# Paying for iCloud and Google One? Pick one without losing photos

> Paying for both iCloud and Google One? Decide by your devices and family, move your library with Apple's or Google's own transfer, then clear the duplicates.

Updated November 8, 2026 · https://doppelgone.app/guides/icloud-or-google-photos-pick-one

You don't need both. Pick the service that fits the devices your family actually uses, move your library across with Apple's or Google's own transfer service, check it arrived, and only then stop paying for the other one. Both services copy your photos and leave the originals in place, so nothing is lost by moving. The transfer can leave you with duplicates, and clearing those is the last step.

## Step 1: Decide which one to keep

There is no right answer, only a fit. Three questions decide it.

1. **Which phones does your household use?** iCloud Photos is built into iPhone, iPad and Mac. Google Photos runs on Android and on iPhone, and in any browser at photos.google.com. If everyone has an iPhone, iCloud is the natural fit. If the family mixes Android and iPhone, Google Photos works on both.
2. **Who shares the plan?** Apple says paid iCloud+ plans can be shared with up to five other family members. Google's Google One page says storage on Basic and higher plans can be shared with up to five other people, with each member keeping their own private space.
3. **What else sits in the same storage?** Google's free storage (up to 15 GB; 5 GB for accounts created since 9 March 2026 until a phone number is verified) is shared across Gmail, Drive and Google Photos. iCloud's free 5 GB is a separate pool. If most of your use is email and documents, that matters as much as photos.

If you can't decide, a useful test is where you actually look at your photos each day.

## What each plan costs

Prices change, so check the page before you commit.

Apple lists these iCloud+ prices for the US, monthly, on its support page, dated 16 September 2026 (checked 8 Nov 2026):

| iCloud+ plan | Per month (US) |
|---|---|
| 50 GB | $0.99 |
| 200 GB | $2.99 |
| 2 TB | $9.99 |
| 6 TB | $29.99 |
| 12 TB | $59.99 |

Apple adds that every account gets 5 GB free, and that residents of some US states have tax added.

Google's own plan pages showed prices in another currency when we checked on 8 Nov 2026, so this page quotes no Google dollar price. Google lists Basic at 100 GB, Standard at 200 GB and higher tiers, and says every account includes up to 15 GB for free. Check the current price on [one.google.com](https://one.google.com/about/plans) before you compare.

## Step 2: Move the library with the official transfer

Don't download and re-upload thousands of files by hand. Both companies offer a direct service.

### From iCloud Photos to Google Photos

Apple's support page says to sign in at privacy.apple.com, choose to request a transfer of a copy of your data, and then sign in to your Google account.

- You need photos in iCloud Photos, two-factor authentication on your Apple Account, and a Google account with enough free storage.
- Advanced Data Protection for iCloud must be off.
- Most transfers take 3 to 7 days, and some can take up to 30.
- Apple says the transfer sends a copy. It doesn't remove or change what is stored with Apple.
- Shared albums, Smart Albums and Live Photos aren't transferred, and some RAW files may not be.

### From Google Photos to iCloud Photos

Apple's support page says to use Google Takeout, choose Apple - iCloud Photos as the destination, sign in to your Apple Account and allow access.

- Turn on iCloud Photos and iCloud Drive first, and have enough iCloud storage.
- It isn't available while Advanced Data Protection is on.
- It can take several hours to a few days.
- Your photos stay in Google Photos.
- Live Photos, Motion Photos and Memories aren't included. Files iCloud Photos can't accept, such as RAW files, go to iCloud Drive.

## Step 3: Check before you cancel

1. Wait for the confirmation email from Apple or Google.
2. Compare photo and video counts in a few years you know well.
3. Open some favourites and old videos.
4. Keep the old plan until you're satisfied, then downgrade it.

If you cancel too soon, some content may no longer be reachable. Google says that going over your quota for two years or more can lead to content being deleted, so don't let the old account drift.

## Step 4: Clear the duplicates the move creates

A move can leave a photo in two forms, such as an original and a "Copy of" version, or the same shot already in both libraries. Google's help page says only one copy of an item that already exists in Google Photos is transferred, but edits and files saved earlier from other routes can still leave lookalikes. Our guide on [iCloud to Google Photos transfer duplicates](https://doppelgone.app/guides/icloud-to-google-photos-transfer-duplicates) covers it. If you're weighing an upgrade first, read [before you upgrade Google One or iCloud](https://doppelgone.app/guides/before-you-upgrade-google-one-or-icloud).

Start with the built-in options: the Duplicates album in Apple Photos and manual review in Google Photos. They find exact copies and don't judge near-identical shots.

Doppelgone finds exact duplicates, similar shots and burst photos, keeps the best shot of each set and says why. You approve every clean-up, and removed photos wait 30 days with one-click Undo. Your photos never leave your device. The Chrome extension works on Google Photos and iCloud Photos, and the Mac app works on the Apple Photos library. Free scans everything and cleans 200 photos. [Pro](https://doppelgone.app/pricing) is one payment of $9.99, no subscription. Videos aren't part of clean-ups. See the [download page](https://doppelgone.app/download).

## Frequently asked questions

### Should I use iCloud or Google Photos?

Choose by your devices and who shares the plan. iCloud Photos is built into Apple devices, while Google Photos also runs on Android and in a browser. Both let you share paid storage with family.

### Can I use both iCloud and Google Photos?

Yes, but you pay for two plans and your photos can exist twice. Most people are better off choosing one and moving the library.

### Does Apple delete my iCloud photos when I transfer to Google Photos?

No. Apple says the transfer sends a copy and doesn't remove or change what you store with Apple. Only the most recent edit of a photo is transferred, not the original version.

### How long does the transfer take?

Apple says most transfers from iCloud to Google Photos take three to seven days, and some up to 30. For Google Photos to iCloud, Apple says several hours to a few days.

### How much is iCloud+ in the US?

Apple lists $0.99 a month for 50 GB, $2.99 for 200 GB and $9.99 for 2 TB in the US on its support page, checked 8 Nov 2026. Apple adds that tax applies in some states.

### Will I lose photos if I cancel my old plan?

Not if the transfer finished and you checked it first. Compare counts, keep the old plan for a while, then downgrade.

## Sources

- Apple, iCloud+ plans and pricing: https://support.apple.com/en-us/108047 (checked 8 Nov 2026)
- Apple, Transfer a copy of your iCloud Photos collection to another service: https://support.apple.com/en-us/118257 (checked 8 Nov 2026)
- Apple, Transfer a copy of your photos and videos to iCloud Photos: https://support.apple.com/en-us/120924 (checked 8 Nov 2026)
- Google Photos Help, Transfer iCloud photos and videos to Google Photos: https://support.google.com/photos/answer/10502587 (checked 8 Nov 2026)
- Google One, Plans: https://one.google.com/about/plans (checked 8 Nov 2026)
- Google One, Storage FAQ: https://one.google.com/faq/storage (checked 8 Nov 2026)
- Google, How your Google storage works: https://support.google.com/googleone/answer/9312312 (checked 8 Nov 2026)

*Google Photos is a trademark of Google LLC; iCloud is a trademark of Apple Inc. Doppelgone is not affiliated with Google or Apple.*

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**Clear the duplicates in Google Photos and iCloud Photos.** Doppelgone finds exact duplicates, similar shots and bursts and keeps the best one. Removed photos wait 30 days, so you can undo. It works on Google Photos and iCloud Photos in Chrome, and as an app for Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android. Your photos never leave your device. https://doppelgone.app/download