Get started with Google Photos

Learn how to use Google Photos with this step-by-step guide. Some things you'll learn:

How to search your photos
How to add filters
How to restore deleted photos

Step 1: Download the app, then take a photo

Install the Google Photos app.
After installing the app, take a photo of yourself or the setting around you.

Step 2: Find photos fast

When you open the Google Photos app, you'll see all the photos and videos on your account.

Let's practice finding photos:

Find the photo you just took

Open the Google Photos app .
At the bottom, tap Photos .
You should see the photo you just took at the top. Try scrolling down to see what else is there.

Find a memorable photo from your past

Think of a memorable photo that's on your phone or tablet. Try to remember something in the photo, like a dog, the beach, or where you were.

At the bottom, tap Search .
In the Search bar at the top, type the name of something that's in the photos, like "beach" or "dog."
- Tip: You can also tap one of the search suggestions on the page.
At the bottom right of the keyboard, tap Done . This may vary by device.

Learn how to find people, things, and places in your photos.

Step 3: Edit photos & videos

Let's use the photo or video you just took and add some fun to it.

Step 4: Share your photo with someone

Let's take that photo you just edited and share it with someone.

The photo you just edited should still be on your screen.
At the bottom, tap .
Select a contact, or create a new group to send in Google Photos.

Learn more ways to share photos and videos.

Step 5: Delete blurry or unwanted photos

Take another 3 photos with your phone or tablet. Let's choose the best one and delete the rest.

Delete unwanted photos

Open the Google Photos app
At the bottom, tap Photos . You should see the 3 photos you just took.
Open each photo and choose the one you like best. When you're done, go back to the main Photos screen.
Touch and hold a photo that you want to move to trash. Select another photo you want to move to trash.
At the top right, tap Delete .

If you have backup on, things you move to trash will be moved to trash anywhere else you use Google Photos, so you only have to make changes once. Learn more ways to delete photos and videos.

Restore a photo

Imagine you change your mind and you want one of those photos back.

At the bottom, tap Library Trash. Everything you see in your trash can be recovered, but items will be permanently deleted after 60 days in the trash.
Touch and hold a photo you just deleted.
At the bottom, tap Restore. This will put the photo back into the Photos section of the app.

Learn more ways to restore photos and videos.

Allow your device's default gallery to integrate with Google Photos

You can allow Google Photos to grant access to your device’s default gallery. Learn more about device default gallery access.

About device default gallery access

When you allow Google Photos to grant access to your device’s default gallery:

You give Photos permission to share account information, like email address and Photos auto-backup status, with the gallery app.
You can access all photos backed up to Google Photos in your device’s default gallery app.

To use this feature, you must have:

Device that supports default gallery access. Supported manufacturers:
- Xiaomi
- Oppo, OnePlus, or Realme
Latest version of Google Photos app.
Android 11 or up.

When you open Photos or your device’s default gallery app, you may get a pop-up request for gallery access.

To manage your device default gallery app’s access to user data in Google Photos, tap Don’t allow or Allow.
To manage access after, you can check Photos settings or your device default gallery app settings.

Turn device default gallery access off

To turn off device default gallery access:

On your Android device, open the Google Photos app .
Sign in to your Google Account.
At the top right, tap your Profile picture or Initial.
Tap Photos settings Apps and devices Google Photos access.
Tap the device’s default gallery app name.
Select Remove access.

Turn device default gallery access on

Important: To allow your device’s default gallery app access to user data in Google Photos again, you must use the device’s default gallery app. Your device’s default gallery app may refer to Google Photos access as “cloud-sync” or “cloud-backup.”

If you clear your Photos app data, uninstall Photos, reset your device, or get a new device, you must allow gallery access again. To turn on device default gallery access:

On your Android device, open the device’s default gallery app.
Go to Settings.
To grant permission for Google Photos to share data with the device default gallery app, follow the on-screen instructions.

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