geotag.photos
To view geotagged photos in Google Earth, export them as a KMZ file — a compressed archive that bundles your photos and their GPS coordinates into a single portable file. Open the KMZ in Google Earth Pro (free desktop app), and each photo appears as a pin on the 3D globe at the exact location where it was taken. This page covers what you need, how to create a KMZ on Mac, and how to share without Google Earth.
Why Use Google Earth for Geotagged Photos?
A flat map shows where your photos were taken. Google Earth shows what it felt like to be there.
The 3D terrain is the difference. Standing at the rim of a canyon, on a Kilimanjaro ridge, or at the top of the Amalfi coast road — the elevation and topography of Google Earth match what you actually saw. Your photo's location is a point in a real landscape you can rotate, tilt, and fly through, not a dot on a grid.
Click any pin and a balloon opens with the full photo, title, and date. Add a route line and the sequence of the journey becomes visible too: where each photo was taken, and how you got between them.
The KMZ file format keeps it all portable. Photos, route line, and metadata in a single archive you can email or archive alongside your originals.
What Do You Need to View Photos in Google Earth?
Your photos need GPS coordinates embedded in their EXIF metadata — that's what "geotagged" means. Smartphones with GPS and cameras with built-in GPS modules write these coordinates automatically. DSLR and mirrorless cameras typically don't. If your photos aren't geotagged yet, see How to Geotag Photos on Mac for every method to add location data before you export. See also Why Geotag Your Photos? for the full case for building a location-aware library.
You also need Google Earth Pro — the free desktop application for Mac, Windows, and Linux, available from google.com/earth/about/versions. The web version of Google Earth and the mobile app do not support KMZ files with embedded photos. For this workflow, the desktop version is required.
Google Earth Pro, Web, or Mobile: Which Supports KMZ Photo Files?
Many users try the Google Earth web version or mobile app first and find their KMZ doesn't load. The reason: only Google Earth Pro (the free desktop application) supports the full KMZ/KML feature set including embedded photo data.
| Version | KMZ with embedded photos | 3D terrain | Free | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Earth Pro (desktop) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Yes | Mac / Win / Linux |
| Google Earth (web browser) | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | Yes | Any browser |
| Google Earth (iOS / Android) | ✗ No | ✓ Limited | Yes | iPhone / Android |
| Google My Maps (browser) | ⚠ Import only, 5 MB limit | ✗ No (flat map) | Yes | Any browser |
Google Earth Pro was made free in 2015 and remains the required platform for this workflow. Download it from google.com/earth/about/versions — it installs alongside the web version without conflict.
How Does Google Earth Pro Display Geotagged Photos?
Google Earth Pro reads a format called KMZ — a compressed archive that bundles KML markup (the location data and structure) with embedded image previews. When you open a KMZ, Google Earth reads each photo's coordinates and places a pin on the globe at that exact location.
Click a pin and a balloon popup opens showing the photo preview, the title you assigned, and the capture date. The photo itself stays embedded in the file — no external server, no internet connection required once you have the KMZ.
A track log adds a colored line connecting your shots in timestamp order, so the map shows movement rather than a scatter of pins. You can also enable thumbnail markers, which replace the default pins with small photo thumbnails — useful for scanning a dense collection without clicking each one.
What Can You Do with Geotagged Photos in Google Earth?
Travel documentation
Trek reports, expedition logs, and adventure journals. A Kilimanjaro ascent becomes a visual record: each camp, each viewpoint, each summit photo placed on the 3D terrain you actually climbed.
Reliving a trip
Fly around the globe visiting your own photo spots. Google Earth's tour mode lets you animate a journey through your locations in sequence — nostalgia with geography.
Sharing with family
One KMZ file, and anyone can open it in Google Earth (free). No account, no upload, no photo-sharing service. They see exactly what you saw — on the actual terrain.
Real estate
Property photos pinned to the building, with neighborhood context from the 3D satellite view. Show proximity to landmarks, parks, and infrastructure without a separate map.
Professional documentation
Wildlife surveys, fieldwork, journalism, environmental monitoring. The terrain and satellite imagery give each image its geographic context — where exactly you were standing, what was around you.
Which Tool Should You Use to Export Photos to Google Earth?
