Google Photos has revolutionized the way we store, manage, and share our memories. With its advanced features, seamless integration, and generous storage capacity, it’s no wonder that millions of users rely on Google Photos to safeguard their precious moments. However, the question on everyone’s mind is: how can I get unlimited Google Photos storage? In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Google Photos, exploring its features, limitations, and most importantly, ways to maximize your storage capacity.
Understanding Google Photos Storage
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of unlimited storage, it’s essential to comprehend how Google Photos storage works. Google Photos offers two types of storage: High Quality and Original Quality.
High Quality Storage
High Quality storage is the default setting for Google Photos. It compresses your photos and videos to reduce file size, making it easier to store and share them. With High Quality storage, you can store an unlimited number of photos and videos, but there’s a catch – the compressed files may lose some of their original quality.
Original Quality Storage
Original Quality storage, on the other hand, preserves the original quality of your photos and videos. However, this type of storage counts towards your Google Drive storage quota. If you’re using Original Quality storage, you’ll need to keep an eye on your storage capacity, as it can fill up quickly.
Google Photos Storage Limitations
While Google Photos offers generous storage capacity, there are some limitations to be aware of:
- 15 GB Free Storage: Google provides 15 GB of free storage, shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. If you’re using Original Quality storage, this quota can be quickly consumed.
- File Size Limitations: Google Photos has file size limitations for photos and videos. Photos can be up to 75 MB in size, while videos can be up to 10 GB.
- Upload Limitations: There’s a limit to the number of files you can upload to Google Photos per day. This limit is 50,000 files per day for High Quality storage and 10,000 files per day for Original Quality storage.
Ways to Get Unlimited Google Photos Storage
Now that we’ve explored the limitations of Google Photos storage, let’s discuss ways to maximize your storage capacity:
Google One Subscription
Google One is a subscription-based service that offers additional storage capacity for Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. With a Google One subscription, you can get:
- 100 GB: $1.99/month or $19.99/year
- 200 GB: $3.99/month or $39.99/year
- 2 TB: $9.99/month or $99.99/year
- 10 TB: $49.99/month or $499.99/year
- 20 TB: $99.99/month or $999.99/year
- 30 TB: $149.99/month or $1,499.99/year
Google Pixel Devices
If you own a Google Pixel device, you’re eligible for unlimited Original Quality storage for photos and videos taken with your device. This offer is exclusive to Pixel devices and is a significant perk for owners.
Google Drive Storage Upgrade
If you’re using Original Quality storage, you can upgrade your Google Drive storage capacity to get more space for your photos and videos. Google Drive storage plans start at 100 GB for $1.99/month or $19.99/year.
Third-Party Storage Services
If you’re looking for alternative storage solutions, consider third-party services like:
- Amazon Drive: Offers 5 GB of free storage, with paid plans starting at 1 TB for $6.99/month or $69.99/year.
- Microsoft OneDrive: Offers 5 GB of free storage, with paid plans starting at 50 GB for $1.99/month or $19.99/year.
- pCloud: Offers up to 10 GB of free storage, with paid plans starting at 500 GB for $3.99/month or $47.88/year.
Optimizing Your Google Photos Storage
To make the most of your Google Photos storage, follow these tips:
Use High Quality Storage
If you’re not particular about preserving the original quality of your photos and videos, use High Quality storage. This will help you store more files without consuming your storage quota.
Compress Your Files
Use file compression tools to reduce the size of your photos and videos before uploading them to Google Photos.
Delete Duplicate Files
Remove duplicate files from your Google Photos library to free up storage space.
Use Google Photos’ Built-in Features
Google Photos has built-in features like Google Photos’ Auto-Backup and Google Photos’ Storage Saver that can help you manage your storage capacity.
Conclusion
Getting unlimited Google Photos storage requires a combination of strategies, including upgrading your storage capacity, using High Quality storage, and optimizing your files. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can maximize your Google Photos storage and enjoy a seamless photo and video management experience.
| Storage Plan | Capacity | Price (Monthly) | Price (Yearly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google One | 100 GB | $1.99 | $19.99 |
| Google One | 200 GB | $3.99 | $39.99 |
| Google One | 2 TB | $9.99 | $99.99 |
| Google One | 10 TB | $49.99 | $499.99 |
| Google One | 20 TB | $99.99 | $999.99 |
| Google One | 30 TB | $149.99 | $1,499.99 |
By understanding Google Photos storage, its limitations, and the ways to maximize your storage capacity, you can enjoy a hassle-free photo and video management experience.
