Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
The safest migration is a four-stage process: export Google Photos with Google Takeout, preserve every media file and JSON sidecar, import with the workflow documented for your destination, then validate counts and metadata before changing or deleting anything in Google Photos. Immich users should use the community-maintained immich-go Takeout workflow; PhotoPrism users should extract media and its JSON files together before indexing or importing.
What a complete migration includes
A Google Photos migration is more than copying JPEG and video files. Google stores original capture information in the media metadata, while additional information—such as comments and other Google Photos data—may be delivered in separate JSON files. Downloading an archive can also change file-system timestamps, so those timestamps are not a reliable substitute for the metadata Google exported.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Plan the work as four distinct stages:
- Export: create a Google Takeout archive containing Google Photos and download every archive part.
- Prepare: keep the archive intact, extract it safely, and choose whether the destination will index the extracted originals or import copies.
- Import: use the destination’s documented Google Photos path instead of treating the Takeout as an ordinary folder upload.
- Validate and back up: compare counts, inspect representative files and metadata, and keep independent copies of both media and database information.
Do not regard the migration as complete merely because thumbnails appear in the new application. Albums, descriptions, locations, dates, videos and file integrity all need checking.
Before you export: storage, scope and timing
Make room for the archive and a recovery copy
Google can split a Takeout into multiple files when the archive exceeds the maximum size you select. Reserve enough local or external storage for all archive parts, the extracted files, and the destination’s working space. An external hard drive for a photo archive can be useful as temporary staging and as one independent copy, but its required capacity depends on your library and backup plan.
#1 Best Overall
- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
Keep the original downloaded archive until the destination has passed validation. It is your recovery copy if an import is interrupted, metadata is misread, or files are accidentally moved.
Choose what Google exports
In Google Takeout, deselect unrelated products and select Google Photos. Google offers a one-time archive and, for Google Photos, a scheduled export on a two-month schedule for one year when the account is eligible. Eligibility can be affected by account features such as the Advanced Protection Program. Google does not provide an arbitrary date-range export in this workflow, so a library-wide archive is the normal starting point.
Understand the archive window
Google says an archive download link expires in about seven days and can be downloaded up to five times. Download every part before that window closes. The archive may not include changes made after you requested the export but before Google finished creating it, so note the export date and avoid assuming it represents activity that occurred afterward.
Step 1: Create and protect a Google Takeout archive
- Open Google Takeout and start a new export.
- Clear the selections for products you do not need, then select Google Photos.
- Choose a one-time export unless you have a specific reason to use the eligible two-month schedule.
- Choose ZIP if you intend to follow the current Immich-Go recommendations. Select the largest available archive size to reduce the number of parts. These are Immich-Go project recommendations, not Google requirements.
- Submit the export request and wait for Google to prepare the archive.
- Download every part completely. Do not combine ZIP and TGZ parts in one Immich-Go import; the Immich-Go guidance warns against mixing formats.
- Store the untouched archive in a location with adequate capacity and restrict access to the people who should see your photos.
Do not delete the Google library, cancel the account, or reorganize the downloaded files while the export is still your only recovery copy. If Google offers several archive parts, a successful download of one part does not mean the export is complete.
What Takeout preserves—and what it may not
Capture dates and file-system dates are different
Google says original capture timestamps remain embedded in the media metadata. The operating system’s file-created or file-modified time can change during download or extraction. A destination that reads embedded metadata should therefore be able to identify the original capture date even when the surrounding folder shows a newer date.
JSON sidecars contain additional information
Keep each JSON file beside the media file it accompanies. Google uses these sidecars for extra information, including Google Photos comments and other fields that are not necessarily embedded in the image or video. Separating the JSON files from their media can prevent a destination from reading that information.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #2
- Slim durable design to help take your important files with you
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- Back up smarter with included device management software[2] with defense against ransomware
- Help secure your important files with password protection and hardware encryption
- 3-year limited warranty
Albums are not guaranteed to reappear
A Takeout archive is not the same thing as a portable copy of Google’s album database. PhotoPrism explicitly says Google Photos albums are not automatically imported. Immich-Go guidance likewise tells users to validate albums and tags after import rather than assuming they survived. Treat album organization as a migration result to verify, not a promise made by the archive format.
