How do I download all my Google Photos at once to a Mac?
Use Google Takeout: deselect everything except Google Photos, request the export as .zip, and download every part Google emails you. There is no Google Photos app for macOS — Google Drive for desktop syncs Drive rather than Photos, and the old Backup and Sync app was retired in 2021 — so Takeout is the only route that gets your complete library. Takeout moves the real capture dates and GPS into separate .json sidecar files instead of the photos, so run FolioSort on the extracted folder to write that metadata back into each file before you import anywhere.
How long does it take to transfer Google Photos to a Mac?
Google Takeout usually needs a few hours to 1–3 days to prepare your export, depending on library size. Once the zips are downloaded and extracted, FolioSort's part is fast: restoring dates and organizing a typical 50–100 GB library takes minutes to an hour, since everything runs locally on your Mac.
Why are all the dates wrong after downloading my Google Photos?
Google Takeout keeps the real capture date in a separate .json sidecar file instead of the photo's EXIF data. When you extract the zips, macOS stamps every file with today's date. FolioSort matches each photo to its sidecar and writes the true DateTimeOriginal back into the file, so your timeline is correct everywhere — Finder, Apple Photos, Lightroom.
Does this work for large libraries, like 500 GB or more?
Yes. FolioSort processes files in place on any locally-mounted volume, so library size is limited only by your drive space. For libraries of 500 GB or more, extract the Takeout zips directly onto an external SSD and set the destination on the same drive — FolioSort handles the rest, verifying every file with a checksum.
Is FolioSort free to transfer Google Photos to a Mac?
FolioSort is free to download, and the free tier processes up to 100 files per operation — enough to test the full transfer end to end. Pro removes the limit for a one-time €19.99 (no subscription) and comes with a 14-day guarantee.
Are my photos private during the transfer?
Completely. FolioSort runs 100% locally on your Mac — your photos, videos and metadata never leave your computer. There is no account, no sign-up, and nothing is uploaded to any server.
Can I delete Google Photos and cancel Google One after the transfer?
Yes — once you've verified your local library. FolioSort uses copy-then-verify with checksums, so spot-check the organized folders, confirm dates and locations look right, and keep a second backup of the library. After that you can safely delete your photos from Google Photos and cancel your Google One storage plan.
Can I save my library to an external drive instead of the internal SSD?
Yes. Set the destination to any locally-mounted volume — an external SSD, USB HDD, NAS share, or iCloud Drive. FolioSort writes directly to your chosen drive, so even a 2 TB library never has to touch your Mac's internal disk.
Will FolioSort modify or risk my original Takeout files?
No. FolioSort uses a copy-then-verify approach: it copies each file to the destination, verifies it with a checksum, and only removes the source if you explicitly choose Move. Your raw Takeout files stay untouched until you've confirmed the organized library is correct.
Does this work on Windows too?
Yes — FolioSort runs on both macOS 14+ and Windows 10+, with the same Takeout import and folder organization. This guide is written for Mac, but every step applies on a Windows PC as well.
