Google Photos Storage Limit: How It Works

Google Photos used to offer unlimited free storage for compressed photos, but that changed in 2021. Now, every photo and video you back up counts against your Google Account storage limit. This guide explains exactly how the current storage system works, what counts against your quota, and how to manage your space effectively.

What You’ll Need

A Google Account (free or paid)
Access to Google Photos on the web (photos.google.com) or the mobile app
Optional: Google One subscription details if you want to upgrade

Step-by-Step

Know your storage quota. Every Google Account gets 15 GB of free storage shared across Google Photos, Gmail, and Google Drive. If you have a Google One plan, that shared quota is larger (100 GB, 200 GB, 2 TB, etc.).
Check what counts against your quota. Photos and videos backed up in “Original quality” always count. Photos and videos backed up in “Storage saver” (formerly “High quality”) also count since June 1, 2021. Items backed up before that date in Storage saver do not count.
Understand what does NOT count. Items you delete from Google Photos, items shared with you that you haven’t saved, and photos you upload to a shared album (if the owner hasn’t used their quota) don’t count. Also, any photos backed up in Storage saver before June 1, 2021 are grandfathered and free.
Check your current usage. Go to one.google.com/storage or open the Google Photos app, tap your profile picture, then “Storage”. You’ll see a breakdown of how much space Photos, Gmail, and Drive are using.
Change your backup quality. In the Google Photos app, go to Settings > Backup > Upload size. Choose “Storage saver” to reduce file sizes (and use less quota) or “Original quality” to keep full resolution (uses more quota).
Manage existing items. Use the “Storage management” tool in Google Photos (Settings > Storage management) to find and delete blurry photos, screenshots, videos over a certain size, or items you’ve already backed up elsewhere.
Free up space on your device. The “Free up device storage” option (in the Photos app) removes photos and videos from your device that are already backed up. This doesn’t affect your Google quotaâ€”it just clears local storage.
If you hit the limit, you have options. You can buy more storage via Google One, delete items, or use the “Recover storage” tool to compress existing original-quality items to Storage saver (this only works for items that are eligible).

Common Mistakes

Assuming “free unlimited” still exists. It doesn’t for new uploads. Only items uploaded before June 1, 2021 in Storage saver are free.
Confusing device storage with cloud storage. Backing up to Google Photos does not free up space on your phone unless you explicitly use “Free up device storage.”
Deleting photos from your device thinking it frees Google quota. If the photo is already backed up, deleting the local copy only frees device space, not cloud space. To free cloud space, delete the item from Google Photos itself.
Sharing albums and expecting it to not count. If you upload to a shared album, those items count against your quota, not the other members’ quotas.

Tips

Use “Storage saver” for everyday photosâ€”most people can’t tell the difference on a phone screen.
Set a reminder to review your storage every few months using the storage management tool.
If you have a lot of videos, consider exporting them to an external drive or another service, as videos use quota much faster than photos.
Use Google One’s family sharing to pool storage across up to 5 family members.
Take advantage of the “Recover storage” tool if you have old original-quality items you’d be fine with compressing.

Troubleshooting

Backup is stuck or not uploading. Check your internet connection, ensure you have enough free space on your device, and make sure backup is enabled in Settings > Backup. If it’s still stuck, restart the app or your device.
You can’t upload because you’re over quota. You’ll see a warning. Either delete items, compress existing items, or upgrade your storage. Uploads will fail until you free space or upgrade.
Storage saver option is not available. In some regions or for some account types, the option might be called “High quality” or be under a different name. Check the app version and update if needed.
Your storage usage seems higher than expected. Check if Gmail or Drive is using a lot of spaceâ€”they share the same quota. Also, check if you have any large videos or RAW files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do photos uploaded before June 1, 2021 count against my storage?

Only if they were uploaded in Original quality. Photos uploaded in Storage saver (High quality) before that date are exempt and do not count.

What happens if I exceed my storage limit?

You won’t be able to back up new photos or videos until you free space or upgrade. Your existing photos remain accessible, but you won’t be able to send or receive emails in Gmail either (since it’s shared).

Does deleting a photo from my phone delete it from Google Photos?

If you have backup enabled, deleting from your device does not delete it from Google Photos. You must delete it within the Google Photos app or website to remove it from the cloud.

Can I back up unlimited photos in “Storage saver” anymore?

No. Since June 1, 2021, all new uploads in Storage saver count against your 15 GB quota.

What is the difference between “Original quality” and “Storage saver”?

Original quality keeps the exact file as taken. Storage saver compresses photos to 16 MP and videos to 1080p, which uses less storage space.

Can I buy more storage just for Google Photos?

No. Google One storage is shared across Photos, Gmail, and Drive. You can’t buy storage for Photos only.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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