Choose the destination workflow
| Decision area | Immich | PhotoPrism |
|---|---|---|
| Documented Google Photos route | Current Immich Quick Start and CLI documentation direct Takeout users to the community-maintained immich-go tool. | The migration guide says to extract media and JSON sidecars together, then index or import them. |
| Album handling | Validate albums and tags after the immich-go import. | Google Photos albums are not automatically imported; a community script is referenced for users who need album transfer. |
| Handling an existing folder tree | An external library can scan existing paths, but Immich-only metadata is not written back to those files. | Indexing originals is recommended for most users who want to retain existing file and folder names; optional import can organize transferred files and avoid duplicates. |
| Backup responsibility | The database backup contains metadata and user information, not the images and videos in UPLOAD_LOCATION. |
Assess the backup method for the PhotoPrism installation separately; the migration guidance does not make the destination a substitute for an independent media copy. |
Importing a Google Takeout into Immich
Use immich-go for Takeout data
Immich’s current Quick Start and CLI documentation distinguish Google Takeout from a normal recursive folder upload and recommend the community-maintained immich-go tool for this job. Follow the version-specific immich-go instructions for installation, authentication and the location of your downloaded archive. The tool is intended to interpret the Takeout structure and its sidecars rather than treating every JSON file as an unrelated upload.
Keep all archive parts available to the tool. If you downloaded ZIP archives, use the complete ZIP set; do not add TGZ parts to the same import. Test the process with a small subset before committing to the entire library.
When the ordinary Immich CLI is appropriate
Immich’s ordinary CLI can recursively upload folders and can optionally create albums from folder names. That is useful for a prepared folder tree or a non-Google collection. It is not the documented first choice for interpreting Google Takeout metadata, so use immich-go for the Takeout-specific migration and reserve ordinary folder upload for cases where you intentionally accept folder-based organization.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallExternal libraries need a metadata policy
If you configure an Immich external library, the files remain outside Immich. Immich-only information—such as album assignments and descriptions—is not written back into those files. Moving a file within the external library can therefore cause metadata loss on a later rescan. Keep paths stable, document the location, and treat the external-library directory as managed storage rather than a temporary folder.
Importing a Google Takeout into PhotoPrism
Keep media and sidecars together
PhotoPrism’s Google migration guide says to extract the archives into the originals or import folder with the media alongside the JSON sidecars. Preserve the pairing while extracting; do not put all JSON files into a separate folder for convenience.
Rank #3
- Ultra fast data transfers: the external hard drive works with USB 3.0 thickened copper cable to provide super fast transfer speeds. Theoretical read speed is as high as 110MB/s-133MB/s and write speed is as high as 103MB/s.
- Ultra-thin and quiet: the motherboard adopts a noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- Compatibility: compatible with PS4/xbox one/Windows/Linux/Mac/Android,Stable and fast downloading on game console no difference from fast transmission when using on PC.
- Plug and Play: no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use. The hard drive chip is wrapped with aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data
- Package Contents: 1* portable hard drive, 1 *USB 3.0 cable, 1*USB to type C adapter，1 *user manual, shell packaging, three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services
Choose indexing or importing
After extraction, index or import the files according to the way you want the library organized. PhotoPrism’s general FAQ recommends indexing originals directly for most users with an existing library who want to preserve file and folder names. Its optional import process can organize transferred files and avoid duplicates, but it changes the storage arrangement compared with direct indexing.
Fields read from Google’s JSON
The PhotoPrism migration guide lists title, caption, location, capture date, creation date and update date among the fields it reads from Google’s JSON sidecars. Inspect those fields in the resulting library rather than assuming every item carries every value; Google exports can contain different metadata depending on how an image or video was added.
