Important:
- Each Google Account comes with 15 GB of storage.
- You can back up as much as 15 GB each day.
You can get more storage with a Google One plan (where available). Learn more about buying storage.
Learn about your backup options
Storage saver (previously named High quality)Photos and videos are stored at a slightly reduced quality.
We renamed our High quality storage tier to Storage saver. While we’ve updated the name, your photos and videos will continue to be stored at the same quality.
- Photos and videos backed up in Storage saver quality count toward your Google Account storage.
- Photos are compressed to save space. If a photo is larger than 16 MP, it will be resized to 16 MP.
- You can print good quality 16 MP photos in sizes up to 24 inches x 16 inches.
- Videos higher than 1080p will be resized to high-definition 1080p. A video with 1080p or less will look close to the original. Some information, like closed captions, might be lost.
- In some circumstances, certain photos and videos may not be able to be compressed and will be stored at their original file size.
Photos and videos are stored in the same resolution that you took them with no change to their quality.
- Photos and videos backed up in Original quality count toward your Google Account storage.
- Recommended for photos that have more than 16 MP and videos with more than 1080p.
- Recommended for printing large banners.
Faster backup over WiFi and mobile data.
- Photos and videos backed up in Express quality count toward your Google Account storage.
- Photos may be compressed to use less mobile data. If a photo is larger than 3 MP, it will be resized to 3 MP.
- You can print good quality 3 MP photos in sizes up to 6 inches x 8 inches.
- Videos higher than 480p will be resized to standard definition 480p. A video with 480p or less will look close to the original. Some information, like closed captions, might be lost.
- In some circumstances, certain photos and videos may not be compressed and will be stored at their original file size.
Before you get started
Download and install the Google Photos app.
Reduce the size of your photos & videos
If you have photos in Original quality and want to save some storage space, change your already backed-up photos and videos to Storage saver quality (previously named High quality). This setting won't appear if you have unlimited storage for Google Photos.
Important:
- You can only recover storage once a day. Storage recovery won’t change the quality of your future uploads.
- In some circumstances, certain photos and videos may not be able to be compressed and will be stored at their original file size.
- On your Android device, open the Google Photos app
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- At the top right, tap your account profile photo or initial.
- Select Photos settings
Backup and sync
- Under “Recover storage,” tap Convert existing photos & videos to Storage saver.
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Backup and sync - On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Photos app
- Sign in to your Google Account.
- At the top right, tap your account profile photo or initial.
- Select Photos settings
- Select an upload size.
If you can't change your upload size, you might be out of storage.
- Under Back up at lower resolution, tap Resume Backup.
Important:
- If you are signed into your Google Account and use Google Photos on multiple devices, and you change your upload size for one device, it won't affect the backup setting on any other device.
- If you change your upload size from Express to either Storage saver (previously named High quality) or Original quality, Google Photos will re-upload any existing photos or videos on your device.
- You may see an option to limit backup data usage.
To limit backup data usage:
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Photos app
- At the top right, tap your account profile photo or initial.
- Select Photos settings
Back up & sync.
- Turn off cellular data to back up photos and videos.
- Under "Daily limit for backup" choose how much data Google Photos can use when automatically backing up photos and videos.
Back up & sync.If you have a Pixel phone and have set up Google Photos backup, photos and videos you take on your Pixel are automatically backed up from your phone to Google Photos. Learn more about Google Photos backup.
You can choose to back up your photos and videos either in Storage saver quality (previously named High quality) or in Original quality. Photos and videos backed up in Storage saver quality from Pixel 3a-5 are unlimited and cost $0. Photos and videos backed up in Original quality count toward your Google Account storage. Learn how to change your upload size, and learn more about storage plans.
You get unlimited storage in Original quality at no charge for all photos and videos backed up to Google Photos from Pixel 3 through Jan 31, 2022. Photos and videos backed up on or before that date will remain in Original quality at no charge. After January 31, 2022 new photos and videos will be backed up in Storage saver quality (previously named High quality) at no charge. Photos and videos backed up in Original quality will count toward your Google Account storage.
You get unlimited storage in Original quality at no charge for all photos and videos backed up to Google Photos from Pixel 2 through January 16, 2021. Photos and videos backed up on or before that date will remain in Original quality at no charge. After January 16, 2021 new photos and videos will be backed up in Storage saver quality (previously named High quality) at no charge. Photos and videos backed up in Original quality will count toward your Google Account storage.
You get unlimited storage in Original quality at no charge. You won’t be able to back up in Storage saver quality (previously named High quality).
Photos or videos won't be changed to Storage saver quality if you’ve backed them up with:
- Your Pixel (1st generation)
- Your Pixel 2 or 3 during your Original quality offer period
Photos or videos you’ve backed up on Google Photos will be updated to Storage saver quality.