Cloud Services
How to export and repair your photo libraries from the cloud — reliably, safely, and without losing what matters most.
Overview: Why Cloud Exports Matter for PDR
Cloud providers often transform your photos behind the scenes — compressing, renaming, converting formats, or stripping metadata completely. PDR restores your true timeline, but only if your export contains the richest version of your files.
This guide shows you:
- The correct export method for each major platform
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- How to prepare your files for PDR
- How to re-upload your fixed library cleanly afterward
- A decision table so you always pick the right export workflow
Everything here is designed to give you a premium, optimal experience — no wasted time, no frustrating do-overs.
1. Quick Decision Table — Which Export Method Should You Use?
| Cloud Service | Best Export Method | Includes Original Metadata? | Recommended for Large Libraries? | Export Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Photos | Google Takeout | JSON sidecars contain full metadata | Yes — handles 50GB+ libraries via multi-ZIP | Must merge all ZIPs into one folder before PDR |
| iCloud / Apple Photos | "Export Unmodified Original" | Preserves HEIC, MOV, Live Photos pairs | Works best on Mac | Avoid "Export X Items" (may modify metadata) |
| OneDrive | Desktop Sync Client | Retains filesystem metadata | Very stable for big folders | Web ZIP download may fail above ~4GB |
| Dropbox | Desktop App Sync | Preserves timestamps | Yes, extremely reliable | Web "Download as ZIP" has limits |
| Amazon Photos | Desktop Sync App | Retains original file metadata | Very stable for huge libraries if fully synced | Desktop sync avoids the compression/metadata stripping seen in web downloads |
| pCloud | Desktop Sync App | Preserves filesystem timestamps reliably | Handles very large collections if synced locally | Web downloads sometimes re-order files; desktop sync avoids fragmentation |
| Sync.com | Desktop Sync App | Zero-knowledge system keeps originals intact | Suitable for long-term archival and multi-device families | Slower initial sync due to end-to-end encryption, but safest for privacy |
| Backblaze B2 | Cloud Bucket → Local Download via B2 Client | All original metadata preserved | Best for extremely large archives (100k+ files) | Designed for bulk storage; requires a B2 client to structure folders correctly |
2. Exporting from Each Cloud — Premium, Optimal Best Practices
Google Photos (via Google Takeout)
Best for: Anyone who has ever used Google Photos, Android backups, or Gmail-linked accounts.
Why this method is essential: Only Google Takeout includes JSON sidecars — these hold the original timestamps, camera info, and hidden metadata PDR uses to rebuild your correct timeline. Standard "Download" does not include this.
How to export (best practice)
- Go to Google Takeout.
- Select Google Photos only.
- Ensure JSON metadata is enabled.
- Export as 2–50GB chunks (smaller chunks = fewer corrupt downloads).
- Download all ZIPs.
- Extract every ZIP into a single folder named
PDR_Input.
iCloud / Apple Photos
Best for: iPhone owners, Mac users, families with shared Apple accounts.
Why "Unmodified Original" matters: It preserves HEIC, MOV, Live Photo pairing, Original EXIF timestamps, and Apple-specific metadata.
Optimal export workflow
On Mac:
- Open Apple Photos
- Select your entire library
- Click File → Export → Export Unmodified Original
- Tick "Export IPTC as XMP" if available
- Export to a local drive folder
- Feed the exported folder into PDR
On iCloud.com:
- Use the "Download unmodified originals" option where available.
- Avoid bulk web downloads for very large libraries; the Mac app handles them far better.
OneDrive
Why OneDrive works well with PDR: Keeps files structured, preserves timestamps reliably, handles huge libraries if synced locally.
Optimal workflow
- Install the OneDrive desktop client
- Sync your Pictures folder locally
- Once sync completes, drag the local copy into PDR
- Avoid "Download as ZIP" if your library is over ~4GB.
Dropbox
Strengths: Very stable syncing, excellent for mixed-device families, good for professional workflows.
Optimal export workflow
- Install Dropbox desktop app
- Allow full folder sync
- Copy synced folder → PDR Input
- Avoid huge "Download as ZIP" jobs — Dropbox intentionally limits this.
3. After PDR — Where Should Your Fixed Library Live?
Your new timeline is flawless, so treat it properly.
Step 1 — Create a Master Library
Store your PDR output in a local SSD, a NAS, or a high-capacity external drive. This is the single source of truth.
Step 2 — Optionally re-upload to the cloud
Option A — Clean reset in same Google Photos account
Export everything, Run PDR, Delete originals from Google Photos, Re-upload fixed images. Note: Albums must be recreated manually.
Option B — Use a fresh cloud account
Keeps personal chaos separate from your newly curated timeline.
Option C — Move to another provider
Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud — all become clean "views" of your library.
Step 3 — Never mix old cloud syncs with PDR output
Avoid having multiple sync clients write into your master folder. That’s how re-corruption begins.
4. Common Cloud Export Pain Points — and How You Avoid Them
1. Missing metadata
Solved by choosing the correct export method for each platform.
2. Massive ZIP files failing
Use desktop sync clients for OneDrive/Dropbox, and smaller chunk sizes for Google Takeout.
3. Duplicate or fragmented libraries
PDR recognises patterns and rebuilds continuity.
4. “My upload dates are wrong”
Cloud services show "Upload date" separately from "Date Taken" — the latter is now perfect thanks to PDR.
Recommended Cloud Services & Upgrades
Premium cloud plans ensure your PDR-fixed library stays safe long-term. These recommended providers offer reliable storage, strong metadata retention, and seamless multi-device access.
(Affiliate links below help support PDR at no extra cost to you.)