To better protect user data, Google Photos officially blocked third-party tools like RiceDrive from accessing and exporting photo content starting March 31. This means users can no longer directly transfer their photos from Google Photos to other cloud services such as OneDrive using these platforms.
So, is there still a way to migrate your Google Photos to OneDrive? Absolutely! While third-party tools are now restricted, Google's official tool—Google Takeout—still allows you to export all your photos and manually upload them to OneDrive. In the following sections, we’ll show you how to use Google Takeout to complete this process safely and for free.
Why Can’t Third-Party Tools Access Google Photos Anymore?
To enhance user privacy and data security, Google disabled third-party access to Google Photos media content. This includes cloud transfer platforms that previously supported direct migration between services. As a result, users must now manually export their photos using Google’s official tools.
What Is Google Takeout?
Google Takeout is a free service from Google that allows users to download their data from all Google services, including Photos, Drive, Contacts, Calendar, and more. It's the only supported method to export all your photos from Google Photos in bulk.
What You Need Before You Start?
- A Google account with your photo library
- A Microsoft OneDrive account
- Stable internet connection
- Enough space on your OneDrive and local device
- A bit of patience—large exports may take time
Method 1: Export All Google Photos as a ZIP File
This method exports your photos as compressed ZIP files which you can then extract into your OneDrive folder manually.
Steps:
- Go to the Google Photos website and sign in with your Google account.
- Click the Settings icon (gear icon).
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Choose Export your data → then click Backup.
- Click Next step and select OneDrive as the destination for your export.
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Click Link accounts and create export.
- Google will prepare your photos and export them into several ZIP files.
- After the export is complete, extract the ZIP files with RiceDrive.
Method 2: Export Without ZIP (Direct to OneDrive)
This method transfers photos directly to your OneDrive account without compressing them into ZIP files.
Steps:
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Follow the same initial steps:
Go to Photos → Settings → Export your data → Backup. -
Click More info and Transferring photos.
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Choose the data you want to copy and click Continue.
- Choose OneDrive as the destination.
- Google will send your photos directly to your OneDrive account.
Important: Exported photos may be mixed with your existing OneDrive Pictures folder, so you might need to organize them afterward.
Final Tips
- Make sure your OneDrive has enough storage space before starting the export.
- Large photo libraries may take hours or even days to export depending on the amount of data.
- Keep an eye on your email for notifications about export progress.
- Always back up your photos locally or on an external drive for extra safety.
Conclusion
Though Google Photos no longer supports third-party exports, using Google Takeout with these two methods allows you to transfer your photo library safely and efficiently to OneDrive in 2025. Choose the method that best suits your preferences for control and convenience.
Ready to simplify your workflow? Visit RiceDrive.com!
