Need to move your files from iCloud to Google Drive? You're not alone. Many people switch between cloud storage services or use multiple platforms to keep their digital life organized. Whether you're changing your primary cloud service or just want a backup, knowing how to transfer files from iCloud to Google Drive can save you time and frustration.

I've put together this guide to show you exactly how to move your photos, documents, and other important files between these popular cloud services—without spending a penny. Let's dive into the four easiest methods that anyone can use, regardless of technical skill.

Why Transfer Files from iCloud to Google Drive?

Before we get into the how-to steps, let's quickly look at why you might want to move your files:

• More free storage (Google Drive offers 15GB free vs. iCloud's 5GB)
• Better cross-platform compatibility with Android devices
• Different pricing structures for paid plans
• Creating backups across multiple cloud services
• Sharing capabilities with non-Apple users

Method 1: Manual Download and Upload

The most straightforward method is to manually download files from iCloud and then upload them to Google Drive. This works well for smaller file transfers or when you want to be selective about what you move.

Step-by-Step Guide for Manual Transfer

1. Log into iCloud: Visit iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID and password.
2. Select your files: Navigate to the files you want to transfer. You can browse through iCloud Drive, Photos, or other sections.
3. Download the files: Select the files you want to transfer, click the download icon (usually a cloud with a down arrow), and save them to your computer.
4. Log into Google Drive: Open a new browser tab, go to drive.google.com, and sign in with your Google account.
5. Upload to Google Drive: Click the "+ New" button in Google Drive, select "File upload" or "Folder upload" depending on what you're transferring, and select the files you just downloaded from iCloud.
6. Wait for completion: The upload speed will depend on your internet connection and file sizes. Google Drive will show a progress indicator during the upload.

Pros of Manual Transfer:

• Complete control over which files get transferred
• No third-party tools or software required
• Works on any computer with internet access
• You can organize files into specific folders as you upload

Cons of Manual Transfer:

• Time-consuming for large amounts of data
• Requires good internet connection for both download and upload
• You need enough local storage space to temporarily hold the files
• Not practical for transferring thousands of files

Method 2: Using the Google Drive Desktop App

Google's desktop app makes transferring files more efficient, especially for larger transfers. This method is perfect if you have the iCloud Drive folder synced to your computer already.

Setting Up Google Drive Desktop App

1. Download the app: Visit Google Drive's download page and download the app for your operating system (Windows or Mac).
2. Install and sign in: Run the installer and follow the prompts. Sign in with your Google account when prompted.
3. Configure settings: Choose which folders to sync and where to store your Google Drive folder on your computer.

Transferring Files Using the Desktop App

1. Locate your iCloud Drive folder: On Mac, it's typically in Finder's sidebar. On Windows, you'll find it in File Explorer if you have iCloud for Windows installed.
2. Select your files: Browse through your iCloud Drive folder and select the files or folders you want to transfer.
3. Copy the files: Right-click and select “Copy” (or use Ctrl+C / Command+C).
4. Paste into Google Drive: Open your Google Drive folder on your computer, navigate to where you want to store the files, right-click and select “Paste” (or use Ctrl+V / Command+V).
5. Wait for synchronization: The Google Drive app will automatically upload your files to the cloud. You'll see sync status icons next to your files during this process.

Pros of Using the Desktop App:

• Faster than browser-based transfers
• Can handle larger file transfers more reliably
• Allows for drag-and-drop functionality
• Files sync automatically in the background

Cons of Using the Desktop App:

• Requires installing additional software
• Needs enough storage space on your computer for both cloud services
• May use significant bandwidth during large transfers

Method 3: Using the Google Photos App for Photos and Videos

If your main concern is transferring photos and videos from iCloud Photos, Google Photos offers a specialized solution that's efficient and user-friendly.

Setting Up Google Photos

1. Download Google Photos: Install the Google Photos app from the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Sign in: Open the app and sign in with your Google account.
3. Configure backup settings: When prompted, enable backup and sync. You can choose quality options (Storage saver or Original quality).

Transferring Photos from iCloud to Google Photos

1. Enable iCloud Photos: Make sure iCloud Photos is enabled on your device (Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Photos).
2. Open Google Photos: Launch the Google Photos app on your iOS device.
3. Allow access: When prompted, allow Google Photos to access your photo library.
4. Wait for backup: Google Photos will begin backing up your photos and videos to your Google account. This process runs in the background.
5. Monitor progress: You can check the backup progress in the Google Photos app under Library → Utilities → Backup.

Pros of Using Google Photos:

• Designed specifically for photo and video transfer
• Runs in the background on your device
• Maintains photo metadata and organization
• Can free up space on your device after backup

Cons of Using Google Photos:

• Only handles photos and videos, not other file types
• May use significant data if not connected to Wi-Fi
• High-quality uploads may count against your Google storage quota

Method 4: Using the Files App on iOS

For iOS users, the built-in Files app provides a convenient way to transfer files between cloud storage services directly on your iPhone or iPad.

Setting Up Google Drive in Files App

1. Download Google Drive: Install the Google Drive app from the App Store if you haven't already.
2. Open Files app: Launch the Files app on your iOS device.
3. Add Google Drive: Tap “Edit” in the top-right corner of the Browse screen, then toggle on Google Drive. If you don't see Google Drive, tap "More Locations" and sign in to your Google account.

Transferring Files Using the Files App

1. Open Files app: Launch the Files app on your iOS device.
2. Navigate to iCloud Drive: Tap on "iCloud Drive" in the Browse section.
3. Select files to transfer: Browse to locate your files, then tap “Select” in the top-right corner and choose the files you want to transfer.
4. Copy the files: Tap the “Share” icon (square with an arrow) at the bottom of the screen, then select “Copy”.
5. Navigate to Google Drive: Tap “Browse” to go back to the main screen, then select “Google Drive”.
6. Navigate to destination folder: Browse to the folder where you want to place your files.
7. Paste the files: Tap and hold in an empty area, then select “Paste” from the menu that appears.
8. Wait for completion: The files will upload to Google Drive. The time required depends on your internet connection and file sizes.

