To download full resolution photos from Google Photos, you must first verify that your images were uploaded using the "Original quality" setting, as only those files retain their full pixel count and detail. If you used "Storage saver" (formerly "High quality"), your photos were permanently compressed and cannot be restored to their original resolution.
Before you start: understand original vs. storage saver quality
This is a critical warning: full-resolution downloads are only possible for photos uploaded in "Original quality." Photos uploaded using "Storage saver" (formerly "High quality") are permanently compressed. If a photo was larger than 16MP, it was resized to 16MP, and videos higher than 1080p were resized to 1080p. Google previously claimed its "High quality" upload option was "near-identical" to original quality, but now warns that "Storage saver" images could appear heavily pixelated compared to "Original" ones. "Original quality" uploads count against your Google Account's 15GB of free storage, which is shared across Gmail and Google Drive. Photos and videos backed up in "Storage saver" quality after June 1, 2021, also count toward your Google Account storage.
How to download full resolution photos from Google Photos one by one
To download individual photos in full resolution using a web browser, follow these steps:
- Open your web browser and go to the Google Photos website.
- Sign in to your Google account.
- Locate the photo you want to download and click it to open it.
- Click the three-dot "More options" icon in the top-right corner.
- Select "Download" or "Download original" if the photo was edited.
The "Download original" option ensures you receive the unedited version at full resolution. This method is best for grabbing a few specific images rather than your entire library.
How to download multiple photos or your entire library in full resolution
For downloading multiple photos, or an entire library in full resolution, Google Takeout is the recommended method. This is the only way to download all photos from Google photos at once to PC while preserving original quality. Use these steps:
- Go to takeout.google.com and sign in.
- Click "Deselect all" to uncheck all products.
- Scroll to "Google Photos" and check the box next to it.
- Optionally, click "All photo albums included" to select specific albums. This is useful if you only want to organize Google photos for a specific event or timeframe.
- Click "Next step" and choose your delivery preferences.
- Click "Create export" and wait for the archive to be prepared.
Downloads of multiple photos or albums from Google Photos (not Takeout) will be delivered as a ZIP file. Takeout exports all your photos in their original resolution, making it ideal for backup or switching services. If you need to download all photos from Google photos to iPhone, the Takeout archive can be downloaded to a computer and then transferred to your device.
How to save photos to your phone or tablet
To save photos to your phone or tablet using the Google Photos mobile app, open the app, locate the photo, tap it to open it in full-screen view, tap the share icon (usually an arrow pointing upward), and choose "Save to device" or "Download." This method is best for convenience, not guaranteed full-resolution archival, because the app may apply additional compression depending on your device settings. For a dedicated mobile download guide that covers batch downloads and quality preservation, refer to the separate instructions for your specific operating system.