Album migration requires separate checking
PhotoPrism states that Google Photos albums are not automatically imported. If albums are important, verify what the initial index produced and evaluate the community script referenced by PhotoPrism for album transfer. Keep the original Takeout while testing that process because album work is separate from the basic media index.
Run a small pilot before the full import
A pilot catches path, permissions, sidecar and date problems while the dataset is still manageable. Select a representative subset rather than only recent phone photos.
- Include still images and videos.
- Include files with locations, descriptions, edits and unusual formats.
- Include at least one album’s worth of material if album organization matters.
- Include files from different years so date ordering can be checked.
- Include media whose names contain spaces, punctuation or duplicate-looking suffixes.
Import the pilot using the same destination path, account and settings planned for the full collection. Record the number of source items in the pilot and the number visible in the destination after processing finishes. A pilot is not a performance benchmark; it is a correctness check.
Validate the migrated library
Compare item counts
Compare the number of exported media items with the number indexed or imported. Interpret differences carefully: Google Takeout can contain duplicates, edited derivatives and multiple files associated with one visual moment, while a destination may group or identify them differently. Investigate unexplained gaps rather than assuming the counts should match automatically.
Rank #4
- 【Versatile Storage Expansion – For Gaming, Work & Everyday Use】 Running out of space on your PS5 or Xbox Series X/S? This external hard drive lets you store and play PS4 / Xbox One games directly, instantly freeing up your console’s internal storage for next‑gen titles. At the same time, it handles work file backups, media libraries, and cross‑device data transfers with ease. One drive, all your needs. *（Note: PS5 / Xbox Series X|S games cannot be run or stored directly from the external hard drive. However, by offloading your PS4 / Xbox One games, you can free up valuable space for newer titles.）*
- 【Patented Silicone Sleeve – Data Protection You Can Count On】 Worried about drops? We’ve got you covered. The patented built‑in silicone sleeve acts like a shock‑absorbing armor, cushioning your drive against bumps and falls. Whether it’s important work documents, precious family photos, or hard‑earned game saves, your data deserves this level of protection.
- 【Plug & Play, Compatible with Computers & Consoles】 No complicated setup—just plug in and go. Works seamlessly with Windows, Mac, and Linux computers, as well as PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Process files at the office, back up data at home, or enjoy gaming in your downtime—one drive handles all your devices, simply and hassle‑free.
- 【USB 3.0 Ultra‑Fast Transfer – No More Waiting】 Tired of watching progress bars crawl? With USB 3.0 speeds up to 5Gbps, large files transfer in seconds. Whether you’re moving work documents, transferring hundreds of gigs of games, or backing up a year’s worth of photos, you get more done in less time.
- 【Sleek, Lightweight, and Ready to Go】 Weighing just 0.16 kg—lighter than a can of soda—this compact drive features a stylish mirror‑and‑frosted finish. Toss it in your bag and go, whether you’re heading to the office, visiting a friend for a gaming session, or giving a presentation on the road.
Inspect image and video quality
- Open original-resolution images and confirm that they are not only low-resolution previews.
- Play videos from the beginning, middle and end to catch incomplete files.
- Check a selection of older and newer items.
- Compare a few files directly with the extracted Takeout copies.
Check dates and locations
Verify that the displayed capture date matches the original media or the corresponding JSON sidecar. Check images taken across time zones and videos with unusual date metadata. Inspect location fields on files that had known GPS information. Do not use the download’s file-system timestamp as the sole reference.
Check descriptions, titles and tags
Open files that had titles, captions, comments or location descriptions in Google Photos. Confirm that the destination’s metadata view contains the values it claims to support. Where a value is absent, compare the sidecar directly to determine whether the data was never exported, was not supported by the importer, or was attached to a different file.
Check albums separately
Search for several known Google Photos albums and compare their membership. Because album transfer is not automatic in the documented PhotoPrism workflow and Immich-Go guidance calls for post-import validation, an apparently complete media count does not establish that album organization survived.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Back up the result correctly
Immich database backup is not a media backup
Immich’s documentation states: “The database only contains metadata and user information. You must setup manual backups of the images and videos stored in UPLOAD_LOCATION.” In practical terms, a database backup can help restore accounts, metadata and application state, but it cannot recreate missing image and video bytes.
