Google Photos is Google’s photo and video app for Android and iOS, with the same library available in a web browser. It backs up a phone’s pictures and videos to a Google Account and lets you search, edit and share them from any signed-in device. The app is free to use. Every Google Account comes with limited free storage shared with Gmail and Drive. Google One plans add more space and extra AI editing tools.
Automatic backup and quality settings
When backup is on, Google Photos uploads new photos and videos from the camera and from any other device folders you select. An “all folders” setting also covers folders created later. A daily mobile data limit and separate switches for video uploads and roaming control how much cellular data backup uses.
Each upload uses one of the quality modes, and all of them count toward account storage:
- Original quality keeps photos and videos at the resolution they were taken in.
- Storage saver reduces photos above 16 MP to 16 MP and videos above 1080p to 1080p, and may convert photos to JPG.
- Express, offered only in some regions, shrinks photos to 3 MP and videos to 480p to save mobile data.
Clearing space on the phone
Google Photos can remove the local copies of items that are already backed up. The “Free up space” option shows how much room it will reclaim and then deletes those device copies. The items remain available in the app and on the web. Google Photos may keep items from the last 30 days on the device.
Finding photos with search and Ask Photos
Classic search in Google Photos looks for places, things and people. Once you name faces in Face Groups, a person’s or pet’s name brings up their photos. Putting a phrase in quotation marks matches exact text in filenames, captions, camera models or words visible inside a photo.
Ask Photos is an optional Gemini-based mode available in selected countries. It takes conversational questions such as what you ate on a particular trip. It works only on backed-up items and supports follow-up questions. After you opt in, the Search tab becomes Ask, and classic results remain one tap away.
Editing tools in the app
The Google Photos editor covers cropping, straightening, perspective correction and aspect ratios, plus adjustments for brightness, contrast, warmth, HDR and portrait lighting. AI Enhance offers several automatic versions to choose from. Magic Eraser removes or moves an object you tap, circle or brush, and Photo Unblur sharpens soft pictures. “Help me edit” accepts a typed or spoken description of the change you want. You can overwrite the photo and revert later, or save edits as a separate copy.
Locked Folder for private items
On Android, you open the Locked Folder with the device screen lock. Items placed there disappear from the main grid, memories, search, albums and other apps on the phone. You cannot edit or share them until you move them out. Backup for the folder is optional. Without it, the items exist only on that device. They are lost if the app’s data is cleared or the phone is reset.
Sharing, albums and memories
You can send items and albums as a link or through other apps, even to people who do not use Google Photos. Shared albums let invited people view, comment and add their own pictures. Partner sharing sends photos to one trusted person automatically, optionally limited to certain people or dates. Memories gathers selected highlights from the library so you can revisit and share them.
