Matched JSON sidecars
Each media file is matched with its metadata sidecar, including numbered or truncated filenames.
FOR YOUR GOOGLE PHOTOS TAKEOUT EXPORTS
Scan your Google Photos Takeout export, then create an organized copy.
PhotosClaires matches your photos and videos with their JSON sidecars, inventories available dates, finds exact duplicate files, and can create a new organized copy—all on your device, without connecting your Google account.
Free · Originals unchanged · No Google account required · Privacy · Limitations
0 €free local beta · scan and organized copy with no subscription
Sample scan report.
SAMPLE SCAN
LocalYour Takeout export
Google PhotosRepresentative example
18,642 media files- Photo-taken dates available1,112
- Creation dates available as fallback136
- Exact duplicate files found386
- Albums detected17
The selected folder is never modified by the scan.
Your media stays with youThe scan runs in your browser.
Completely free betaScan and organized copy, with no payment.
Originals remain intactThe scan does not change or delete your files.
A SCAN THAT EXPLAINS
See what is actually inside your export.
Google Takeout sometimes separates an image from its information. PhotosClaires matches the files and clearly flags anything that remains uncertain.
Usable dates
The photo-taken date takes priority. The creationTime date is used only as a fallback and stays clearly identified.
Exact duplicates
Two files count as identical only after their content is checked—not merely their names.
Ambiguous cases
When several matches are possible, the tool tells you instead of guessing.
UNDERSTAND BEFORE YOU CHANGE
Three guides to understand your Google Takeout export.
Understand JSON sidecars, the different date sources, and exact duplicate detection before using any tool that changes your photo library.
01 · JSON
What are Google Photos Takeout JSON files for?
What they contain, how they match media files, and why some cases remain ambiguous.
Read the guide →02 · DATESWhy dates seem to change after an export
Learn the difference between the file date, embedded media date, and dates available in JSON.
Read the guide →03 · DUPLICATESHow to find true duplicates in Takeout
Understand the difference between the same name, same size, and truly identical content.
Read the guide →SIMPLE BY DESIGN
Three steps. No account to connect.
Start with the folder downloaded from Google Takeout. Everything is processed locally, and you then choose whether to create an organized copy.
- 1Select the folder
Choose the export already extracted on your computer.
- 2Review the scan report
Dates, JSON sidecars, albums, duplicates, and issues are counted.
- 3Create an organized copy
Preview the plan, then choose the destination yourself. The originals remain intact.
EXPORT
An export that is hard to read
Multiple folders, recent file dates, and separate JSON sidecars.
ORGANIZED COPY
A new, verifiable folder structure
Dated media is organized; uncertain cases stay separate and visible.
FREE PUBLIC BETA
Try the scan for free.
The beta inventories what is in the export and can then create a copy organized by year and month. It does not restore internal metadata and never changes the original export.
See the beta tester missionBETA IN PROGRESS
0€
Local scan and organized copy of an export already downloaded and extracted.
- Available dates inventoried
- JSON sidecars matched with media
- Exact duplicates checked up to 256 MB per file
- Year/month copy in Chrome or Edge
- Downloadable JSON and CSV reports
- No subscription
TRUST THROUGH TRANSPARENCY
What PhotosClaires does not claim to do.
- It never guesses a missing date.
- It does not retouch or enhance images.
- It does not rewrite EXIF or system dates.
- It does not delete originals or duplicates.
- It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Before selecting your folder.
Are my photos sent over the Internet?+
No. During the scan, selected files are read by the browser on your device and are not sent to PhotosClaires servers.
Why does Google Takeout create JSON files?+
They contain information that is not always embedded directly in the media, including some dates, descriptions, or album data.
What happens if a JSON sidecar is missing?+
The scan separates available information from anything that remains unknown. No date is invented to fill a gap.
What is an exact duplicate?+
Two files whose content is identical after verification. Merely similar photos are not merged.
Does PhotosClaires change my export?+
No. The scan only reads files. If you then start the organized copy, PhotosClaires writes only inside a new session folder at the destination you chose. Always keep the original export as a backup.
Does the copy fix EXIF dates?+
No. It uses reliable Takeout dates to choose year/month folders, but preserves the media bytes as-is. Missing or conflicting dates go to _A-verifier.
What are the beta limits?+
It accepts up to 100,000 files, ignores JSON files larger than 8 MB, and stops after reading 256 MB of JSON in total. For duplicates, it does not load media files larger than 256 MB and checks at most 10,000 media files, 4 GB, and 2,000 equal-size groups. Every unchecked item is reported.
FREE LOCAL BETA
See what is inside your export.
The scan requires neither a Google account nor a payment card.