How to Move from Google Photos to Box: A Comprehensive Guide

Step-by-Step Guide to Moving Photos

1. Navigate to Google Takeout: Start by visiting the Google Takeout website. Log in with your Google account if prompted.
2. Select Your Data: Click "Deselect all" and scroll down to select only "Google Photos." You can also choose specific albums if you don't want to export everything.
3. Choose Export Frequency: Select "Export once" for a one-time download. For regular updates, choose to schedule exports every 2 months for a year.
4. Select File Type & Size: Choose your preferred file format and maximum archive size. .zip format and 2GB size are recommended.
5. Create Export: Click "Next step" and then "Create export." Google will prepare your download, which can take a few hours to several days.
6. Download Your Photos: Google will email you a download link. Follow the link and download the archives to your computer.

• Set Up Your Box Account: Sign up for a Box account and log in.
• Prepare Your Workspace: Consider organizing your photos in Box by creating folders for different years, events, or subjects.
• Upload Photos: Use drag-and-drop, Box Drive, or the Box Mobile App to upload your photos.

• Check Upload Progress: Box provides a progress indicator for uploads.
• Verify Uploads: Ensure all photos have been uploaded correctly by navigating through your Box folders.
• Organize in Box: Rename files, create more folders, and sort photos as needed for easy access.

Leveraging External Migration Tools

Selected Photos with the Photo Picker

Step 1: Setting Up Google Photos on CloudsLinker:

Sign in to CloudsLinker, click Add Cloud, choose New Google Photos and sign in on Google's own page. Since April 2025 Google no longer lets apps read a whole Photos library, so the photos are picked in Google's Photo Picker in Step 3; for the whole library, use the Takeout route below.

Step 2: Integrating Box with CloudsLinker:

Continue by adding your Box account: click Add Cloud, choose Box and sign in on Box's own page to authorize CloudsLinker. This creates a secure connection between Box and CloudsLinker, facilitating a smooth migration path.

Step 3: Initiate the Transfer from Google Photos to Box:

Open Transfer and tick New Google Photos as the source. Click OK in Select Photos from Google Photos, pick up to 2,000 photos and videos in the Google Photos tab that opens, confirm, and return to CloudsLinker. Select a Box folder as the destination and click Create transfer. Picked items arrive as individual files: no albums, no location data, and videos as Google's transcoded copy.

Step 4: Tracking the Migration Process:

With the migration underway, you can observe the progress in CloudsLinker's 'Task' section. This area shows progress and lets you cancel the task if needed.

Step 5: Verifying the Successful Migration to Box:

Upon completion, CloudsLinker will update the transfer status to 'finished.' Your photos are now successfully migrated to Box, where they can be accessed, managed, and shared within Box's versatile platform.

The Whole Library with Google Takeout, Unpacked Inside Box

Box is one of the four services Google Takeout can deliver an export to, which makes the whole-library move short: Takeout puts the zips in your Box, and CloudsLinker reads them where they are and copies Google's original files, album folders included, into a regular Box folder — no download, no unzipping on a computer.

At takeout.google.com select only Google Photos, keep .zip with 2 GB or 10 GB parts and choose Add to Box as the delivery method, then authorize Box when Google asks. The email Google sends when the export is complete links to the folder that holds the parts. Both Takeout's parts and your longest videos have to fit your Box plan's per-file upload limit, and the zips and the unpacked copy need room side by side until you delete the zips.

In CloudsLinker choose Add Cloud → Google Takeout, select your Box under Cloud with your export, tick the folder with the zips and click Check archives. Review the folders, file count and unpacked size, then click Add Takeout.

On Transfer, tick the Takeout's Photos from YYYY folders and select a Box folder as the target, for example a new Google Photos archive folder. Copy is the only mode for a Takeout. Click Create transfer.

When Box has everything, delete the zips to free the space and remove the Takeout from CloudsLinker. Album folders hold second copies of album photos, and every photo comes with a .supplemental-metadata.json file; leave either out if you don't need them — the JSON files with Filter by excluding json. Full walkthrough: Unzip Google Takeout in the Cloud.

Cloudslinker merges the best features from various tools to offer a streamlined and efficient cloud data transfer experience. It's user-friendly, though some transfer costs may apply. Cloudslinker offers a generous free monthly transfer limit, accommodating the needs of most users.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Transferring a large number of photos can sometimes lead to issues, such as file size limits or format incompatibilities. Here are some solutions to common problems you might encounter during the move:

• For file size limits, consider splitting your exports into smaller chunks.
• If you encounter format incompatibilities, use tools to convert your photos to compatible formats before transferring.

Organizing Your Photos in Box

Once your photos are in Box, taking some time to organize them can greatly enhance your storage experience. Here are some tips:

• Create folders and subfolders to categorize your photos.
• Use Box's search features to keep your photos easily accessible.

Security Considerations

Security is a major concern when it comes to cloud storage. Here's how to ensure your photos are transferred securely:

• Enable two-factor authentication for your Box account.
• Use encrypted connections during the transfer process.

Optimizing Your Box Storage

To make the most out of your Box account, managing your storage limit effectively is crucial. Here are some strategies:

• Compress photos before uploading.
• Regularly review and remove duplicates or unnecessary files.

Sharing Photos from Box

Box offers flexible sharing options that make it easy to share photos with friends, family, or colleagues. Here's how to utilize these features:

• Use shared links to give others access to your photos.
• Control who can view, download, or edit your shared photos.

Integrating Box with Other Apps

Box's ability to integrate with other apps can streamline your workflow and enhance collaboration. Here are some apps to connect with Box:

• IFTTT for automating photo organization.
• Zapier for connecting Box with over 2,000 other web services.