What is Unlimited Google Photos, and how does it work?
Unlimited Google Photos is a feature that allows users to store an unlimited number of photos and videos on Google’s cloud storage platform, Google Drive. This feature was introduced in 2015 and was available until June 2021. During this period, users could upload and store photos and videos in high quality, up to 16 megapixels for photos and 1080p for videos, without using up their Google Drive storage space.
However, it’s essential to note that this feature is no longer available for new users. As of June 2021, Google Photos storage is now counted towards the overall Google Drive storage limit, which is 15 GB for free accounts. Existing users who had already enabled the unlimited storage feature before June 2021 can continue to use it until June 2023, after which their storage will also be counted towards the overall Google Drive storage limit.
What are the benefits of using Unlimited Google Photos?
The primary benefit of using Unlimited Google Photos is the ability to store an unlimited number of photos and videos without worrying about running out of storage space. This feature is particularly useful for users who take a lot of photos and videos, as it allows them to store all their memories in one place without having to delete or manage their storage space constantly.
Another benefit of Unlimited Google Photos is the ability to access your photos and videos from anywhere, on any device, as long as you have an internet connection. This feature makes it easy to share photos and videos with friends and family, and it also allows you to view your memories on different devices, such as your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
How do I enable Unlimited Google Photos on my account?
As mentioned earlier, the Unlimited Google Photos feature is no longer available for new users. However, if you’re an existing user who had already enabled this feature before June 2021, you can continue to use it until June 2023. To check if you have Unlimited Google Photos enabled on your account, follow these steps: Open the Google Photos app on your device, tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and go to Settings.
In the Settings menu, look for the “Upload size” option. If you see “High quality (free unlimited storage)” as an option, it means you have Unlimited Google Photos enabled on your account. If you don’t see this option, it means you’re using the standard Google Photos storage, which counts towards your overall Google Drive storage limit.
What happens to my photos and videos if I exceed my Google Drive storage limit?
If you exceed your Google Drive storage limit, you won’t be able to upload new photos and videos to Google Photos. You’ll receive a notification from Google informing you that you’ve exceeded your storage limit, and you’ll need to free up space or upgrade your storage plan to continue uploading new content.
If you don’t free up space or upgrade your storage plan, your existing photos and videos will still be accessible, but you won’t be able to upload new content. You can free up space by deleting photos and videos, or you can upgrade your storage plan to get more storage space. Google offers various storage plans, including 100 GB, 200 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB, which you can purchase to get more storage space.
Can I use Unlimited Google Photos on multiple devices?
Yes, you can use Unlimited Google Photos on multiple devices, as long as you’re signed in with the same Google account. This means you can access your photos and videos on your smartphone, tablet, computer, or any other device that supports the Google Photos app.
To use Unlimited Google Photos on multiple devices, make sure you’re signed in with the same Google account on all devices. You can also use the Google Photos web app to access your photos and videos on any device with a web browser. Simply go to photos.google.com, sign in with your Google account, and you’ll be able to access all your photos and videos.
Is Unlimited Google Photos available on all Google accounts?
No, Unlimited Google Photos is not available on all Google accounts. As mentioned earlier, this feature is no longer available for new users, and it’s only available for existing users who had already enabled it before June 2021.
Additionally, Unlimited Google Photos is not available on Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) accounts, which are designed for businesses and organizations. Google Workspace accounts have different storage limits and features, and they’re not eligible for Unlimited Google Photos.
Can I share my Unlimited Google Photos storage with family members?
No, you cannot share your Unlimited Google Photos storage with family members. The Unlimited Google Photos feature is tied to your individual Google account, and it’s not possible to share it with others.
However, you can share individual photos and videos with family members or friends using the Google Photos app. You can also create shared albums and add family members or friends to them, which allows them to view and contribute to the album. But the Unlimited Google Photos storage itself cannot be shared with others.