Several applications can create KMZ files from geotagged photos. The right choice depends on your platform, budget, and existing workflow.
| Tool | Platform | Cost | KMZ Export | GPS Track Line | Apple Photos Integration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HoudahGeo | Mac only | Paid (~$30) | ✓ Built-in | ✓ GPX or synthesized | ✓ Direct library access |
| Adobe Lightroom Classic | Mac / Win | Subscription | ⚠ Plugin required | ✗ No | Catalog only |
| GPicSync | Mac / Win / Linux | Free | ✓ KML export | ✓ From GPX | ✗ No |
| ExifTool | Mac / Win / Linux | Free | ✓ Via script | ✓ Via script | ✗ No |
| Google My Maps | Browser | Free | ⚠ Import only, 5 MB limit | ⚠ If in KMZ | ✗ No |
| GeoSetter | Windows only | Free | ✓ KML export | ✓ From GPX | ✗ No |
How Do You Create a KMZ File from Geotagged Photos on Mac?
The basic steps are the same in all tools: load the photos, optionally add a GPS track log, export to KMZ. Here is the detailed workflow for each major option.
How to Export a KMZ from HoudahGeo
HoudahGeo (Mac) follows a three-step Load / Process / Output workflow. Here's how the Google Earth export fits into it:
Load. Use Load > Add Photos from Files… to import photos from disk. HoudahGeo can also browse your Apple Photos library or a Lightroom Classic catalog directly. Photos with GPS coordinates appear on the map right away.
If you have a GPS track log from a dedicated logger, smartphone, or GPS watch, add it here too via Load > Import Track Logs and Waypoints from Files…. The track log draws the full path between shots, including the stretches where you weren't photographing.
Process (if needed). If some photos have no GPS — say, DSLR shots mixed in with geotagged smartphone photos — use Process > Geocode from Reference Photos… to match them by timestamp. HoudahGeo transfers coordinates from the geotagged photos to the unlabelled ones. Write the result back to the files with Output > EXIF/XMP Export… before exporting.
Output. Choose Output > Google Earth Export… from the menu bar:
- Set a title — this becomes the layer name in Google Earth.
- Choose a template:
Defaultshows photo, title, and date in the balloon;Extended Track Infoadds altitude, speed, and heading if available. - Set altitude mode:
Clamp to Ground(recommended) places pins at ground level;Absoluteuses the GPS altitude from EXIF. - Configure preview image sizes. Smaller previews mean a smaller, faster-opening KMZ. 640 px wide is a practical default.
- Optionally synthesize a track log from the photo locations: set how many minutes before the first photo and after the last to extend the line. If you imported a real GPS track in the Load step, skip this.
- Choose output: Google Earth KMZ file — a single file, easiest to share.
Double-click the saved KMZ to open it in Google Earth Pro. Your photos appear as pins on the 3D globe.
Geotagged smartphone photos mixed with DSLR shots?
A common setup: you carry a smartphone (GPS) and a DSLR (no GPS) on the same trip. Load everything into HoudahGeo via Load > Add Photos from Files…, then use Process > Geocode from Reference Photos…. HoudahGeo matches each DSLR shot to the nearest smartphone photo by timestamp and copies the location. Write the coordinates to the DSLR files with Output > EXIF/XMP Export…, then export to KMZ. Both cameras end up on the same map.
Managing KMZ File Size: Preview Image Settings
A KMZ file embeds a scaled-down preview image of each photo. File size = number of photos × preview size. At 640px wide, a typical JPEG preview is 80–150 KB; 100 photos produce a 8–15 MB KMZ. That's fine for local use in Google Earth Pro but too large to email or import to Google My Maps (5 MB per-layer limit).
HoudahGeo's Google Earth Export dialog has a "Preview image size" slider that controls this. The original files are never modified — only the embedded previews are scaled.
| Use Case | Preview Width | Size per Photo | 100-Photo KMZ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google My Maps import | 240 px | ~15–25 KB | ~2 MB |
| Sharing via email | 320 px | ~30–50 KB | ~4 MB |
| Local desktop viewing | 640 px | ~80–150 KB | ~12 MB |
| High-quality presentation | 1024 px | ~200–400 KB | ~30 MB |
Other Tools for Exporting Photos to Google Earth
If you use a different workflow or need a free option, here are the main alternatives — with honest notes on what each does and doesn't do well.
Adobe Lightroom Classic
Lightroom Classic's Map module displays your geotagged photos on a map and lets you assign GPS coordinates by dragging. For KMZ/KML export specifically, you need a third-party plugin — LR/Geo is the most widely used. Without a plugin, there is no built-in path to KMZ. If your photos are already in Lightroom and you don't want to add another tool, the plugin is the answer; if you're starting from scratch, a dedicated geotagging application is simpler. Lightroom also can't access your Apple Photos library directly.
