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Backup MacBook Photos to Google Photos | Complete Guide

Install Google Photos on MacBook. Here is the Detailed Guide to Setup & Use Google Photos App on Mac to Backup System Photos & Videos for Free.
Google Photos on MacBook

Google Photos is an image and video storage service offered by Google to back up and store media files over the cloud. You can use this service to auto-upload photos from your PC as well as using a desktop client. All you need is to download Google Drive for Desktop and make few settings tweaks to upload images and videos to Photos App.

In this guide, I will walk you through the complete guide to Install, Setup, and Use Google Drive for Desktop to back up specific folders or all system library media files to Google Photos for Free.

Google Drive for Desktop: How to Install Google Photos?

Here is the Simple Guide to Install Google Photos on Old MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Latest Apple M1 Chip.

  1. Download Google Drive for Desktop from Offical Site.
    Download Drive for DesktopDownload_Drive_for_Desktop
  2. Once downloaded, click on the file to install it.
  3. The system will verify the downloaded file. You can skip the verification, but I do not recommend you to do so.
    Verifying the File
  4. Once the verification is over, a new window will pop up with a pkg file, double-click on it.
    Google Drive PKG File
  5. A new installation window will pop; here, click on the Continue button.
    A new installation window will pop, here click continue
  6. The next page will appear; if you wish, you can change the location or click on the Install button. The file will be installed inside Macintosh HD or an equivalent storage location.
    Change Location or Click Install
  7. You may be asked to enter the Mac Password to confirm the installation.
    Enter_Password
  8. The files will compile and write themselves to install on Mac PC.
    Writing_Files
  9. Within a few seconds, the application will be installed on your macOS.
    Install Google Drive on mac
  10. A Google Drive icon will show up on the top menu bar on MacBook.
    Google Drive Icon on Mac Menu Bar
  11. If it doesn’t show up, look for all apps (F4 Button) and open Google Drive. The icon will show up on the menu bar.
    Press F4 to Open Installed Apps
  12. Now click on the Google Drive icon on the menu bar and click on sign in.
    Sign in to Google Drive
  13. A Google account login page will open in a browser. Log in with your G-Account to confirm the access.
    Select Account
  14. Confirm the login by clicking on Sign in.
    Confirm_the_Download
  15. Once the login is a success, you will see a confirmation message on the browser.
    Success Login Google Drive for Desktop
  16. You can confirm the login is a success by clicking on the drive icon on the menu bar.
    Login Success

How to Setup Google Photos for MacBook?

Here is the Simple Guide to Setup and Use Google Photos App on MacBook using Google Drive for Desktop.

  1. Click on the Gear iconGear_ICon_Google_drive.
    Click on Gear Icon
  2. Now click on the Preferences option.
    Open Preferences
  3. A new window will open.
  4. Here click on the option My MacBook XXXX.
    Select My MacBook PC
  5. Click on Add Folder option.
    It is important to note that only folder/s can be backed up to Google Photos, individual files cannot be uploaded to GPhotos. So add the videos and images inside a parent folder to back it up to Photos.

    CLick on Add Folder

  6. How select a folder with media files and click Open.
    Select Image and Open
  7. Right tick the box next to Back up to Google Photos and click Done.
    Select Google Photos and Click Done
  8. The Photos and Videos from the selected MacBook folder will backup to Google Photos.

How to Backup All MacBook Photos to Google Photos?

Here is the Simple Google Drive for Desktop Setting to Backup All Mac Photos and Videos to Google Photos. Your System Photo Library and iCloud Photos will be automatically uploaded to Google Photos.

  1. Click on the Settings Gear_ICon_Google_drive icon on Drive Window.
    Settings Drive for Desktop
  2. You can select the image quality to upload to Google Storage.
    Select Upload Quality
  3. Now right-tick on Upload Photos and videos to Google Photos under System Photo Library.
    Right_Check_upload_system_photo_library
  4. Confirm upload to system photo library.
    Right Check upload system photo library
  5. You may have to grant your Mac media access to Google Drive App. Click on Open Privacy Settings.
    Open Privacy Settings
  6. A settings page will open; right tick Google Drive to grant access.
    Access Photos to Google Drive App
  7. Done! All the system photos and iCloud photos will be uploaded to Google Photos.
  8. Make sure that Syncing is enabled in Drive for Desktop App.
    Syncing is enabled in Drive for Desktop App

Conclusion

You are also offered the option to upload system screenshots or RAW files to G-Photos. RAW is the standard file format for uncompressed images captured by digital cameras and Scanners.

You are also offered the option to upload system screenshots or RAW files to G-Photos

That’s it with this detailed guide to install and set up Google Photos on MacBook PC using Google Drive for Desktop.

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