In this article, we will show you how to download photos from Google Photos to your computer. You can do this using the Google Startup and Sync app.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: How to install the Startup and Sync app
Step 1. Go to
This is the home page of the Startup & Sync application, which lets you quickly download photos from Google Photos to your computer.
Step 2. Click Download
A window will open asking where to save the installer.
Step 3. Select a folder and click Save
Select a folder whose name you will not forget, because you will need to open it and run the installer.
Step 4. Double click on the installer
This is the file you downloaded. The installer will download and install the appropriate software.
If a security warning window opens, click Run
Step 5. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation
You may need to restart your computer.
Part 2 of 3: How to customize the Startup and Sync app
Step 1. Go to
If you are already logged into Google, the contents of your Google Drive will be displayed.
If you are not already signed in to your account, click "Go to Google Drive" and log in
Step 2. Click on the gear icon
You will find it in the upper right corner of the screen.
Step 3. Click on Settings
Step 4. Check the box next to "Create a Google Photos folder"
A link to your photos will appear in Google Drive.
Step 5. Click Finish
It's in the upper right corner. Now close or minimize the browser window.
Step 6. Right-click on the Startup and Sync application icon
On Windows, look for this icon in the application bar on the right side of the taskbar. On macOS, the icon is located in the menu bar at the top of the screen. The icon looks like a cloud with an arrow.
Step 7. Click Login
A Google login window will open.
Step 8. Log in to Google and click Next
Now start configuring the Startup and Sync application.
Step 9. Select Back up photos and videos and press Further.
Step 10. Select a folder to save photos
To do this, check the box next to the required folder.
- If you cannot find the folder you want, click Select Folder to select it.
- You can select a folder with pictures (for example, the Pictures folder), but keep in mind that all photos stored in this folder will be copied to Google Photos.
Step 11. Select the size of the uploaded photos
This applies to photos uploaded to Google Photos, not to photos downloaded from Google Photos.
- Select High Quality for small, high-quality images. We recommend that most users do this; but if you are a professional photographer dealing with huge RAW files, the quality will decrease slightly. This option will also allow you to store an unlimited number of photos and videos in Google Photos for free.
- Select Original Quality to keep the resolution and size of your original photos unchanged. Do this if you need very high resolution photos, but such files will take up space in the cloud storage, the free volume of which is limited.
Step 12. Click on Start
The Startup & Sync application will start downloading files from the selected folders to your Google Drive. This will take some time, depending on the size of all photos. Spend that time on, for example, downloading photos.
The specified application will constantly run on your computer, that is, files will be regularly copied to your Google Drive
Part 3 of 3: How to Download Photos
Step 1. Right-click on the Startup and Sync application icon
It looks like a cloud with an arrow and is in the app bar (Windows) or menu bar (macOS).
Step 2. Click Options
Step 3. Click on Google Drive
You will find this option in the left pane.
Step 4. Click Synchronize only these folders
A list of folders will open.
Step 5. Select Google Photos and press OK.
The process of downloading photos from Google Photos to your computer starts. It will take some time, depending on the size of all photos and the speed of your internet connection.
- To download the contents of other Google Drive folders, also select them.
- To view your downloaded photos, open the Google Drive folder on your computer, and then double-click the Google Photos folder. Photos and videos are stored in subfolders inside this folder; the subfolder names are dates and / or album names.