GPicSync (free, open source)
GPicSync syncs GPS tracks to photos by timestamp, writes EXIF GPS to the files, and exports KML. It runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux. The practical limitation is the interface: no GUI map preview, no location search, no manual placement. The KML output is functional but unformatted — plain pins, no custom balloon templates. For users where cost is the constraint and photos are already roughly geotagged or have a GPX track, GPicSync gets the job done. See GPS File Formats for notes on GPX compatibility.
ExifTool (command line)
ExifTool can read EXIF GPS from photos and generate a KML output file. The basic command: exiftool -p kml.fmt -r photos/ > output.kml. A kml.fmt format template is available from the ExifTool documentation. This is the most flexible option — handles virtually any file format, any operating system — but requires comfort with the command line and some scripting to get a polished result. For users already running ExifTool in their pipeline, adding KML output is a small step.
Can You Share Geotagged Photos Without Google Earth?
If the people you want to share with won't install Google Earth Pro, Google My Maps is a workable browser alternative.
Go to mymaps.google.com, create a new project, click Import on a layer, and upload your KMZ. My Maps places the photo pins on a flat satellite map and generates a shareable link — no software required for viewers.
Good for sharing without software installs
Google My Maps is the best option when you want to send someone a link they can open in a browser. It shows your photo pins on a map with the route line, accessible on any device. The 5 MB per-layer import limit and the absence of 3D terrain are the trade-offs vs. Google Earth Pro.
Three things to know about My Maps: the 5 MB per-layer import limit means large collections need smaller preview sizes or split across layers; the map is flat 2D (no 3D terrain, no flythrough); and new projects are public by default — set sharing to "Anyone with the link" if you want to restrict access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a KMZ file?
A KMZ file is a compressed archive that bundles KML markup (location data and structure) with embedded image previews. Google Earth Pro reads KMZ files and places a pin on the 3D globe for each photo at its exact GPS coordinates. KMZ files are self-contained — no internet connection required once you have the file.
Do I need Google Earth Pro or will the web version work?
You need Google Earth Pro — the free desktop application for Mac, Windows, and Linux. The web version and the mobile app do not support KMZ files with embedded photos. See the version comparison table above.
Can I view a KMZ file without Google Earth?
Yes. Import the KMZ at mymaps.google.com to see photo pins on a flat satellite map in a browser, shareable as a link. Or open the KMZ in the free QGIS desktop application. Google My Maps is easiest for casual sharing; QGIS is for users who need geographic analysis tools.
How do I add a route line to my KMZ, not just photo pins?
Two ways: (1) Load a GPX track log in HoudahGeo before exporting — the track becomes the route line in the KMZ. (2) Use HoudahGeo's "Synthesize track from photo locations" option — it draws a line between photos in timestamp order. A real GPS track is more accurate; the synthesized option works when no GPX is available.
Why do some photos have no pin in Google Earth after export?
Photos without GPS coordinates in their EXIF metadata are not placed on the map — they have no coordinates to pin. Open the photos in HoudahGeo: if no location shows in the map view, those files have no GPS. Geotag them first using a GPX track log, reference photo geocoding, or manual placement, then re-export. See also Geotagging DSLR and Mirrorless Photos if the missing photos are from a camera.
Can I share geotagged photos without Google Earth?
Yes. Google My Maps accepts KMZ imports and displays photo pins on a flat satellite map that anyone can view in a browser — no software installation required. Note the 5 MB import limit per layer and the absence of 3D terrain.
What if my DSLR photos have no GPS but my smartphone photos do?
Load all photos into HoudahGeo, then use Process > Geocode from Reference Photos. HoudahGeo matches each DSLR shot to the nearest smartphone photo by timestamp and copies the GPS coordinates. Write the result to the DSLR files with Output > EXIF/XMP Export, then export the full set to KMZ. Both cameras end up on the same map. See Geotagging DSLR and Mirrorless Photos for all methods.
Further reading
- Tell the Story of Your Photos — geotagging as narrative, maps as context
- GPX Track Logs — how to record a GPS track and sync it to your photos
- How to Geotag Photos on Mac — start here if your photos have no GPS coordinates yet
- What is Geotagging? — the EXIF/XMP metadata standards behind GPS coordinates in photos
- Apple Photos Locations vs. True Geotagging — why embedded GPS matters for Google Earth workflows