How to Export Your Google Photos or iCloud Library: A Step-by-Step Guide
You’ve decided to take back control of your photos. Maybe you’ve read about data sovereignty, or you’re concerned about the US CLOUD Act and how governments can access your data. Or maybe you simply want your memories stored somewhere designed for privacy, not surveillance. Whatever brought you here - you’re taking the right step.
The good news: migrating your photos is easier than you might think. Whether you’re on Google Photos or iCloud, we have a dedicated migration guide that walks you through every step - from your first export to your last photo landing safely in PixelUnion.
Why Move Your Photos Now?
Your photos aren’t just files - they’re your life. When they’re stored with big tech companies, they become data points in a system designed for advertising, algorithm training, and government compliance. The US CLOUD Act gives US authorities broad power to demand data from any US-based company, regardless of where you live or where the data is hosted.
Europe’s approach is different. Data stored with European providers falls under GDPR protection, and services built here prioritise your privacy by design. Moving now means you get to choose where your memories belong - before a crisis takes that choice away.
Moving from Google Photos
Google makes exporting your library straightforward through their Takeout service. The process has four stages: exporting your photos as a zip file, creating an API key in your PixelUnion account, running the PixelUnion migration portal, and letting us handle the import in the background.
One thing to plan for: large libraries take time. If you have tens of thousands of photos, expect the migration to run for several hours. That’s completely normal - we handle it server-side so you don’t need to keep a browser tab open.
For the complete step-by-step instructions, including screenshots and troubleshooting tips, see our dedicated guide:
Migrate from Google Photos to PixelUnion →
Moving from iCloud
Apple’s iCloud migration involves downloading your photos as a zip from iCloud.com and importing them into PixelUnion. We offer two paths depending on what matters most to you.
The simple import is the quickest route - a few clicks to download and upload. It works well for most people, though some album structures and date metadata may not transfer perfectly.
The recommended method uses Immich Go, a small tool that preserves your original dates, album organisation, and iCloud Memories. It involves running a short command in your terminal, but our guide explains every step clearly regardless of whether you’re on Windows, Mac, or Linux.
For the full walkthrough, see:
Migrate from iCloud to PixelUnion →
A Note on File Formats
It’s worth knowing what you’re working with before you start.
Photos from Google Photos export as standard JPEG and MP4 - universally compatible formats that work everywhere.
Photos from iCloud may include HEIC files (Apple’s modern image format). HEIC offers excellent quality at smaller file sizes, but it’s worth noting before you start. PixelUnion handles HEIC natively, so you don’t need to convert anything - just import as-is.
You’re In Control Now
Exporting your photos might feel like a small action, but it’s a meaningful one. You’re rejecting the idea that your memories should sit in a jurisdiction that can be turned against you with the stroke of an executive order. You’re choosing a service built in Europe, operated by people accountable to GDPR rather than US law.
The process takes a few clicks and some patience. But once your photos are in PixelUnion, you’ll have something that no Big Tech service can offer: genuine peace of mind.
Ready? Start with the guide for your current service:
Or create your PixelUnion account first and explore before you import.