Transfer photos between Google accounts

There are three ways to transfer photos between Google accounts.

Before you start: download a backup copy of your photos.

• Method A: Download, then upload to the new account
• Method B: Share albums
• Method C: Share your library

Method A: Download, then upload to the new account

If you still have the original photos and videos on your computer, phone or tablet, upload them again into the other Google account.

If your photos and videos are only in Google Photos, first download them all to a computer. Use Google Takeout to do this.

Notes:

• Takeout downloads the original and the edited copies. Methods B and C transfer only the edited copies.
• Dates that you changed in Google Photos (for example, to correct the order) are lost.

Method B: Share albums

1. In account A, get a shareable link for the album. Refer to Share photos and videos on the Google Photos help page.
2. Sign in to account B. Use a different browser or a different Chrome profile, or sign out and sign in again. You can also email the shared link to account B.
3. Open the shareable link.
4. Click Add to library (the icon with a cloud and a down arrow). The photos are now in the library of account B.
5. To keep the album, add the photos to an album immediately.
6. If necessary, go back to account A and delete the photos. In the album, click the 3 dots, then click Move to trash.

Notes:

• Photos in the Archive of account A are not shared.
• Descriptions that you added in Google Photos are kept.
• Dates and times that you changed are also transferred.
• Keep a backup of all your photos in case a problem occurs during sharing.

Warning: Some users report a lower pixel count after they use Add to library. After some time, the larger copies usually replace the smaller copies. Make sure that you compare the pixel count before and after. If the pixel count is too low, wait some minutes after you open the album, then add it to the library.

Method C: Share your library

You can share your full library with one other account. Use this method to transfer photos between two accounts:

1. In account 1, share your library with account 2.
2. In account 2, accept the invitation and turn on Add to library. All photos from the library of account 1 are then copied to the library of account 2.

After the photos are in the library of account 2, deletions in account 1 do not delete them from account 2. Give the copy sufficient time to complete. Keep a backup (a copy that does not sync) before you start.

If some of your photos are in albums and some are not:

1. Transfer the albums with Method B.
2. Share the library of account 1 with account 2, as given above. All photos transfer, with no duplicates.

For more information, refer to Share your Google Photos library with a partner on the Google Photos help page.

Notes:

• Library sharing transfers the photos, but all albums are lost.
• Descriptions that you added in Google Photos are also transferred.
• Dates and times that you changed are also transferred.
• For an edited photo, only the edited copy is transferred. The original is not transferred, and you cannot undo the edits.
• Photos in the Archive are not shared.

More help

• Google Photos Help

If you need help, email support@itsolver.net or call 07 3123 6000.