Proper workflow to reupload all space-consuming photos through alternative client

[BarkerB]

First of all, thanks so much for this toolkit. It has been extremely useful to me so far!

I'm intending to find all space-consuming photos on my account, and get them reuploaded via my Google Pixel 1, which allows for all uploads to not consume space in Google Photos.

This is the workflow I was planning to complete this and was hoping someone in the community could confirm:

1. Use GPTK to add all space-consuming photos to a new album
2. Use Google Photos to download that album as a zip
3. Use GPTK to move all photos in that album to the trash
4. Use Google Photos to force clear the trash (I think this is required, before I can reupload?)
5. Move the downloaded photos to my Google Pixel 1, and upload them all from there

It makes me a little apprehensive to have everything fully cleared from my Photos account, but I think this workflow should be correct and should still maintain the important details of the photos such as the dates the pictures were taken. I'm sure others have done this or a similar process before, so any confirmation or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[xob0t]

Use Google Photos to download that album as a zip

Or use takeout to get the metadata if you care about it

Use Google Photos to force clear the trash (I think this is required, before I can reupload?)

Not required

Move the downloaded photos to my Google Pixel 1, and upload them all from there

you can also use https://github.com/xob0t/google_photos_mobile_client

There is also a way to reupload media without deleting, thus preserving metadata.
But it requires your media be uploaded in original quality, or you having original files of the media uploaded as storage saver.

1. Prepare original media. Download all files that take up space, or use your backup of storage saver media.
2. In google photos settings enable media compression to storage saver.
   The media that does not take up space is excluded from the process.
3. Reupload media as unlimited. Since GP now stores storage saver, it will allow overwrites.

[BarkerB]

Thank you - you were right, I didn't need to clear the trash. Got everything reuploaded and claimed all my space back! Thanks again for the amazing tools!