How to Select All Photos in Google Photos [Desktop and Mobile]

In Google Photos, we store our memories in a big online library. It’s easy to find and organize them. But when we have lots of photos, it’s hard to select them all at once because there’s no “Select All” button. Don’t worry! This guide will help you learn how to select all your photos in Google Photos on both computers and phones.

How to Select All Photos in Google Photos on Desktop

Step 1: Access Google Photos

First, navigate to Google Photos on your web browser. Ensure you’re logged in with your Google account to access your photo library.

Step 2: The Shift Key Method

Although Google Photos lacks a “Select All” option, you can still achieve a similar outcome using the Shift key.

1. Select the first photo by clicking on the white checkmark in the top-left corner of the photo. Once selected, the white checkmark will turn blue.

This screenshot is from Google Photos on a desktop, showing a randomly chosen photo as the first selection with its blue checkmark highlighted.

2. Scroll down to the last photo of your choice, hold down the Shift key.

This screenshot is from Google Photos on a desktop, showing how to bulk select a group of photos with the help of the Shift key.

3. With the Shift key still held down, click on the last photo. This action will select all photos in between, allowing for bulk actions.

This screenshot from Google Photos on a desktop shows several photos selected, each indicated by a blue checkmark.

4. The count of selected photos is displayed in the upper left corner. To deselect all, simply click on the “X” located to the left of this number.

This screenshot from Google Photos on a desktop displays several selected photos, each marked with a blue checkmark. The count of selected photos at the top left is highlighted, suggesting that clicking on the 'X' will deselect all the selected photos.

How to Select All Photos in Google Photos on Mobile

Step 1: Open the App

Start by launching the Google Photos app on your Android or iOS device. Make sure you’re signed in to access your photos.

Step 2: Tap, Hold, and Drag

1. To select multiple photos, tap and hold on the first photo until it becomes highlighted with a blue checkmark.

This is a screenshot of the Google Photos on a mobile device. A random photo has been selected and highlighted as the first photo.

2. Then, without lifting your finger, drag down or across to include more photos in your selection. This gesture is great for selecting a series of photos in a row or column. You will notice that all the selected photos will have a blue checkmark.

This is a screenshot of Google Photos on a mobile device. It demonstrates how additional photos can be selected by not lifting your finger after selecting the first one and dragging down to include those photos in the selection. — *Additional photos can be selected by not lifting your finger after selecting the first one and dragging down to include those photos in the selection.*

3. The count of selected photos is displayed in the upper left corner. To deselect all, simply tap on the “X” located to the left of this number.

This screenshot from Google Photos on a mobile device displays several selected photos, each marked with a blue checkmark. The count of selected photos at the top left is highlighted, suggesting that tapping on the 'X' will deselect all the selected photos.

Tips for Managing Selected Photos

Create Albums: Once you’ve selected multiple photos, consider organizing them into albums for easy access and sharing.

Bulk Actions: Use the selection process to efficiently delete, archive, or add photos to an album. This saves time and keeps your photo library tidy.
Sharing: Selected photos can be quickly shared with friends or family, either by creating a shared album or sending a link directly.

Pro Tip: Google Photos’ automatic backup feature can rapidly use up your free 15GB of Google storage, and not everyone wants every photo and video automatically uploaded to the cloud. Learn how to disable Google Photos auto backup to better manage your storage space and select which content you wish to upload.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) Where can I find the “Select all” option in Google Photos?

Google Photos does not have a direct “Select all” option. Instead, you can select photos in bulk by clicking on the first photo, holding down the Shift key, and then clicking on the last photo to select everything in between.

2) Can I select all photos in Google Photos?

Yes, you can select all photos in Google Photos using a combination of keyboard shortcuts or manual selection methods.

3) How do I select multiple photos in Google Photos using keyboard?

To select multiple photos in Google Photos using a keyboard, hold down the Shift key and click on the first and last photos you want to select.

4) How do I select all photos in Google Photos without scrolling?

You can’t select all photos in Google Photos without scrolling, but you can use keyboard shortcuts or manual selection methods to select multiple photos efficiently.

Wrapping Up

Using Google Photos without a “Select All” button might feel tricky, but once you learn the right tricks, picking lots of photos becomes easy. Whether you’re using a computer or a phone, these steps will help you sort, share, and arrange your photos easily. Try out these methods to get the most out of Google Photos, turning your digital pictures into neat albums full of special memories.