Is there a simple way of accessing Google Photos from a PC?

mgfvvc

My elderly mother wants to be able to download photos from her Android phone to her PC.

The obvious choices are USB cable or Google Photos.

The USB preferences always seem to reset to no data transfer, which I can guarantee will confuse her.

The download sequence from Google Photos in a browser is too complicated for her.

It used to be possible to set it up so photos would be accessible from the Google Drive app, but I think Google have killed that option.

Is there a very simple option that I'm missing?

DCFC79

Maybe Ive misunderstood the part about Google drive but I can access my photos via Gmail, just go via the Drive option.

inspectorperez

mgfvvc said:

My elderly mother wants to be able to download photos from her Android phone to her PC.

The obvious choices are USB cable or Google Photos.

The USB preferences always seem to reset to no data transfer, which I can guarantee will confuse her.

The download sequence from Google Photos in a browser is too complicated for her.

It used to be possible to set it up so photos would be accessible from the Google Drive app, but I think Google have killed that option.

Is there a very simple option that I'm missing?

Just happened to land on your post minutes after you posted it.

Google Drive used to be the best option as your photos were automatically synchronised and did not count towards your 15 GB free data allowance. You are right, that has now been killed off in terms of the automatic sync/backup process for photos.

If your mum's PC has Windows 10 (2004 version or maybe some earlier versions), you could add her mobile phone to the PC as a device and download the photos app from Microsoft store if necessary. I did this a few weeks ago and have to say am impressed with the way it works seamlessly.

I'm not sure whether the sync function works by wireless connection or bluetooth. I have both switched on anyway so have never needed to research further into that particular question.

Anyway hope this helps

mgfvvc

DCFC79 said:

Maybe Ive misunderstood the part about Google drive but I can access my photos via Gmail, just go via the Drive option.

Are you talking about seeing them in a browser?

She needs them downloaded to her PC, so she can attach them to message board posts or emails.

neilmcl

Not sure why you/she thinks it's too complicated to get photos off Google Photos to your PC. Just go to Google Photos, select the photos you want, either individually or by day, then click on the 3 dots in the top right and click Download. The file, or in the case of multiple files a zip called photos.zip, is downloaded to your download folder.

mgfvvc

inspectorperez said:

If your mum's PC has Windows 10 (2004 version or maybe some earlier versions), you could add her mobile phone to the PC as a device and download the photos app from Microsoft store if necessary. I did this a few weeks ago and have to say am impressed with the way it works seamlessly.

I'm not sure whether the sync function works by wireless connection or bluetooth. I have both switched on anyway so have never needed to research further into that particular question.

Anyway hope this helps

That is probably a good option. I will have to play with that.

It seems to be a bluetooth connection.

Thank you for that idea.

mgfvvc

mgfvvc said:

inspectorperez said:

If your mum's PC has Windows 10 (2004 version or maybe some earlier versions), you could add her mobile phone to the PC as a device and download the photos app from Microsoft store if necessary. I did this a few weeks ago and have to say am impressed with the way it works seamlessly.

I'm not sure whether the sync function works by wireless connection or bluetooth. I have both switched on anyway so have never needed to research further into that particular question.

That is probably a good option. I will have to play with that.

It seems to be a bluetooth connection.

Thank you for that idea.

If there's a sync option in Photos, I can't see it. Am I missing something?

Google suggests it's the "Your phone" app I need for syncing to the phone.

mgfvvc

neilmcl said:

Not sure why you/she thinks it's too complicated to get photos off Google Photos to your PC. Just go to Google Photos, select the photos you want, either individually or by day, then click on the 3 dots in the top right and click Download. The file, or in the case of multiple files a zip called photos.zip, is downloaded to your download folder.

Simple for you and me. For an elderly woman who isn't tech-savvy, it's not at all simple.

J_B

*IF* the phone is logged into the google account, then they will all be available here ..

https://photos.google.com/

mgfvvc

J_B said:

*IF* the phone is logged into the google account, then they will all be available here ..

https://photos.google.com/

mgfvvc said:

The download sequence from Google Photos in a browser is too complicated for her.

J_B

mgfvvc said:

The download sequence from Google Photos in a browser is too complicated for her.

Sorry - missed that

mgfvvc said:

She needs them downloaded to her PC, so she can attach them to message board posts or emails.

On each photo (when viewed in the browser) there will be a 'share' icon which brings up the option to email them, or at the bottom, create a link / facebook / twitter
I do understand that some people have a certain way of doing things and that's how it is! 🤦‍♀️