How to Backup Google Photos to Your Hard Drive

Since Google Drive reduced its free storage for Google Photos from unlimited to 15GB, many users are looking for ways to back up their photos to an external hard drive. Once your photos exceed the 15GB limit, you’ll need to purchase extra storage, which is why many users prefer downloading and transferring Google photos to a hard drive.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best ways to back up your Google Photos manually and using professional tools. Let’s dive into the process.

Why You Should Backup Google Photos to a Hard Drive

Here are a few reasons why it’s beneficial to move your Google Photos to an external hard drive:

• Limited storage space: Google Drive now only offers 15GB of free storage. If your photos exceed this limit, you’ll need to pay for more.
• Quick access: It can take time to upload or download files from Google Drive, while a hard drive provides instant access.
• Forgotten passwords: If you forget your Gmail password, having a backup on your hard drive saves you from losing access to your photos.
• Security concerns: If you accidentally share a link to a photo or document with the wrong person, your files can be at risk. A local backup gives you better control.

How to Backup Google Photos to an External Hard Drive

There are two main ways to back up Google Photos: manually and using Google Takeout. Let’s look at both methods.

#1. Transferring a Small Number of Photos Manually

If you only need to transfer a few photos, follow these steps:

1. Open Google Photos in your web browser and sign in to your Google account.
2. Select the photos you want to download by clicking the three dots in the top-right corner.
3. Choose the Download option from the dropdown menu.
4. Once the photos download to your computer, simply drag and drop or copy-paste them to your external hard drive.

#2. Download All Photos Using Google Takeout

For larger collections, the Google Takeout feature makes the process easier. Here’s how:

1. Visit Google Takeout and sign in to your Google account.
2. Scroll down and click Deselect All to uncheck unnecessary data.
3. Find Google Photos and check the box to include only your photos.
4. Click Next Step and customize the backup settings (file type, frequency, etc.).
5. Click Create Export and wait for the process to finish.
6. Once the export is complete, download the resulting ZIP file.
7. After downloading, unzip the file and copy the contents to your external hard drive.

This method is great for larger backups, but there are some limitations to be aware of.

Limitations of the Manual Backup Process

While the manual method works, it comes with a few challenges:

• Time-consuming: The process can take a long time, especially if you have a large number of photos.
• Complexity: Some users find the manual steps confusing, especially if they’re not tech-savvy.
• No filters: You can’t select specific photos based on dates or other filters.
• Risk of data loss: Large backups can sometimes result in file corruption or data loss.

If these limitations concern you, a professional tool may offer a more efficient solution.

How to Backup Google Photos Using a Professional Tool

The SoftMagnat Google Backup Tool provides a faster, more intuitive way to back up your Google Photos. This tool simplifies the exporting process and includes advanced features like date range filters, so you can download photos from a specific time frame. It even allows you to convert files into other formats such as EML, PDF, and PST.

Conclusion

Backing up your Google Photos to an external hard drive is a smart way to safeguard your memories. While manual methods can work, they’re often time-consuming and complex. Using a professional tool like the SoftMagnat Google Backup Tool makes the process faster and offers additional features, making it a better choice for many users.

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FAQs

1. Why should I back up my Google Photos to an external hard drive?
Backing up photos to an external hard drive offers better control over your data, faster access, and protection against security issues or forgotten passwords.

2. How long does it take to back up Google Photos manually?
It depends on how many photos you have. If you’re downloading a large number of photos, it could take several hours or even days, depending on your internet speed.

3. Is it safe to use the manual method for backing up Google Photos?
Yes, it’s safe but can be risky for large data transfers. You might encounter file corruption or data loss during the process.

4. What are the advantages of using a professional tool for backup?
Professional tools like the SoftMagnat Google Backup Tool save time, offer advanced filtering options (like date range), and simplify the entire backup process, reducing the risk of errors.

5. Can I choose specific photos to back up using Google Takeout?
Unfortunately, Google Takeout doesn’t offer granular filtering by date or event. You can only choose to download all your photos, which may include unwanted ones.