Where to put the photo library if you do not want a second Google

A private cloud is a place to store the files. It is not a computer backup, and it is not a new Photos app.

1. Finish the earlier steps first

Export with Takeout, then keep two copies. This page does not replace those.

2. Use storage, not another social photo app

You want a folder you can open, not likes, albums shared with strangers, or a service that recompresses the files. pCloud is one service that stores the files as files. LibraryOut may earn a commission if you buy through that link. You do not pay more.

3. Upload the export folder

Create an account and pick enough space for the whole export, not one album.
Upload the zip files, or the extracted folder if you already checked it.
Wait until the upload finishes. A large library can take hours.
Open one small folder in the cloud and confirm the photos are there.

4. Still do not empty Google yet

The disk copy and this copy must both open before you delete anything in Google Photos.
This does not back up the computer. That job is the IDrive page.
Do not upload one photo at a time from the phone. Upload the export.

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