Pros of Using the Files App:

• No need for a computer
• Uses iOS's native file management system
• Can transfer files directly between cloud services
• Works offline (will sync when connection is restored)

Cons of Using the Files App:

• Less efficient for very large transfers
• Limited file management capabilities compared to desktop
• May be slower than other methods for large files
• Not ideal for transferring thousands of files

Comparison of All Four Methods

Method	Best For	Ease of Use	Speed	File Types
Manual Download/Upload	Small, selective transfers	Easy	Slow	All file types
Google Drive Desktop App	Large transfers, folders	Medium	Fast	All file types
Google Photos App	Photos and videos only	Very Easy	Medium	Photos and videos only
Files App on iOS	On-the-go transfers	Easy	Medium	All file types

Tips for a Successful Transfer

Before You Begin

• Check your storage space: Make sure you have enough free space in Google Drive to accommodate the files you're transferring.
• Sort and organize: Consider organizing your files before transferring to make the process more manageable.
• Use Wi-Fi: Connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network to avoid data charges and ensure faster transfers.
• Charge your devices: For mobile transfers, make sure your device has sufficient battery life or is connected to power.

During the Transfer

• Start with smaller batches: If you have many files, transfer them in smaller batches to reduce the risk of failures.
• Keep apps open: For app-based transfers, avoid closing the apps during the transfer process.
• Check for duplicates: Be aware that transferring files multiple times may create duplicates in your destination.

After the Transfer

• Verify your files: Check that all files transferred correctly and are accessible in Google Drive.
• Organize in Google Drive: Take time to organize your newly transferred files into appropriate folders.
• Consider cleanup: If you're switching services completely, you might want to delete files from iCloud after confirming they're safely in Google Drive.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Slow Transfer Speeds

If your transfers are taking too long:

• Check your internet connection speed
• Try transferring during off-peak hours
• Reduce the batch size of files you're transferring at once
• Close other bandwidth-intensive applications

Failed Uploads

If files fail to upload to Google Drive:

• Check for file size limits (Google Drive has a 5TB per file limit)
• Ensure you have enough storage space in your Google account
• Try uploading again or breaking large files into smaller parts
• Check for special characters in filenames that might cause issues

Missing Files After Transfer

If some files don't appear in Google Drive after transfer:

• Check if the files are still uploading (look for sync indicators)
• Search for the filenames in Google Drive
• Check if files were uploaded to a different folder than expected
• Verify that the files successfully downloaded from iCloud before uploading

Quick Tip to ensure your videos never go missing

Videos are precious memories and all of us never want to lose them to hard disk crashes or missing drives. PicBackMan is the easiest and simplest way to keep your videos safely backed up in one or more online accounts. 

Simply download PicBackMan (it's free!) , register your account, connect to your online store and tell PicBackMan where your videos are - PicBackMan does the rest, automatically. It bulk uploads all videos and keeps looking for new ones and uploads those too. You don't have to ever touch it.

Understanding Storage Limitations

iCloud Storage

• Free tier: 5GB
• Paid tiers: 50GB, 200GB, 2TB
• Family Sharing is available on 200GB and 2TB plans

Google Drive Storage

• Free tier: 15GB (shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos)
• Paid tiers: 100GB, 200GB, 2TB, and higher
• Google One family sharing is available on paid plans

Remember that Google's 15GB free storage is shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos, so your actual available space may be less than 15GB if you're already using these services.

Conclusion

Transferring files from iCloud to Google Drive doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. The four methods we've covered—manual download/upload, using the Google Drive desktop app, using Google Photos for media, and using the iOS Files app—give you options for any situation. Each has its strengths depending on what you're transferring and what devices you have available.

For small transfers or selective files, the manual method works well. For large transfers, the desktop app provides the most reliable experience. Photo enthusiasts will appreciate the streamlined Google Photos approach, while iOS users on the go can leverage the Files app for quick transfers without a computer.

Whichever method you choose, take your time to ensure all your important files transfer correctly. With these steps, you can easily move your digital life between cloud services without spending a penny.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer files directly from iCloud to Google Drive without downloading them first?

Not directly through official methods. You'll need to either download the files to your device first or use the iOS Files app as an intermediary. There are third-party services that claim to do this, but they usually require giving access to your accounts, which poses security risks.

Will transferring photos from iCloud to Google Photos maintain my albums and organization?

Google Photos will import your photos with their original timestamps and location data, but your specific iCloud album organization won't transfer over. You'll need to recreate your albums in Google Photos after the transfer is complete.

How long does it typically take to transfer a large amount of data from iCloud to Google Drive?

Transfer times vary greatly depending on your internet speed, the amount of data, and the method used. As a rough estimate, transferring 10GB of data on a good broadband connection (100Mbps) might take 15-30 minutes for download and another 15-30 minutes for upload. Larger transfers of 100GB+ could take several hours or even days.

If I delete files from iCloud after transferring them to Google Drive, will they be permanently deleted?

Yes, if you delete files from iCloud after the transfer and they're past the Recently Deleted recovery period (typically 30 days), they will be permanently deleted from iCloud. Make sure your files have successfully transferred to Google Drive before deleting them from iCloud.

Can I automate the transfer process between iCloud and Google Drive?

There's no official way to automate transfers between these services. However, you could set up automation tools like Zapier or IFTTT to handle new files going forward, though these won't help with your existing iCloud content. For a one-time full transfer, the methods described in this article are your best options.