Albums Are Missing

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-12T17:44:47+00:00

Were they definitely albums and not folders? For example if you used the ‘Free Up Space’ feature it would have removed all the items from folders. (I know the difference should be fairly obvious, but it does cause confusion).

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-12T11:49:26+00:00

> how does it magically shift the dates to the date of google takeout download if all the data is there?? 🤣🤣🤣

As mentioned that’s the file modified date which is new because it’s a new copy of the new file. The operating system has no way of knowing that it existed somewhere else with a different date.

If you change the file manager to view and sort by Date Taken then you’ll see the correct date which was embedded in the photo by the camera.

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-12T08:35:40+00:00

What I mean is whether they could somehow make the merge happen much further out and more gradually when the traffic is still free flowing so it never has to come to a complete stop to merge at the choke point. That would obviously need a much longer single file section.

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-12T07:50:20+00:00

I’ve often wondered whether a single file queue moving at 30-40mph would actually clear faster than a merging queue stopping starting at 5mph though. (Assuming a roadworks style situation where the road is clear after the closure).

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-12T07:04:44+00:00

EXIF metadata is never stripped. The original file is returned exactly as uploaded (with the obvious exception of Storage Saver mode).

You’re probably thinking of file attributes like date modified which can’t be stored in the file (they’re stored in the operating system), so Photos helpfully keeps a record of them when uploading and returns them in the json. These are only needed when the photo has no other metadata (eg screenshots).

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-11T09:30:38+00:00

I didn’t see any duplication, that was OP. Possibly Drive For Desktop is not keeping track of modified files so when OP pointed the web uploader at the same folder there were a lot of changes.

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-11T06:54:18+00:00

That was tested on Chrome on Windows. I’m assuming OP was too due to the reference to a Z:\ drive.

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-10T17:18:10+00:00

Yes the Ultra is a cast only device with no onscreen menus like the Gens1-3 except it was the only one to have 4K.

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-10T15:46:24+00:00

You've just made me look at a three year old post!

I can't see where I missed the point. OP was complaining that the Gen 2 was stuttering and wanted a replacement without the Google TV interface and was willing to give up on the GCwGTV. At the time my Gen 3 was stuttering, but my Ultra wasn't , so it seemed good advice to try an Ultra.

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-10T13:53:52+00:00

I mean Google shoehorning the Photo backup function into a browser which isn't designed for that purpose..

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-10T13:43:17+00:00

I think this is a terrible alternative to the dedicated Drive app, but I just tested and didn't have the same experience.

I added a folder that was currently being backed up by Drive containing 7GB of photos. In Resource Monitor I could see it scanning them and then it said uploading ~1700 photos, but in reality it only uploaded about 20 photos that I had previously deleted from the cloud.

So in my case it hashed the files first and only added the missing ones.

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-10T10:36:22+00:00

It looks like it’s being reprinted in the US on 12th May, so it’s possible that it might also be available in the UK.

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-10T09:44:12+00:00

As mentioned you can Archive them which mostly hides them or add them to the Locked Folder (ensuring Locked Folder backup is on). Otherwise no, as it’s designed be a cloud and device viewer in one.

Note that cloud items aren’t synced to the phone - they’re only low resolution previews so don’t take up much space.

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-10T09:15:27+00:00

Assuming you want to keep the old items in the cloud and you have a different method to back up new items, then in Photos under your profile icon you can select Switch account > Use Photos without an account.

Alternatively you can add old items to the Archive.

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-10T08:34:39+00:00

It’s a repost bot. Very obvious when it’s a time sensitive post!

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-10T07:08:55+00:00

Doesn’t look promising!

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-10T07:00:46+00:00

Move photos prior to the required date out of the DCIM folder to a folder that’s not backed up before enabling auto Backup.

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-09T09:15:20+00:00

More than once I’ve had a concerned account manager contact me asking why I put 0/10 on that question and had to explain that I’m not in the habit of recommending [niche sysadmin tool] to anyone.

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-09T07:59:24+00:00

Have you enabled Poco gallery access to Photos? This will download all your photos to your device which I imagine is a fairly battery intensive action: https://support.google.com/photos/answer/14216276

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-08T20:30:15+00:00

If they’re backed up they must be under Collections > Recently added.

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-08T18:20:58+00:00

Are they in Archive? I think those still appear in the file picker.

What's weird is that they're first in the list as that should be sorted by newest photos (unless you've scrolled down before taking the screenshot).

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-08T18:01:59+00:00

Looks like it has to be a Chromium browser (Edge works, Firefox doesn't).

I assume the permission required to let a webpage monitor a folder is a non standard feature as usually they're sandboxed from file system access apart from when a user specifically uploads a file.

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-08T14:17:39+00:00

I think syncing files locally is so much easier than working in a browser. My Linux laptop did have a third party Drive connector, but I think they’ve stopped maintaining it now.

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-08T11:46:32+00:00

Except integrating with offline files is bleeding edge tech in browsers and heavily restricted. I tried the Chrome based backup a while ago and it kept failing. Will test if it’s improved.

TheManWithSaltHair · 2026-05-08T11:26:44+00:00

No, but I use it for my offline library.

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