SmugMug is a popular online photo storage and sharing service that enables
users to upload, organize, edit, and share photos and videos. It provides
professional photographers and hobbyists with a customizable platform to
showcase and sell their work.

While SmugMug offers convenient online access to your media library, you may
want to download the original files to your computer for backup or offline
editing purposes.

This guide will walk you through the process of downloading your SmugMug
photos and videos to your desktop or laptop using the website and mobile app.

Prerequisites for Downloading SmugMug Media

Before you can download your SmugMug photos and videos, ensure that:

• You have an active SmugMug account and are logged in.
• You have sufficient storage space on your computer. Photos and video files
  can quickly consume storage.
• You have a stable internet connection for trouble-free downloads.

Using the SmugMug Website to Download Media

Access the Photo or Video You Want to Download

• Log into your SmugMug account on the website.
• Navigate to the specific photo gallery or video that contains the media you
  want to download.
• Click on an individual photo or video to open it.

Download the Original File

• Click the download icon below the photo or video.
• Select ‘Original’ from the options. This downloads the
  full-resolution version.
• The photo or video will download to your default downloads folder.

Download Multiple Photos

• Select the photos you want to download by checking the boxes.
• Click the ‘Download’ button at the top.
• Choose ‘Original’ files.
• The photos will download as a zip folder.

Download Entire Galleries or Albums

• Navigate to the gallery page.
• Click the settings icon ⚙️.
• Choose ‘Download Album’ from the menu.
• Select file size and type. Opt for ‘Original’.
• The gallery will download as a zipped folder.

Adjust Download Settings

• You can control download settings in your account dashboard.
• Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Downloads’.
• Choose default download sizes and formats.

Using the SmugMug App to Download Media

Access the Photo or Video to Download

• Open the SmugMug app and log in.
• Browse and select the individual photo or video you want to download.

Download the Original File

• Tap the download icon below the media.
• Choose ‘Original’ to get the full resolution version.
• The file will download to your device camera roll or storage.

Download Multiple Photos

• Tap ‘Select’ at the top right to choose multiple photos.
• Tap the download icon at the top left.
• Select ‘Original’ to download full resolution copies.

Download Albums or Galleries

• Navigate to the gallery or album page.
• Tap the three dots ⋮ at the top right.
• Choose ‘Download Album’ from the menu.
• Pick ‘Original’ for full quality files.

Manage App Download Settings

• Access download preferences in the app ‘Settings’.
• Under ‘Downloads’, choose default file type and size.

Where are SmugMug Downloads Saved?

Website:

• Files download to your default computer downloads folder.

Mobile App:

• Android: Downloads are saved to internal storage or SD card.
• iOS: Files are saved to the device camera roll.

How to Find Your SmugMug Downloads

On Windows

• Go to File Explorer and open the Downloads folder.
• Or, click the arrow icon in the Chrome downloads bar.

On Mac

• Open Finder and go to Downloads folder.
• Or, click the downloads icon in the Chrome toolbar.

On Android

• Open the My Files app and go to Downloads folder.
• Or open Gallery app and look in the SmugMug or Download album.

On iPhone/iPad

• Launch the Photos app and find the SmugMug album.
• Or go to Albums > Recents to see latest downloads.

Tips for Managing SmugMug Downloads

• Check download settings occasionally to ensure you are downloading the
  optimal file size and type.
• To save space, download resized or compressed versions for mobile use.
• Move downloads from your device storage to a cloud service or external hard
  drive.
• Use SmugMug’s auto-download feature to automatically save photos you’re
  tagged in.
• Create a consistent file organization system on your computer like
  date-based folders.
• Add metadata like descriptions, tags, dates to make searches easier.
• Use a media management tool like Adobe Bridge to catalog and organize
  downloads.

Troubleshooting Problems with SmugMug Downloads

Photos Won’t Download Fully

• Check internet connection stability and speed.
• Try downloading one photo instead of batches.
• The file size may be too large. Try downloading a smaller size.

Zip File Doesn’t Unzip Properly

• Zip file may be corrupted. Re-download the album/gallery.
• Make sure you have enough storage space for unzipping.
• Use a third party unzipping tool instead of built-in software.

Can’t Find Downloads on Computer

• Look in default Downloads folder for your browser.
• Search computer for elements of file name.
• Sort folder by date modified to see latest downloads.

Files Download in Low Quality

• Adjust SmugMug download settings to Original quality.
• The photo may have been uploaded in a small size. Try re-uploading in larger
  size.
• Check computer display scaling settings if image looks pixelated.

Quick Tip to ensure your videos never go missing

Videos are precious memories and all of us never want to ever lose them to
hard disk crashes or missing drives. PicBackMan is the easiest and simplest
way to keep your videos safely backed up in one or more online accounts. 

Simply Download PicBackMan (it’s
free!), register your account, connect to your online
store and tell PicBackMan where your videos are – PicBackMan does the rest,
automatically. It bulk uploads all videos and keeps looking for new ones and
uploads those too. You don’t have to ever touch it.

Conclusion

Downloading your SmugMug photos and videos gives you flexibility in managing
and accessing your media offline. Whether using the website or mobile app, the
process is straightforward – simply select the desired photos, albums or
galleries and choose the ‘Original’ file size for optimal quality.
Maintaining good organizational habits will help you effectively manage a
growing library of SmugMug downloads on your desktop.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I select multiple photos to download on the website?

Use the checkboxes on each thumbnail to select multiple photos before clicking
the Download button.

What image file types does SmugMug allow you to download?

You can download JPG, PNG, TIFF and PSD files. Pick Original to get best
quality.

Can I resume a download if it gets interrupted?

Unfortunately no. You will have to try downloading the photo or album again
fully.

Do I have to pay extra for downloads if I’m on a Free account?

No, you can download full resolution originals for free even with a Free
account.

How long do my downloaded SmugMug files stay on my computer?

The downloads will remain on your computer indefinitely unless you manually
delete them.

What is the best way to download my entire SmugMug library?

Use the ‘Request Archive’ option to get your entire library downloaded in
onezip file.

Here’s the video tutorial that you can refer to