Google Photos Takeout is a straightforward option to export all Google Photos to a local computer system. It is an excellent option to create a local backup of all photos uploaded to Google Photos or moving to a different provider.
A big problem with the takeout is that the photos are stored in multiple zip files, often hundreds of them. The number of folders depends largely on activity and time. Each zip file contains photos and a JSON file.
While it is possible to extract individual folders or all at once, doing so still leaves the photos in a disorganized state.
Google Photos Takeout Helper
The open source application comes to the rescue. All it takes is to point the app to a downloaded Google Photos takeout folder for it to do its magic. The application extracts all zip archives, sets timestamps correctly and will put all photos in a single folder or in monthly folders.
You need to download the photos from Google Takeout in the first step. This is done by visiting the Google Takeout site, signing-in, activating “deselect all” at the top to uncheck all export options, and checking the box next to Google Photos on the page.
Select “Next step” to continue and keep all other settings. Activate “create export” and wait for Google to inform you with an email that your download is ready.
A click on each of the download links opens the download page. You may need to authenticate yourself again before the download starts.
Extract all Zip archives. You may need to move them into a single root folder first, if there is more than one archive. The easiest way to do so is to copy all additional Google Photos folder into the first folder, so that all folders are under the same structure (Takeout\Google Photos).
Once all photos have been downloaded and all archives extracted, it is time to switch to Google Photos Takeout Helper.
Using the Helper app
First step is to download the application from the project’s GitHub repository. Visit it with a click on this link. The app is available for Windows, macOS and Linux. I downloaded the Windows version for this guide.
Run the downloaded file once it is on the local system. Note that you may get a “Windows protected your PC” prompt. This is thrown by SmartScreen, a security feature. The app is not dangerous, but SmartScreen does step in if an app is new or unrecognized by it.
Select “more info” and then “run anyway” to continue. A command prompt window opens with instructions. Press the Enter-key and use the folder browser that opens to pick the Takeout folder.
Once done, press Enter again to select the output folder. This is the folder that all sorted photos are put into.
All photos may be put into a single folder or sorted into year/month folders. Press 1 or 2 to make the selection.
Select what Google Photos Takeout Helper should do with albums in the final step:
- 0 Shortcut — links album folders to original photos.
- 1 Duplicate-Copy — puts photos into album folders as well.
- 2 JSON – puts all photos into a single folder and creates a json file with album information.
- 3 Nothing — ignore albums, which will ignore archive and trash photos altogether.
If the target folder is not empty, you need to select (1) to delete all files inside, (2) to place photos next to existing files or (3) exit the process.
The process may take a moment to complete. Press the Enter-key to finish the process and close the program window.
Once closed, open the target folder. You should see a folder structure based on your selections. Check the ALL_PHOTOS folder to access them all.
Closing Words
Google Photos Takeout Helper is a useful open source tool to quickly sort all exported photos. While not needed per-se, it may save users lots of time.