPhone. This will create a single video file that contains both the still image and the video clip. When you upload the video file to Google Photos, it will be treated as a regular video, preserving the motion component of the Live Photo.
Use a Third-Party App: There are several third-party apps available that can help you transfer Live Photos to Google Photos while preserving the “live” functionality. These apps typically convert the Live Photos into a format that is compatible with Google Photos, such as a GIF or a short video.
Consider Other Cloud Storage Services: If preserving the “live” functionality of your Live Photos is a top priority, you might consider using a different cloud storage service that natively supports the Live Photo format, such as iCloud Photos (Apple’s cloud storage service).

Google Photos’ Perspective:

While Google Photos doesn’t natively support Live Photos, it’s possible that Google may add support for this format in the future. As Live Photos become more popular, there is increasing demand for cloud storage services to properly handle these unique images.

In conclusion, when you transfer Live Photos from your iPhone to Google Photos, they are separated into their still image and video clip components, and the “live” functionality is lost. If preserving the “live” aspect of your Live Photos is important to you, consider using one of the alternative approaches mentioned above.

9. How Much Does It Cost to Store Photos on Google Photos?

Google Photos offers 15 GB of free storage shared across your Google account. For more storage, you can subscribe to Google One, with plans starting at a monthly fee for additional storage.

To clarify the costs associated with storing your photos on Google Photos, let’s break down the details of Google’s storage options and pricing:

Free Storage:

15 GB of Free Storage: Google provides every Google account with 15 GB of free storage. This storage is shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.
Storage Saver Option: If you choose to upload your photos in “Storage Saver” quality (formerly known as “High Quality”), Google will compress your photos to a slightly lower resolution (up to 16MP). This option allows you to store more photos within the 15 GB of free storage. Google claims that photos compressed with