Are you tired of running out of storage space on your Google Photos account? Do you want to store all your precious memories without worrying about the storage limits? If so, you’re in luck! In this article, we’ll show you how to get unlimited Google Photos storage for free.
What is Google Photos?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of getting unlimited storage, let’s first understand what Google Photos is. Google Photos is a photo and video sharing service developed by Google. It allows users to store, organize, and share their photos and videos across multiple devices. With Google Photos, you can access your files from anywhere, and it also offers advanced features like automatic organization, search, and editing tools.
Why Do You Need Unlimited Google Photos Storage?
With the rise of smartphone cameras, we’re taking more photos and videos than ever before. According to a report by Mylio, the average person takes around 900 photos per year. That’s a lot of storage space! If you’re using your phone’s internal storage or a cloud storage service with limited space, you might be worried about running out of room. That’s where unlimited Google Photos storage comes in.
How Does Google Photos Storage Work?
Google Photos offers two types of storage plans: free and paid. The free plan comes with 15 GB of storage space, which is shared across your Google account, including Gmail and Google Drive. The paid plan, Google One, starts at $1.99 per month for 100 GB of storage space.
However, there’s a loophole to get unlimited storage space for free. If you have a Google Pixel phone or any other device eligible for the Google Photos unlimited storage offer, you can store unlimited photos and videos at original quality until June 1, 2021.
Devices Eligible for Unlimited Google Photos Storage
The following devices are eligible for unlimited Google Photos storage at original quality:
- Google Pixel (2016)
- Google Pixel XL (2016)
- Google Pixel 2 (2017)
- Google Pixel 2 XL (2017)
- Google Pixel 3 (2018)
- Google Pixel 3 XL (2018)
- Google Pixel 3a (2019)
- Google Pixel 3a XL (2019)
- Google Pixel 4 (2019)
- Google Pixel 4 XL (2019)
- Google Pixel 4a (2020)
- Google Pixel 4a (5G) (2020)
- Google Pixel 5 (2020)
- Google Pixel 5 XL (2020)
How to Get Unlimited Google Photos Storage for Free
If you have one of the eligible devices, you can follow these steps to get unlimited Google Photos storage for free:
Step 1: Set Up Your Google Photos Account
If you haven’t already, create a Google account and download the Google Photos app on your eligible device.
Step 2: Enable Original Quality Uploads
Open the Google Photos app, go to the settings menu, and make sure that “Original quality” is selected as the upload quality. This will ensure that your photos and videos are uploaded at their original quality, and you’ll get unlimited storage space for free.
Step 3: Back Up Your Photos and Videos
Go to the Google Photos app, tap on the “Backup & sync” option, and select “Upload” to start backing up your photos and videos. Make sure that your device is connected to a stable internet connection and has enough battery life.
Step 4: Verify Your Device
To verify that you have an eligible device, go to the Google Photos app, tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and go to “Settings” > “Account” > “Device.” You should see a message indicating that your device is eligible for unlimited original-quality storage.
Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Your Google Photos Storage
While you’re enjoying unlimited Google Photos storage for free, here are some tips and tricks to help you maximize your storage space:
Use the “High Quality” Upload Option
If you’re running low on storage space, consider using the “High quality” upload option instead of “Original quality.” This will compress your files, reducing their size and saving storage space.
Organize Your Photos and Videos
Use Google Photos’ advanced organization features to categorize your photos and videos. This will help you find what you’re looking for quickly and easily.
Use Google Photos’ Editing Tools
Google Photos offers advanced editing tools that can help you enhance your photos and videos. Use these tools to edit your files instead of downloading third-party apps.
Delete Duplicates and Low-Quality Files
Delete duplicates and low-quality files to free up storage space and make it easier to find what you’re looking for.
Conclusion
Getting unlimited Google Photos storage for free is a dream come true for many of us. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can enjoy unlimited storage space for your photos and videos. Remember to take advantage of Google Photos’ advanced features, tips, and tricks to maximize your storage space. Happy snapping!
