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How to Transfer Photos from Google Photos to Google Drive: A Definitive Guide

So, you’re looking to move your precious memories from Google Photos to Google Drive? Excellent choice! While Google Photos excels at organizing and sharing, Google Drive offers more flexible storage and file management options. The bad news? There isn’t a direct, one-button “transfer” function. However, don’t fret! I’m here to lay out the clearest and most effective methods to get your photos from Google Photos to Google Drive. Let’s dive in!

The most practical way to transfer photos from Google Photos to Google Drive involves downloading the photos from Google Photos and then uploading them to Google Drive. You can accomplish this process in a few different ways depending on the scale of transfer; whether it is a single photo, a specific album, or your entire Google Photos library.

Method 1: Downloading and Uploading Individual Photos or Albums

This method is ideal for smaller transfers, allowing you to be selective about what you move.

Downloading from Google Photos

Open Google Photos: Navigate to photos.google.com in your web browser.
Select Your Photos: Click on the photos or album you want to download. For individual photos, simply open them. For albums, open the desired album.
Download the Selection:
- Single Photo: Click the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner and choose “Download”.
- Album: Click the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner and select “Download all”. Google Photos will typically package the album as a ZIP file.

Uploading to Google Drive

Open Google Drive: Go to drive.google.com and log in.
Choose a Destination: Select the folder in Google Drive where you want to store your photos. If needed, create a new folder for better organization.
Upload the Photos:
- Drag and Drop: Simply drag the downloaded photo(s) or the ZIP file from your computer into the Google Drive window.
- Manual Upload: Click the “+ New” button in the upper-left corner, choose “File upload” (for individual photos) or “Folder upload” (if you unzipped an album into a folder), and select the files from your computer.

Method 2: Using Google Takeout for Bulk Transfers

When you’re dealing with your entire Google Photos library, or a significant portion thereof, Google Takeout is your best friend. It allows you to download your data in bulk.

Initiating a Google Takeout Export

Visit Google Takeout: Go to takeout.google.com.
Deselect All: Initially, all Google services are selected. Click “Deselect all” to start with a clean slate.
Select Google Photos: Scroll down and check the box next to “Google Photos.”
Customize the Export (Important!): Click “All photo albums included.” Here, you can choose to download specific albums or include all of them. This is crucial for managing the size of your download. Click “OK” when you’re done.
Configure Delivery Method: Click “Multiple formats”.
Choose Export Frequency, File Type, and Size:
- Frequency: Select whether you want to export once or schedule regular exports.
- File Type: Choose between “.zip” and “.tgz.” ZIP is generally easier to handle.
- File Size: This is important! Google Takeout will split your data into multiple files if it exceeds the specified size. Choose a size that your computer can handle. A good starting point is 2 GB or 4 GB.
Create Export: Click “Create export.” Google will now process your request. This can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the size of your library. You’ll receive an email when your archive is ready.

Uploading to Google Drive After Takeout

Download the Archive(s): Once the export is complete, you’ll receive an email with download links. Download all the ZIP files to your computer.
Extract the Archives: Extract each ZIP file to a separate folder on your computer.
Upload to Google Drive: As with the individual photo method, you can now drag and drop these folders into Google Drive or use the “+ New” button and “Folder upload” option.

Important Considerations

Storage Space: Ensure you have enough space in your Google Drive to accommodate the transferred photos.
Organization: Plan your folder structure in Google Drive before you start uploading to maintain a tidy library.
Metadata: Google Takeout preserves metadata (dates, locations, descriptions) associated with your photos.
Backup Strategy: Consider this process as part of a broader backup strategy. It’s wise to have your photos in multiple locations.
Internet Connection: A stable and fast internet connection is essential, especially for large uploads.

FAQs: Transferring Photos from Google Photos to Google Drive

Here are some frequently asked questions to address common concerns and provide further clarity:

1. Is there a direct “Move” or “Sync” button between Google Photos and Google Drive?

No, sadly there isn’t. Google intentionally separates these services for specific purposes. Google Photos is focused on photo management and Google Drive is geared toward file storage.

2. Will transferring photos from Google Photos to Google Drive delete them from Google Photos?

No, the process described above involves downloading and uploading, not moving. Your photos will remain in Google Photos unless you manually delete them.

3. What happens to the quality of my photos when I transfer them?

When using Google Takeout or downloading directly, your photos should retain their original quality, unless you had previously chosen the “Storage Saver” option in Google Photos, which compresses images.

4. Can I transfer videos from Google Photos to Google Drive using the same methods?

Yes, the same methods apply to videos as well. Google Takeout will include both photos and videos in your archive.

5. How long does it take to transfer photos using Google Takeout?

The time it takes to prepare your Google Takeout archive depends on the size of your Google Photos library. It can range from a few hours to several days.

6. Is Google Takeout safe to use?

Yes, Google Takeout is a legitimate and secure service provided by Google. However, it’s essential to protect the downloaded archives as they contain your personal data.

7. Can I automate the process of transferring photos regularly?

There is no native, built-in feature to automatically sync Google Photos and Google Drive. However, third-party tools and scripting solutions might exist, but exercise caution when using them and thoroughly vet their security and privacy policies.

8. What if my Google Takeout archive is split into multiple parts?

You’ll need to download all parts of the archive and extract them. Make sure to extract all the files into the same destination folder so all your photos get organized to the same place.

9. Can I use my mobile device (phone or tablet) to transfer photos from Google Photos to Google Drive?

Yes, you can. You can download photos from the Google Photos app and upload them to the Google Drive app. The process is similar to the web version, but the interface might differ slightly.

10. I get an error during Google Takeout. What should I do?

Common errors include network issues or server problems. Try again later. If the issue persists, check the Google Takeout help resources or contact Google support.

11. What are the benefits of having my photos in Google Drive instead of just Google Photos?

Google Drive offers more versatile file management, collaboration features, and integration with other Google services. It also provides more control over your data storage.

12. Is there a size limit for uploading files to Google Drive?

Yes, individual files uploaded to Google Drive have a size limit. For standard Google accounts, this limit is typically several gigabytes, depending on your storage plan. Photos typically don’t reach this limit, but large video files might.

In conclusion, while transferring photos from Google Photos to Google Drive isn’t a one-click affair, it’s a manageable process. By understanding the methods outlined above and considering the best approach for your specific needs, you can successfully back up and organize your memories where they work best for you. Happy transferring!