You pay iCloud €9.99/month for 200GB? Google One offers the same at €2.99/month, saving €84/year. Here's the clean migration method.
Step 1: precautionary backup
First, make sure your photos are on iCloud OR your Mac (or external drive).
Step 2: install Google Photos on iPhone
- App Store → install Google Photos
- Sign in with your Google account
- Allow automatic backup
- Settings → "Backup quality":
- Original quality (counts against your 15GB free or Google One)
- Storage saver (light compression, basically invisible, unlimited)
Step 3: let it run on Wi-Fi
Default Wi-Fi only. Per library size:
- 1,000 photos: 1-2 hours
- 10,000: 5-10 hours
- 30,000: 1-2 days
Step 4: verification
Go to photos.google.com from your PC. Check all years are present.
Step 5: disable iCloud Photos (optional)
iPhone Settings → Your name → iCloud → Photos → disable "Sync this iPhone" → choose "Download photos" to keep them locally.
The classic trap: quality
Pre-2021, Google Photos offered unlimited "High quality" (compressed). Now everything counts against your quota.
My service in Cluses
Remote €50 cloud migration plan: audit, best service choice, clean migration with sampling verification. Via AnyDesk. Call +33 7 83 44 65 99.