How to Backup Photos to Google Photos on PC and Mac
Previously, to back up photos and videos to Google Photos on your PC and Mac, you had to upload them manually to the Google Photos web app. That involved working with a browser as there was no native way. But now, thanks to the new Drive for Desktop app, you can select folders on your computer with photos and videos to be backed up to Google Photos automatically in the background just like on your phone.
Let’s start with the manual process first.
Uploading Photos & Videos to Google Photos on PC and Mac
If all you need is to upload some photos and videos just one time, setting up an automated process isn’t needed. you’re able to do so using the Google Photos website manually to back up.
1.Open theGoogle Photos websiteand click on theUploadbutton at the top-right corner.
2.This will open a drop-down menu. SelectComputeroption to upload the photos from the PC or Mac.
3.This will open the File Explorer on your Windows or Finder app on your Mac. Justselect the photos & videosthat you want to upload and click onOpen. You can select multiple photos and upload them all at once.
But if you prefer to have a backup option for your desktop photos and videos, then instead of uploading manually, you can set up a sync process.
Backup Photos & Videos to Google Photos on PC and Mac
Google recently introduced Drive for desktop app for both Mac and PC. This app is said to replace the confusing Backup and Sync app and Drive File Stream app and works for both personal and Workspace accounts. It also comes with a new UI and additional features like the ability to log in with multiple accounts. Having said that, here’s how you can backup your photos & videos to Google Photos on PC and Mac with the new Drive for desktop app.
1.Open this link todownload the Drive for desktop app. Here clickDownload Drive for desktopbutton to download the app for your respective OS.
2.Once downloaded, open the downloaded file and install it just like any software on your computer.
3.Open the app and click on theSign in with browserbutton.
4.This will open the default browser. Herelog in with the Google accountwhere you want to upload photos and videos to.
5.Next click on theSign-inbutton to confirm that you have downloaded the app from Google itself.
That’s it, you have successfully installed the app and logged into your Google account. Now all you need to do is to set up a backup process.
6.Click on theDrive iconin the Taskbar in the bottom right corner. If you’re able to’t find the icon, click on the up arrow to find it. If the icon is still not visible, try to open the installed Drive for desktop app and the icon should show up.
7.Here click on thecog iconand then selectPreferences.
8.This will open Google Drive Preferences window. Again click on thecog iconat the top right to open Settings.
9.Once you are in settings, scroll down to the Google Photos section andselect the quality of your desired back upand click onSave.
10.Here you can findAdd folderbutton – click on it.
11.This will open File Explorer on Windows or Finder app on the Mac for you toSelect Folderthat you want to backup. Remember that Google Photos can back up photos and videos that are deep down in the hierarchy of folders. So you can select the root folder to backup all the photos and videos on your desktop.
12.Once you have selected the folder, it will open a small overflow window. Here disable the checkmark besideSync with Google Drive and enable the checkmark besideBack up to Google Photos. Now click onDone.
13.Click onAdd Folderbutton again to select multiple folders to backup to Google Photos.
14.Once done, click onSave. This will back up the photos and videos of that folder to your Google Photos account.
Now close the Google Drive Preferences window. All the photos and videos that are in the selected folders will start getting uploaded in a few minutes.
Wrap Up: Backup Photos and Videos to Google Photos on PC and Mac
This is a backup solution and not sync. So if you delete or edit those photos or videos on your PC or Mac, it will not reflect in Google Photos. However, if you add images or videos to the added folder, they will be uploaded to Google Photos.
There are several new features added to Drive for desktop. For example, see who’s editing with Real-Time Presence in Microsoft Office, integration with Microsoft Outlook, Meet scheduling, syncing only individual files in My Drive, logging in with multiple accounts, etc.
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Ravi Teja KNTS
Tech writer with over 4 years of experience at TechWiser, where he has authored more than 700 articles on AI, Google apps, Chrome OS, Discord, and Android. His journey started with a passion for discussing technology and helping others in online forums, which naturally grew into a career in tech journalism. Ravi’s writing focuses on simplifying technology, making it accessible and jargon-free for readers. When he’s not breaking down the latest tech, he’s often immersed in a classic film – a true cinephile at heart.