What is the difference between High Quality and Original Quality in Google Photos?
Google Photos offers two types of image quality: High Quality and Original Quality. High Quality compresses your images to reduce their file size, making them easier to store and upload, but still maintaining a high level of visual quality. Original Quality, on the other hand, stores your images in their original resolution and file size, without any compression.
It’s worth noting that if you choose High Quality, you’ll get unlimited free storage, whereas Original Quality will count towards your Google Drive storage quota. If you’re looking to save storage space and still maintain a high level of image quality, High Quality is a great option. However, if you’re a professional photographer or need to store high-resolution images for other reasons, Original Quality might be the better choice.
How do I switch to High Quality in Google Photos?
To switch to High Quality in Google Photos, follow these steps: Open the Google Photos app, tap the hamburger menu icon (three horizontal lines) on the top left, and then tap “Settings.” Scroll down to the “Account” section and tap “Original quality & size.” From there, select “High quality (free unlimited storage)” to enable unlimited free storage.
Note that if you’ve already uploaded images in Original Quality, switching to High Quality will not retroactively compress those images. However, any new images you upload after making the switch will be compressed to High Quality. You can also upgrade to Original Quality at any time, but keep in mind that you’ll start using up your Google Drive storage quota.
Can I still use Google Photos if I’m not a Google Pixel owner?
Yes, anyone can use Google Photos, regardless of the type of device they own. While Google Pixel owners do get some exclusive features, such as unlimited Original Quality storage, the core features of Google Photos are available to everyone. This includes the ability to upload and store an unlimited number of High Quality images and videos, as well as access to features like automatic organization, editing tools, and sharing capabilities.
Whether you’re an iPhone or Android user, or even use a standalone camera, you can still take advantage of Google Photos’ features. Simply download the app, sign in with your Google account, and start uploading and organizing your media.
How does Google Photos organize my photos and videos?
Google Photos uses advanced machine learning algorithms to automatically organize your photos and videos into collections, albums, and categories. This means that your media is automatically grouped by events, dates, people, and places, making it easy to find and share specific images or videos. You can also create your own custom albums and add tags or descriptions to individual images or videos to further organize your collection.
Additionally, Google Photos includes features like “Memories,” which creates automated movies and collages from your photos and videos, and “Assistant,” which suggests changes to your images, such as automatic rotation or brightness adjustment.
Can I use Google Photos on my computer?
Yes, you can access Google Photos on your computer by visiting photos.google.com in your web browser. From there, you can upload, view, organize, and share your photos and videos, just as you would on the mobile app. You can also use the Google Photos desktop uploader to upload your media from your computer.
The web version of Google Photos also includes features like automatic organization, editing tools, and sharing capabilities. Additionally, you can access your Google Photos media on multiple devices, as long as you’re signed in with the same Google account.
How does Google Photos handle video storage?
Google Photos offers unlimited free storage for videos up to 1080p resolution, as long as you’re using the High Quality setting. If you need to store videos in higher resolutions, such as 2K or 4K, you’ll need to upgrade to Original Quality, which will count towards your Google Drive storage quota.
It’s worth noting that if you have a large collection of high-resolution videos, you may need to upgrade to a paid Google Drive storage plan to accommodate your storage needs. However, for most users, the High Quality setting will provide plenty of free storage space for their videos.
Can I use Google Photos for business or professional purposes?
While Google Photos is primarily designed for personal use, there’s no reason you can’t use it for business or professional purposes as well. In fact, many professionals use Google Photos to store and organize their work-related media, including photographers, videographers, and social media managers.
That being said, if you need more advanced features or higher levels of storage and security, you may want to consider using Google Drive or Google Cloud Storage, which offer more robust features and customization options for business users. However, for many small businesses or solo entrepreneurs, Google Photos can be a convenient and cost-effective solution for media storage and management.