Podcast Summary: Hands-On Tech 250 – Syncing Cloud Photos

Host: Micah Sargent
Date: January 18, 2026
Episode Theme:
How to sync and manage photo libraries across iCloud Photos and Google Photos, exploring practical solutions, limitations, and listener feedback.

Episode Overview

Micah Sargent answers a listener’s question on whether it’s possible to sync photos between Apple’s iCloud Photos and Google Photos. He explores practical methods, discusses the underlying challenges of true synchronization between these giant ecosystems, and shares recommended tools and personal strategies. The episode also features listener responses to a previous question about which discontinued Apple devices should make a comeback.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Challenge of True Photo Library Sync

• Listener Question (George):
  “I have photos stored both in iCloud and in Google Photos. Is there a way to sync the two libraries together?” (02:29)

• Micah’s Explanation:

  • Data portability laws force companies to allow users to move their data out, but there’s no incentive for them to provide full, live cross-platform sync:

    “As much as these companies are required ... to provide the ability for you to take your data from them and move it to another place, they aren't incentivized to work well with each other ... that you can kind of use them both interchangeably ... this is a pretty common challenge.” (02:57)

  • Key scenarios: switching between Android and iOS, families using different ecosystems.

2. The Simple Solution: Device-as-Bridge Sync (iPhone or iPad)

• How it Works:
  • Enable iCloud Photos on iPhone or iPad.
  • Install Google Photos, enable “Backup and Sync.”
  • With newer iOS versions, Google Photos can sync in the background more reliably.

    “With the latest version of iOS, Apple has now provided photo library apps ... to be able to sync photos in the background in a new way ... before you had to keep Google Photos app open.” (05:00)

• Limitation:
  • This approach uploads photos to both services, but doesn’t provide true two-way sync—deletions, edits, organization don’t propagate both ways.

    “It's not quite the sync that I think you're after… If you delete a photo in iCloud Photos, that's not going to then sync over to the Google Photos app and delete it there as well.” (07:09)

3. More Comprehensive Solution: Third-Party Tools

• PhotoSync (8:43):

  • Available for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux.
  • Transfers photos—bulk library moves, preserves metadata, works with many cloud services.
  • Paid app, ~$4–$6 one-time purchase for Pro.

    “Photosync ... will transfer photos between iCloud, between Google Photos, and other cloud services ... does a great job of preserving the metadata across services.” (09:30)

• Mylio (10:56):

  • Central “hub” that manages photos across iCloud, Google Photos, local/network storage.
  • Free tier available, paid for advanced features/syncing among multiple cloud sources.

    “It is again this central kind of hub ... keeps them organized, keeps them synced ... there is a free tier, but ... advanced features ... are going to cost.” (11:16)

• Caveats:

  • No live, automatic, two-way sync exists between iCloud Photos and Google Photos.
  • At some point, users must choose a primary and possibly a backup system.

    “There’s no tool currently that provides live automatic two way sync between iCloud and Google Photos ... They don’t want you to do that.” (13:00) “It’s very much a Pokémon situation ... you almost just need to choose which one you want to go with.” (13:17)

4. Micah’s Personal Strategy

• Uses Apple Photos as the “true” photo library.
• Google Photos as an off-site/tertiary backup (“... and there’s also something to be said for Google Photos search functionality ...” [15:07])
• “Just get all of your photos into one, either through the method ... between iPhone and iPad, or ... Photosync or Mylio.” [15:52]

5. Listener Feedback: Dream Apple Devices to Bring Back

[19:48] Responses to “What Apple device should make a comeback?”

• Sandra:

  • Wants a new Apple Router (Airport).
  • Wishes for Apple-branded security cameras (emphasizes privacy and optical quality).

    “Totes agree, would love a new Apple router. Second wish is ... security cameras, including wireless options. I would definitely be on board with an Apple branded security camera because you know it's going to have great optics ... and that it's going to be privacy protecting.” (20:40)

• Rich:

  • Wants an updated Newton, with modern hardware but classic form factor.

    “I would love to see an updated Newton with all the modern conveniences but the old 2100 form factor. ... Not as magical as what Newton had ... current Newton offerings are too limited ... Either having Apple create a modern version or releasing the source code publicly could move this forward.” (22:12)

• Live chat mention (Wadfan):

  • Wishes the Time Capsule (router + backup drive) would return.

    “I would love Time Capsule to make its return ... it was a router, it was like an Apple Airport, but it was also a little hard drive ... so it was a time machine backup that was just connected to your router.” (23:17)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the lack of true sync:

  “There’s no tool currently that provides live automatic two way sync between iCloud and Google Photos ... They don’t want you to do that. That’s not the point of these services. They want you to go, I choose you. I choose ... It’s very much a Pokémon situation.” — Micah Sargent (13:00)

• On finding an approach:

  “Start with using the iPhone or the iPad as a bridge and see if that’s enough for you before you start to get into the more complex solution ... Because the big caveat here is that there’s no tool currently that provides live automatic two way sync ...” — Micah Sargent (12:31)

• On favorite Apple devices to bring back:

  “I would definitely be on board with an Apple branded security camera because you know it’s going to have great optics ... two things that I can—oh, it’ll look good—three things that I can definitely say about it.” — Sandra (21:03, via listener email)

• On the Newton nostalgia:

  “Either having Apple create a modern version or releasing the source code publicly could move this forward.” — Rich (22:47, via listener email)

Important Timestamps

• 02:29 — Listener question: how to sync iCloud and Google Photos.
• 05:00 — Using iPhone/iPad as a bridge, Google Photos app background sync explanation.
• 07:09 — Sync is not two-way; limitations explained.
• 09:30 — PhotoSync app recommendation and feature rundown.
• 10:56 — Mylio as a cloud-agnostic photo library hub.
• 13:00 — No true live sync exists; users must choose a primary service.
• 15:07 — Micah on using Apple Photos as primary, Google as backup/search tool.
• 19:48 — Listener feedback: Apple router and security camera wishes.
• 22:12 — Listener feedback: updated Newton dream.
• 23:17 — Time Capsule nostalgia.

Final Thoughts

Micah provides clear, actionable strategies for managing photos across Apple and Google ecosystems, highlights useful third-party tools, and gives a candid assessment: perfect two-way sync across services isn’t possible due to platform lock-in. He encourages listeners to pick a main photos service while optionally using others as backups. The feedback segment offers a nostalgic and fun look at Apple products the community wishes would return.

Listener call to action:
Send follow-up questions, feedback, or fun tech discoveries to the show (hotel at TWiT TV).