Selecting all your Google Photos isn't directly possible with a single "select all" button. However, you can use the "shift-click" method or select by date for more manageable batches. Here's how:
1. Selecting a Range (The "Shift-Click" Method)
This method works within an album or the main "Photos" view to select a group of photos that are next to each other:
- Click the first photo: Select the first photo you want to include in your selection by clicking the checkbox in its upper left corner.
- Shift-Click the last photo: Scroll to the last photo you want to include and press and hold the "Shift" key while clicking the checkbox on that photo.
- All photos in between will be selected: This action will select all photos between your first click and your shift-click.
This method is most effective when your photos are organized chronologically or grouped logically within albums.
2. Selecting by Date (For Deletion or Archiving)
Google Photos used to allow selecting an entire day's worth of photos. This feature appears to have been removed or modified. The shift-click method is now the best option.
Limitations and Considerations:
- No "Select All" Button: Google Photos does not currently offer a single "Select All" button for all photos in your library. This is likely to prevent accidental mass actions.
- Large Libraries: If you have a very large photo library, selecting all photos using the shift-click method might be cumbersome. You'll have to repeat the process in manageable chunks.
- Mobile vs. Desktop: The interface and available features can slightly vary between the Google Photos mobile app and the desktop website. The "shift-click" method typically works best on a desktop browser.
Workarounds and Alternatives:
- Third-Party Tools (Use with caution): There are some third-party browser extensions or apps that claim to offer "Select All" functionality for Google Photos. However, exercise extreme caution when using these, as they may pose security risks to your Google account. Research thoroughly and only use reputable options.
- Google Takeout (For Downloading): If your goal is to download all your photos, you can use Google Takeout to download your entire Google Photos library as a ZIP file. This avoids having to select individual photos.
In summary, while Google Photos doesn't provide a direct "select all" option, you can effectively select ranges of photos using the "shift-click" method for actions like deleting, archiving, or adding to albums. For downloading everything, Google Takeout is the recommended approach.
