Troubleshoot photos not backing up

If your photos and videos don't sync to your Google Account, check your backup status.

Backup is a storage service that automatically saves your photos and videos to your Google Account. These photos and videos are accessible from any device where you're signed in to your account. Learn more about backup benefits.

Check your backup status

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Photos app .
2. At the top, touch and hold, then drag down. You can find one of these status messages:
   • Backup complete: You have no more items waiting to be backed up.
   • Backup is off: 'Backup' is turned off. To turn on backup, tap Turn on backup.
   • Backing up: Your photos and videos are currently being backed up. You'll also find the number of items remaining.
   • Preparing backup or getting ready to back up: Your photos and videos are getting ready to be backed up.
   • Waiting for connection or waiting for Wi-Fi : Change your settings or connect to a Wi-Fi or mobile network.

If some items weren't backed up, Google Photos will try again to back them up. If a photo or video can't be backed up, it might not be in a supported format.

Troubleshoot your backup

Check your backup settings

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Photos app .
2. At the top, tap your profile picture or initials Google Photos settings Backup.
3. If 'Backup' is turned on, you should find these options:

• Backup account: Make sure that the account listed matches the one that you're signed in to in the Google Photos app. To find which account you're viewing in the Google Photos app, at the top, tap your profile picture or initials and find your email address at the top.
• Backup quality: Tap to change the backup quality of your photos and videos. Learn how to change your backup quality.
• Mobile data usage: You can back up your photos or videos with your mobile network instead of Wi-Fi. Charges from your service provider may apply.

Check the file size or type

Your photo or video may not upload because it doesn't meet requirements:

• Photos can't exceed 200 MB or 200 megapixels
• Videos must not exceed 10 GB

Check which photos are backed up

As your backup progresses, at the top, you can find how many photos are left and their thumbnails.

Check which photo isn’t backed up

1. Select a photo.
2. If a photo isn't backed up, at the top, you can find Back up .

Tip: To find all your backed-up photos and videos, on your computer, go to photos.google.com. Every photo and video that you find here has been backed up.

If you still have problems, send feedback to Google Photos.

Related resources

• Back up photos and videos
• Delete photos and videos
• Find lost photos and videos