Google Photos offers seamless photo and video storage and management, but how do you actually save your pictures? This guide outlines various methods for downloading your precious memories from Google Photos to your computer, phone, or other devices.
Downloading Individual Photos from Google Photos
Saving single photos from Google Photos is straightforward:
- Open Google Photos: Access Google Photos on your computer or through the mobile app.
- Select the Photo: Click on the photo you wish to download.
- Download the Photo: Click the three vertical dots (More options) icon in the top right corner. Select “Download.” On mobile, this icon might be located at the bottom of the screen.
Downloading Multiple Photos from Google Photos
You can also download multiple photos simultaneously:
- Open Google Photos: Access Google Photos.
- Select Photos: Check the box in the top left corner of each photo you want to download.
- Download: Click the three vertical dots (More options) icon and select “Download.”
Downloading All Photos with Google Takeout
For a complete backup of your entire Google Photos library, use Google Takeout:
- Go to Google Takeout: Visit takeout.google.com.
- Deselect All: Click “Deselect all.”
- Select Google Photos: Scroll down and check the box next to “Google Photos.” You can choose specific albums to download or select “All photo albums included” for a complete backup.
- Choose Export Options: Click “Next step” and select your preferred file type (zip or tgz), archive size (1GB to 50GB), and delivery method (email, Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or Box).
- Create Export: Click “Create export.” Google will then prepare your archive. This process can take hours or even days depending on the size of your photo library. You will receive an email notification when the export is complete.
- Download Your Archive: Click the download link in the email to save your photos.
Saving Photos to Your Device’s Storage
Downloaded photos are saved to your device’s default download location. This is usually the “Downloads” folder on computers and the “Downloads” app on mobile devices.
Important Considerations
- Storage Space: Ensure you have sufficient storage space on your device or external hard drive before downloading large quantities of photos.
- Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is crucial, especially when downloading large archives via Google Takeout.
- Original Quality: Remember that downloading photos in their original quality will consume more storage space than downloading compressed versions. You can adjust download quality settings in Google Takeout.
Downloading your photos from Google Photos provides an extra layer of security and allows you to access them offline. Choose the method that best suits your needs and enjoy your picture collection!
