Below are two options for backing up your Photos.  Remember when using either method ALL PHOTOS will be attached to your work account.

 

Google Drive → Best for storing a full backup file to restore later

Google Photos → Best for easy viewing and access to individual pictures

 

Option 1: Back Up Using Google Drive (Full file copy)

 

This method uploads your entire photo library file to Google Drive.  This keeps your full library intact as a backup.  Uploading may take several hours.  When you receive your new laptop you’ll need to download it and open it in the Photos app. 

 

Click the Finder icon in your dock

In the left sidebar, click Pictures. The Pictures folder may not appear in your left sidebar by default. If it is not there, please follow the next steps to add it.

To add the Pictures folder to your Sidebar, select Finder from the top menu bar (next to the Apple logo) and click Settings.

In Settings select Sidebar then select the Pictures checkbox.

Now that the Pictures is in your Sidebar, you can continue following the backup steps below.

In your Pictures folder, look for a file called Photos Library.photoslibrary

 

Next we will compress your Photos Library file and copy the compressed file to your Google Drive.

Right click on your Photos Library file and choose “Compress."

 

 

 

 

Depending on the file size, it may take some time to compress. When complete, you will have another file called "Photos Library.photoslibrary.zip." This file must be copied to your Google Drive.

 

Open another Finder window by pressing Command N on the keyboard or by going to the Finder Menu --> File --> New Finder Window

 

In the sidebar on your new Finder Window browse to Google Drive and open My Drive

 

Drag Photos Library.photoslibrary.zip into your My Drive folder

 

Depending on the file size it may take some time to copy to Google Drive. Please wait until the file has been fully copied before you turn off or close your computer. You can continue with other tasks on your computer while the file copies.

 

 

Option 2: Back Up Using Google Photos

 

Google Photos allows you to store and access your pictures from anywhere.

 

Go to photos.google.com in a web browser. Sign in with your USCSD Google account

 

Click the Finder icon in your dock

In the left sidebar, click Pictures. The Pictures folder may not appear in your left sidebar by default. If it is not there, please follow the steps above to add it.

 

Right-click Photos Library.photoslibrary and select Show Package Contents

 

 

 

Open the Originals folder

 

 

You can look through the folders to manually select individual photos or press Command + A on your keyboard to select all of the folders.  Drag those folders/files into Google Photos in your web browser.

 

 

At the prompt to Back up from this folder automatically, select “Back up files instead.”

 

 

An indicator will pop up in the bottom left corner of your browser window letting you know how many files have been backed up.

 

 

Your photos will upload and be available from any device once complete

 

Depending on the amount of photos you have, it may take some time to copy to Google Photos. Please wait until the file has been fully copied before you turn off or close your computer. You can continue with other tasks on your computer while the file copies.