Transferring and backing up your photos using cloud services should be seamless, especially with industry giants like Google and Apple. However, many users face a frustrating issue: trying to upload their iPhone photos to Google Photos but noticing that some images never make it there. Despite being visible on your iPhone, they never appear in Google Photos. So what’s going on? If you’re stuck with this problem, rest assured — you’re not alone, and there is a solution.
TL;DR
The issue usually arises because iCloud stores your photos in the cloud but doesn’t keep the full-resolution versions locally on your device. Google Photos can only upload photos that are stored on your phone, not just preview versions. To fix this, you’ll need to make your iPhone download original photos from iCloud or use a computer to facilitate the upload. Keep reading for a reliable, step-by-step guide that works.
Understanding the Problem: iCloud vs. Google Photos
Apple’s iCloud and Google Photos are both powerful photo storage tools, but they don’t always work well together. Here’s why the problem exists:
- iCloud Photo Library: When enabled, it syncs all your photos across Apple devices, but to save space, it may only store optimized, low-resolution versions locally.
- Google Photos App: It scans your device for photos to upload, but it can’t upload what isn’t actually stored on the phone in full quality.
The consequence? If your iPhone has optimized storage settings turned on, only thumbnails may be available for many images. Google Photos sees those thumbnails, but can’t access or upload the full-resolution files from iCloud without downloading them to the device first.
Signs You’re Facing This Issue
If you’re unsure whether this is your problem, here are some clues:
- You notice that only some photos are uploaded to Google Photos, even though you can view them in your iPhone’s Photos app.
- Older photos or videos are missing from Google Photos uploads.
- You receive errors such as “waiting for Wi-Fi” even when you’re connected to stable internet.
- Photos are greyed out or blurry when you quickly scroll through your gallery — a sign they’re stored in iCloud, not locally.
How to Fix: Step-by-Step Guide
1. Ensure You Have Enough iPhone Storage
Before you can download full-resolution versions of your photos, you need to have enough free space on your device. Go to:
Settings > General > iPhone Storage
If you’re running low, consider temporarily deleting unused apps or clearing data that you can back up elsewhere.
2. Disable ‘Optimize iPhone Storage’
This step is crucial. Go to:
Settings > Photos > iCloud Photos (ON) > Select ‘Download and Keep Originals’
This tells your iPhone to replace the optimized versions with full-resolution files. Be aware that this could take time depending on your internet speed and the number of photos stored in iCloud.
3. Connect to Wi-Fi and Plug Into Power
To download full-res photos efficiently:
- Stay connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network
- Ensure your phone is plugged into a charger
- Leave the Photos app open and the screen on if possible
This process is automatic but may take several hours or even days if you have thousands of photos.
4. Force Google Photos to Re-Sync
Once you have all your original photos stored locally, you may still need to prompt Google Photos to reupload them:
- Open Google Photos app
- Go to your profile icon > Photos settings > Back up & sync
- Toggle the Back up & sync switch off, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on
Google Photos will rescan your device and start uploading the high-resolution versions it can now access.
5. Use Google Photos On Desktop (Alternative Method)
If you prefer not to re-download everything to your phone, there’s an alternative route using iCloud and a PC or Mac. Follow these steps:
- Go to iCloud.com on your computer.
- Log in and access the Photos section.
- Manually select and download your photos to your computer.
- Install and open Google Drive for Desktop (formerly Backup and Sync).
- Set the application to upload those photo folders into Google Photos.
This method bypasses the iPhone altogether and can be faster if you have large volumes of photos stored in iCloud.
Troubleshooting Tips
Use a Stable Wi-Fi Connection
Unstable connections can halt both iCloud downloads and Google Photo uploads. You may want to switch to a stronger network if progress stalls.
Keep Both Apps Updated
Make sure you’ve updated both the Photos app on your iPhone and the Google Photos app from the App Store. Outdated versions could have bugs affecting sync.
Check Your Google Storage Quota
Another reason uploads may fail is if you’ve reached the limit of your Google account’s storage. Visit Google One Storage to check your usage and upgrade your storage plan if needed.
Reboot Your Device
Sometimes a simple restart clears up app-level bugs or memory allocation issues that may be interfering with uploads.
Preventing the Issue in the Future
If you’re planning to use both cloud services long-term, consider the following strategies:
- Use ‘Download and Keep Originals’ setting at all times so Google Photos can always access full-resolution files.
- Regularly back up to Google Photos manually if space is a limiting factor on your phone.
- Consider turning off iCloud Photos if you’re shifting to Google completely, to avoid conflicts.
When All Else Fails
If you’ve tried everything above and still face issues, reach out to:
- Apple Support – If iCloud isn’t downloading images properly
- Google Support – If the Photos app isn’t uploading as expected
Take screenshots and document your steps. This will help tech support better understand your issue and guide you more efficiently.
Conclusion
The conflict between iCloud’s optimized storage and Google Photos’ upload policies can be annoying, but it’s not insurmountable. Resolving it typically involves downloading full-resolution images to your device and ensuring backup settings are properly configured. Whether you choose to tackle the issue directly on your iPhone or with the help of a desktop solution, the steps outlined above should help you get all your memories safely uploaded to your preferred cloud destination.
Remember, both Apple and Google ecosystems are designed for simplicity within their own platforms, but cross-platform integration often needs some manual intervention. Practicing good photo management and knowing how these systems interact can save you both time and precious memories in the long run.
