Effortlessly Add Google Photos to File Explorer: 2026 Full Guide

Can I Add Google Photos to File Explorer?

Imagine how much easier it would be if your Google Photos functioned as just another folder on your computer. The ability to add Google Photos to File Explorer transforms the experience for anyone weary of managing cloud storage alongside local files.

Today, we will show you everything about adding Google Photos to File Explorer, which helps you manage photos easily. Let's find out.

Why You Should Add Google Photos to File Explorer?

You need to add Google Photos to File Explorer to eliminate the constant back-and-forth between your browser and local files. This means:

• No manual downloading and uploading.
• You can drag and drop photos between local folders and the cloud, and open images directly in desktop software like Photoshop or Lightroom.
• And it backs up new photos simply by saving them into that folder.

For photographers, content creators, or anyone managing large image collections, this integration streamlines workflows, saves significant time, and removes the frustration of dealing with upload limits, slow browser performance, and disorganized downloads.

Although Google provides a desktop app called Google Drive for Desktop (formerly Backup and Sync), it connects cloud storage and local files. Thus, you can access Google Drive and Google Photos in File Explorer before. However, Google has separated Photos from Drive now, so you can't access Google Photos in File Explorer using the Google Drive for Desktop app. The only thing you can do in the Google Drive for Desktop app is to upload photos and videos to Google Photos.

Is It Possible to Add Google Photos to File Explorer?

You cannot natively add Google Photos as a folder in File Explorer because the service does not sync directly to the desktop the way Google Drive does. The most practical workarounds include installing the Google Photos Progressive Web App (PWA) for streamlined access or using Google Takeout to download your photos for local viewing.

How to Access Google Photos on Desktop? 2 Ways

There are different ways for you to access Google Photos on a Windows desktop.

Way 1. Install Google Photos Progressive Web App (PWA)

The most effective way is to install the Google Photos Progressive Web App (PWA). Here it is:

1. Open photos.google.com in Chrome or Edge.

2. Click the browser menu, and tap the "Install Google Photos" icon.

3. It will pop up a window to ask, click Install.

4. This generates a desktop icon that functions like a standalone app.

5. Double-click it to access photos in Windows Photos.

Way 2. Download Google Photos via Google Takeout

Use Google Takeout to export your entire Google Photos to a local folder. Once downloaded, your photos become directly viewable in File Explorer.

To put your Google Photos on your computer, try this:

1. Please go to the Google Takeout webpage.

2. Click Deselect all.

3. Tick Google Photos only, and hit Next step.

3. Select Send download link via email in the Destination section, and set up frequency, file type, and size, etc.

4. Hit Create export.

5. Wait for the process to complete. Then click the download link to download all photos from Google Photos to your computer.

6. Then you can pin the folder that contains all the photos from Google Photos to access Google Photos to File Explorer directly.

How to Automatically Back Up Photos and Videos to Google Photos on Windows?

Google Photos does not have a dedicated native desktop application for browsing. Still, you can install the Google Drive for Desktop app to automatically back up photos and videos to Google Photos, as a Google Photos desktop uploader for Windows. And you should know that: Google Photos and Google Drive operate as separate services. Images uploaded to Google Photos do not automatically appear in the Google Drive folder within File Explorer.

If you need to automatically back up photos and videos from your computer to Google Photos, try this:

1. Please download and install the Google Drive for Desktop app, then log in.

2. Tap the Google Drive icon from the system tray to open its window.

3. Click the Settings icon and choose Preferences.

4. Tap My Computer, and click Add Folder, choose your folder that contains photos and videos, and click Select Folder.

5. Check only Back up to Google Photos, and hit Done.

6. Hit Save to save the change.

All the photos and videos in the folder you set up will be synced to Google Photos, and you can manage them all on the Google Photos website.

Indirect Way to Add Google Photos to My File Explorer

How to add Google Photos to my File Explorer? You can try another indirect way to make it.

Here comes the powerful web-based multiple cloud storage manager using MultCloud as your central management tool. While MultCloud doesn't mount Google Photos as a drive, it enables seamless transfers between clouds—so you can move files from Google Photos to a cloud that does play nice with File Explorer, like OneDrive or Google Drive.

MultCloud lets you transfer files directly between cloud services without downloading anything to your computer.

It supports 40+ clouds, including Google Photos, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, iCloud Drive, iCloud Photos, etc.

Powerful filter allows you to choose certain files by file extensions, which is very useful for migrating a large number of files.

Here are the demonstration steps of transferring files from Google Photos to Google Drive with MultCloud:

Important: Before you start moving files, check your storage limits on both Google Drive and Google Photos.

1. Please sign up for a free MultCloud account.

2. Click "Add Cloud" and select Google Photos. Follow the prompts to grant access. Repeat this step to add your Google Drive.

3. Tap the "Cloud Transfer" tab. Choose photos and videos in your Google Photos account as the source and Google Drive as the target.

4. Click "Options" and "Schedule" to access advanced settings, and press Transfer Now to migrate Google Photos to Google Drive automatically.

5. Once complete, your photos now live in Google Drive, which can be integrated with File Explorer. Simply open Google Drive for Desktop, and your photos will appear in File Explorer.

Notes:✎...

Due to recent Google Photos API changes, you'll notice that only photos uploaded via MultCloud appear by default. To transfer existing photos in Google Photos, click "Add More Photos", select the images you want, and authorize access—this permission lasts seven days, so plan accordingly.

If you're moving certain files, use the "Filter" option in MultCloud to include only specific file types like .jpg or .png, etc.

You can also schedule transfers with Schedule to run overnight so they don't interfere with your workflow. You can run the cloud migration daily, weekly, or monthly, even once.

The transfer runs in the background, even if you close your browser.

FAQs about Adding Google Photos to File Explorer

Why can't I see all my Google Photos in MultCloud?

A: Google updated its Photos API in May 2025. Third-party apps now only access photos you explicitly authorize. In MultCloud, click "Add More Photos" and manually select images. Permission lasts seven days.

Does Google Drive for Desktop show Google Photos in File Explorer?

A: No, Google Drive for Desktop does not show Google Photos in File Explorer or Finder. It only syncs files in "My Drive", as Google Photos and Drive are separate services with no direct folder integration.

How do I move files from Google Drive to Google Photos using MultCloud?

A: Add both clouds to MultCloud, then use Cloud Transfer with Google Drive as source and Google Photos as destination. Folders from Drive become albums in Photos.

Can I schedule automatic transfers between Google Photos and other clouds?

A: Yes. MultCloud offers daily, weekly, or monthly scheduling for regular backups.

Will moving photos between clouds affect their quality?

A: Yes. Due to API limitations, photos are compressed to "high quality". Original metadata may not carry over.

Is MultCloud safe for transferring personal photos?

A: It uses 256-bit AES encryption and OAuth authorization. It stores access tokens, not credentials. Review privacy policies before use.

What's the difference between Cloud Transfer, Cloud Sync, and Cloud Backup in MultCloud?

A: Cloud Transfer is a one-time migration. Cloud Sync keeps two locations updated. Cloud Backup creates an extra copy.