download google photos to external hard drive

How to Download Google Photos to an External Hard Drive

Are you tired of running out of storage space on your computer or device, but still want to access your Google Photos files easily? One solution is to download your Google Photos to an external hard drive. In this article, we will guide you through the process of syncing your Google Photos to an external hard drive.

Step 1: Connect Your External Hard Drive

Locate the external hard drive folder in a pop-up window. If you need to sync Google Photos to an external hard drive, make sure to check 'Upload photos and videos to Google Photos' in the Settings under the Google Drive tab. Then, click on 'Change folder location' and follow the prompts to complete the settings.

Step 2: Download Google Drive for Desktop

Before starting the steps below, you need to download and install Google Drive for desktop to your computer. Google Drive has mobile and desktop applications, so you can use the desktop app - Drive for desktop or Google Drive disk on your PC to sync files to an external hard drive.

Step 3: Sync Files to External Hard Drive

To sync files to an external hard drive using Drive for desktop, follow these steps:

1. Connect the external hard drive to your computer.

2. Start Google Drive for desktop from your computer and click 'Sign in with browser' to log in.

3. Once you're signed in, you'll see a pop-up window asking if you want to sync your files to an external hard drive.

Why Sync Google Drive to an External Hard Drive?

Although cloud backup is better than an external hard drive in many aspects, some users may need to sync Google Drive to an external hard drive or USB flash drive for the following reasons:

* You can access your files uploaded and synced to it from any smartphone, tablet, or computer.

* It provides a layer of protection to data, preventing file damage or virus infection.

Selective Sync on Mac

If you're using a Mac, you may be wondering how to selectively sync Google Drive to an external hard drive. Unfortunately, there is no built-in feature in Google Drive that allows selective syncing to an external hard drive. However, you can use third-party software like Hazel or Automator to automate the process.

Syncing your Google Photos to an external hard drive provides a convenient way to access and edit your files without running out of storage space on your device. By following these steps, you can easily sync your files to an external hard drive using Drive for desktop.

Download google photos to external hard drive