Back up both components:
- Database: use Immich’s database-backup process for metadata and user information.
- Media storage: copy the underlying image and video files in
UPLOAD_LOCATIONor the configured external-library path. - Recovery copy: retain the untouched Google Takeout until the imported library and its backups have been checked.
Keep copies independent
A second copy on the same server or in the same failure domain is not a complete recovery strategy. Use a separate storage location for at least one copy. A locally attached external hard drive can serve as staging or one backup destination, provided it is sized for the actual library and handled as a backup rather than the only place the files exist.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common failure modes and fixes
Only part of the library appears
First confirm that every Takeout part was downloaded and that the download completed without an error. Check whether the archive link has expired; Google says it expires in about seven days. If a part is missing, create or download a fresh export rather than proceeding with an incomplete set.
Best Value
- Slim durable design to help take your important files with you
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- Back up smarter with included device management software[2] with defense against ransomware
- Help secure your important files with password protection and hardware encryption
- 3-year limited warranty
Dates look like the download date
Inspect embedded capture metadata and the accompanying JSON. File-system timestamps can change during download, while Google says original capture timestamps remain embedded in the media. A destination that does not read the relevant field may need a different import route or a version-specific setting.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Albums are missing
Do not re-run the same media import expecting albums to appear automatically. PhotoPrism documents that Google Photos albums are not automatically imported, and Immich guidance requires validating albums after import. Determine whether your destination supports an album-specific script or workflow, and test it on a small set while retaining the original archive.
JSON files were uploaded as photos
This usually indicates that the archive was treated as an ordinary folder rather than processed through the destination’s Takeout workflow. For Immich, switch to immich-go. For PhotoPrism, place each JSON sidecar with its media in the documented originals or import path before indexing or importing.
External-library metadata disappears after a move
Immich does not write Immich-only metadata such as album assignments and descriptions back into external-library files. Moving a file can make a later rescan treat it as a new item. Keep the library path stable and perform file moves outside the application only when you understand how the rescan will handle them.
The database restored but photos are absent
Restore the media storage as well as the database. Immich’s built-in database backup does not include the images and videos stored in UPLOAD_LOCATION. Confirm that the restored server points to the correct media path and that the account has permission to read it.
Immich or PhotoPrism: which migration path fits?
There is no universal winner; the practical choice depends on how you want to handle the extracted files and metadata.
- Choose Immich’s documented route if you want a Takeout-aware import through immich-go and are prepared to validate album and tag results afterward.
- Choose PhotoPrism’s documented route if preserving an existing folder and filename structure through direct indexing is important, or if you prefer its explicit originals/import distinction.
- Favor direct indexing when keeping the extracted files in place matters more than reorganizing them. PhotoPrism recommends this approach for most existing libraries; Immich external libraries similarly leave files outside the application, but require stable paths and do not persist Immich-only metadata to those files.
- Plan extra album work in either destination. The documented workflows do not justify assuming that Google Photos albums will be reconstructed automatically.
Whichever manager you select, make the pilot and backup plan part of the decision. A destination that imports quickly but leaves you without an independent media copy is not a finished migration.
A practical completion checklist
- Google Photos was the only required product selected in Takeout.
- All archive parts were downloaded before the link expired.
- The archive format is consistent; Immich-Go imports do not mix ZIP and TGZ.
- The untouched archive is stored safely.
- Media and JSON sidecars remain together during extraction.
- A representative pilot completed before the full import.
- Image and video quality was spot-checked against the Takeout files.
- Capture dates, locations, titles, captions and descriptions were checked.
- Known albums were checked separately from the media count.
- Immich database data and the underlying media files are backed up independently.
- The source Google Photos library remains available until validation and recovery copies are complete.
Only after these checks pass should you consider changing the Google Photos library or relying on the self-hosted manager as your primary copy.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches
