Google Photos vs iCloud: which is better for backing up your photos?

Your photos are probably the one thing on your phone you could never replace, so where you back them up matters. Google Photos and iCloud both do it automatically, and both can free up space on your phone. They differ in free storage, in how well they work across devices and in how they handle sharing and privacy. This guide compares them on the points that decide the choice, then gives a short answer by phone type and a safe way to switch.

Google Photos vs iCloud at a glance

• Free storage: iCloud gives 5 GB, shared with backups and files. Google gives 15 GB, shared with Gmail and Drive.
• Works on: iCloud Photos is built into iPhone, iPad and Mac, with a Windows app and a website. Google Photos works on iPhone, Android, the web and computers.
• Best for: iCloud suits people who use only Apple devices. Google Photos suits mixed devices and those who like its search.
• Sync style: iCloud mirrors your library across devices, so a deletion on one removes it from all. Google Photos backs up and keeps a cloud copy, and has its own delete rules.
• Search and editing: Google Photos is known for searching by people, places and things. iCloud has similar search in the Photos app on Apple devices.

Cost and free storage

Neither is really free once you have a few years of photos. iCloud's 5 GB fills quickly because it also holds device backups. Google's 15 GB is shared across your email, Drive files and Photos, so a busy inbox shrinks what is left. Both sell monthly plans, with Apple's iCloud+ and Google One offering several sizes, and the prices change with time and country. Compare the same sizes on each service's plan page before you decide. If a family shares a plan, check how many people can use it, since both let you share bigger plans with family members.

If you are an Apple user and want to know what size to pay for, see how much iCloud storage you need.

Photo quality and originals

iCloud Photos stores your original photos and videos at full quality, and your iPhone can keep smaller versions on the phone to save space. Google Photos lets you choose between Original quality and a Storage saver option that compresses photos and videos to save space. Storage saver is fine for casual photos but it changes the files, so choose Original quality for pictures you may print or edit. Check the setting in the Google Photos app under your profile picture, Photos settings, Backup.

Sharing and family features

• iCloud: Shared Albums and the Shared Photo Library let a family share pictures inside the Photos app. Recipients on Android can view a link in a browser.
• Google Photos: Shared albums, partner sharing and links work with anyone who has a Google Account or a browser. It is easier across Android and iPhone.
• Printing and memories: both offer automatic highlights and photo books, with Google often more ready to suggest edits.

Privacy and security

Both services encrypt your photos in transit and while stored, and both let you protect your account with two-factor authentication. Apple offers Advanced Data Protection, which adds end-to-end encryption for iCloud Photos if you turn it on, and then Apple cannot read your photos, though you are responsible for recovery. Google can scan content on its servers for features such as search and for abuse prevention. The practical risk for most people is not the service but a stolen password, so turn on two-step verification. See how to set up two-factor authentication.

Which should you choose?

Using both without filling both

How to switch from iCloud to Google Photos

Problems with backup

If photos stop uploading, the fixes depend on the service. For Google, see what to do when Google Photos is not backing up. For Apple, see what to do when iCloud Photos is not syncing. The most common causes are full storage, a weak connection, Low Power Mode or Battery Saver, and a signed-out account.