How Google Drive works with Google Photos

You can upload or back up photos and videos from both Google Drive and Google Photos, but here are some ways we recommend using each:

You can use Google Photos to:

• Edit and share photos and videos.
• Organize with albums.
• Search by date, place, or people.
• Back up photos and videos.

Learn more about Google Photos.

You can use Google Drive to:

• Organize photos and videos into folders.
• Keep all your files in one place.
• Share or insert photos into Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
• Upload or sync files to view them anywhere.

Back up photos & videos

You can back up your photos using Google Photos or Google Drive. To avoid storing duplicates, we recommend backing up using one app. Learn how to back up using :

• Google Photos
• Google Drive

Storage & cost

Your photos and videos are stored using your Google Account's storage space. You have 15 GB of free storage, but you can buy more.

The amount of space your photos and videos use depends on your storage setting and which product you use. Learn how to change your storage setting.

• Items uploaded via Google Drive count against your storage quota, regardless of size.
• Items uploaded via Google Photos:
  • Don't use quota if they're stored in "High quality."
  • Do use quota if they're stored in "Original quality."

Privacy

Photos and videos backed up from your device are private unless you decide to share them.

Deleting photos & videos

View & edit photos stored in Google Drive using Google Photos

If you have photos in Google Drive that you want to view or edit using Google Photos, you can turn on this setting in Google Photos.

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. At the top left, tap Menu .
3. Tap Settings.
4. Turn on the Google Drive setting.

Notes:

• If you edit photos in Google Photos, those changes will not show in Google Drive.
• If your account is through work, school, or other groups, you won't be able to turn this setting on.