But when I delete a photo from iPhotos it does not delete the copy that has been synced to Google. for a time in an effort to determine where your problem originated.įYI, when I delete a photo from Google Photos it is also deleted from (let’s call it) iPhotos. If you follow Kennon’s procedure I suggest, after you have your library deduplicated, you document any edits, deletes, etc. I see no problem with the procedure suggested by I’ve never used a Mac to sync my photos to Google, but I agree that it is probably best to sync from only one device. I use my iPad to sync, but previously used my iPhone. I’ve been using both Apple Photos and Google Photos for several years and haven’t had the duplication problem you describe. It works the best across iOS and macOS, and I backup to Backblaze and a local computer, so my photos are relatively safe. I’ve given up trying to use multiple photo services and just accepted iCloud. That said, it’s a tedious process keeping multiple systems in sync. This should get you back to a good starting point, and then should allow you to run them simultaneously without them interfering with their counterparts. Install Google Sync software and turn on syncing with Photos on the Mac-only.Remove all photos currently in Google Photos.After it finishes and you feel confident in the duplication status of your iCloud photos.Once fully downloaded, run a photo de-dupe app like Gemini.Set iCloud Photos to “Download all originals”.I’m not sure if that’s truly what’s happening, but I had a lot of issues when trying to sync through both iCloud Photos and other services.ĭo you have access to a macOS machine that can download all iCloud photos locally? If so, I would: Or vice versa, if the full resolution image uploads to Google Photos, and then perhaps you run an edit in Google Photos and it downloads back to Photos, then iCloud thinks it’s a new photo and uploads it. I believe the issue is that iCloud doesn’t always store the photos on device, so a thumbnail can get uploaded to the sync service, and then if the full resolution downloads then it thinks it’s a new image.

I’ve run into similar issues with other photo syncing services when iCloud is being used. I could be wrong, but I don’t think you can use Google Photos with iPhone alongside iCloud Photos.

Google photos find duplicates