How can I export my pictures from Photos?
I want to export all my pictures and videos from Photos. How can this be done and is that lossless?
Thanks in advance
Hans ****
[Edited by Moderator]
Mac mini, macOS 26.1
I want to export all my pictures and videos from Photos. How can this be done and is that lossless?
Thanks in advance
Hans ****
[Edited by Moderator]
Mac mini, macOS 26.1
Create a smart album with the criteria "Photo is not edited". Then select all of the photos in the Smart Album and export as Unedited Original;
Then change the Smart Album to "Photo is edited". Select all of the photos and export as JPEGs as follows:
You can use the Title as the new filename or the original file name.
Yes it’s possible, and depends on what settings you choose.
Select the Photos and Videos in the Photos App (you can use the Select All option in the edit menu)then go to the file Menu, then tap on Export, then choose “Export unmodified originals” to export the photos without changes or quality loss.
Select a folder to export to and then click on Export.
click here ➜ Export photos, videos, slideshows, and memories on Mac - Apple Support
You're welcome.
With all the videos and photos selected, click the command+I keys on your keyboard to get info on them. It should tell you the total space taken up by full selection, though it may take a while to calculate if it's a lot.
Keep in mind that “Export unmodified originals” really does export the original files, and they will have no edits, crops, or comments that you may have added, and they won't retain face ids, location names, and so on. Live Photos don't exist as Live outside of the Photos environment, so they will be exported as a picture with a movie.
Old Toad wrote: …Create a smart album … Then change the Smart Album to "Photo is edited". Select all of the photos and export as JPEGs
Great point!
But I would also export all pictures as Unedited Originals-- you never know when you might want to go back!
If this is for backup purposes, however, then you're better off just saving the entire Photos Library rather than individual pictures. The Photos Library uses maybe half the storage and keeps more the information. You keep face ids and Live Photos, as an example.
Thanks a lot Phil. This is of great help. Is there a way to estimate what size the export will need?
Hans
How can I export my pictures from Photos?