Google Takeout download links expire or downloads fail frequently.

Google Takeout links are valid for about a week. If downloads fail, ensure you have a stable internet connection. For very large files, consider using a download manager browser extension or application that can resume interrupted downloads. If links expire, you may need to initiate a new Google Takeout export.

Photos appear in Ente, but metadata (dates, locations) is incorrect or missing.

This usually happens if the `.json` sidecar files from your Google Takeout export were not included or correctly extracted alongside your media files. Ensure you extracted *all* contents of the `.zip` archives into the same folder, making sure the `.json` files (e.g., `IMG_1234.jpg.json`) are present next to their corresponding media files (e.g., `IMG_1234.jpg`). Ente relies on these `.json` files to reconstruct the original metadata Google Photos stored separately. If they were missed, you might need to re-download and re-extract your Takeout archives.

Ente upload is slow or gets stuck.

Ensure you are using the Ente *desktop application* for large uploads, as it's generally more robust than browser-based uploads for very large datasets. Check your internet connection speed. If you have many files, the initial indexing by Ente might take some time. Close other bandwidth-intensive applications. If it's truly stuck, try pausing and resuming the upload, or restarting the Ente app. You can also try importing in smaller batches if you've organized your exported data into subfolders.

How to Switch from Google Photos to Ente

Why Switch from Google Photos to Ente?

Google Photos has long been a convenient solution for many, offering unlimited storage (for compressed photos) and AI-powered features. However, this convenience often comes at a cost to your privacy. As a product of an advertising company, Google’s business model relies on data, and while Google states it doesn’t use Photos content for ads, the mere fact that a corporation has access to your most intimate memories raises significant privacy concerns. You are giving up control and ownership of your personal data.

Ente, on the other hand, is built on a foundation of privacy and end-to-end encryption. It’s an open-source, zero-knowledge platform, meaning your photos and videos are encrypted on your device before they ever leave it, and only you hold the keys to decrypt them. Not even Ente’s developers can access your unencrypted data. This commitment to privacy aligns with the growing desire for digital autonomy, ensuring your precious memories remain truly yours, free from corporate surveillance or potential data breaches.

Beyond privacy, Ente offers a simpler, cleaner experience focused on preserving your memories without intrusive AI features designed to analyze your life. It provides transparent pricing, cross-platform availability, and a community-driven development approach, giving users a true alternative for secure, long-term photo storage.

Before You Begin

Before embarking on your migration journey, ensure you have the following ready:

Reliable Internet Connection: Migrating large photo libraries requires significant bandwidth for downloading from Google and uploading to Ente.
Ample Disk Space: Your local computer needs enough free space to temporarily store your entire Google Photos library after downloading it from Google Takeout. Aim for at least 2-3 times the estimated size of your Google Photos library.
Time Commitment: Depending on the size of your library and your internet speed, the entire process can take anywhere from several hours to several days. Plan accordingly.
Ente Account: While the first step covers creating one, ensure you’re prepared to set up and securely store your Ente passphrase.

Step-by-Step Migration

The migration process involves exporting your data from Google Photos via Google Takeout, downloading it, and then importing it into Ente.

(Step 1: Create Your Ente Account) (Detailed content provided in YAML frontmatter) Screenshot: Ente signup page

(Step 2: Export Your Data from Google Photos using Google Takeout) (Detailed content provided in YAML frontmatter) Screenshot: Google Takeout - Select Google Photos Screenshot: Google Takeout - Delivery Method

(Step 3: Download and Prepare Your Exported Data) (Detailed content provided in YAML frontmatter) This step is crucial for ensuring Ente can correctly import all your media and metadata. Organize your downloaded .zip files and extract them carefully into a single main folder. Screenshot: Extracted Google Takeout folder structure

(Step 4: Import Your Photos to Ente) (Detailed content provided in YAML frontmatter) The Ente desktop app will handle the encryption and upload seamlessly. Screenshot: Ente Desktop App - Import from folder

Importing Your Data

The “Import Your Photos to Ente” step (Step 4 above) is where the actual transfer of data to Ente happens. During this process:

Ente Processes JSON Files: The Ente importer is designed to look for the .json files generated by Google Takeout. It extracts crucial metadata like the original capture date, time, and location (if available) from these JSONs. This is particularly important because Google Photos often modifies the EXIF data in images upon upload, and the JSON files contain the original truth.
Client-Side Encryption: As your files are read by the Ente desktop app, they are immediately encrypted using your passphrase on your local machine before being uploaded to Ente’s servers. This ensures your data is always protected.
Upload and Sync: The encrypted data is then uploaded to your Ente cloud storage. Once uploaded, it will be accessible from all your logged-in Ente devices (web, mobile, desktop).

Tips for a Smooth Transition

Batch Imports (if needed): If your Google Photos library is excessively large (hundreds of thousands of photos), you might consider performing your Google Takeout exports in smaller, year-by-year batches. This can make the download and extraction process more manageable. You can then import each batch into Ente.
Keep Ente App Open: For the best experience, ensure the Ente desktop app remains open and your computer doesn’t go to sleep during the upload process.
Verify in Batches: If you have a massive library, don’t wait until the very end to verify. After a significant chunk has been uploaded, check your Ente library to ensure everything is appearing as expected.
Don’t Delete Prematurely: Do NOT delete your photos from Google Photos until you are absolutely certain that all your photos and videos have been successfully migrated to Ente and you are satisfied with their presentation. Keep your local copy of the Google Takeout export as a backup for a few weeks or months.
Explore Ente Features: Take some time to get familiar with Ente’s interface, how albums work, sharing options, and other features.

What You Might Miss (And Alternatives)

Switching from a feature-rich service like Google Photos might mean adjusting to some differences.

Advanced AI Search: Google Photos excels at searching for “dogs,” “beaches,” or “food” without explicit tagging. Ente’s search capabilities are evolving and are primarily tag and date-based, respecting your privacy by not analyzing your content.
- Alternative: Ente allows you to manually tag photos and videos, enabling you to create your own personalized search categories without compromising privacy.
“Memories” and Automatic Creations: Google Photos frequently presents “Memories” or automatically creates collages, animations, and stylistic edits. Ente does not have these automatic features.
- Alternative: Ente focuses on raw storage and organization. You can use third-party photo editing apps on your device for creative edits and then upload the results to Ente. You can also manually create albums for your own “memories.”
Free Unlimited Storage (compressed): Google Photos used to offer free unlimited storage for compressed photos. Ente offers generous free tier storage, but its primary model is paid, encrypted storage.
- Alternative: Ente’s paid plans are designed to be affordable for private, secure storage, often costing less than other premium cloud solutions, with the added benefit of true privacy.

Conclusion

Migrating from Google Photos to Ente is a significant step towards reclaiming your digital privacy and ownership of your most cherished memories. While the process requires a bit of effort and patience, the peace of mind that comes with knowing your photos are end-to-end encrypted and free from corporate scrutiny is invaluable.

By following this guide, you’ve successfully moved your photo legacy to a platform built on strong ethical foundations. Welcome to a more private and secure way to store your memories with Ente!