Get started with Google Photos

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

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

Step 1: Open Photos

1. Open photos.google.com.
2. Sign in to your Google Account.

Step 2: Find photos fast

When you open Google Photos, you'll see all the photos and videos on your device and, if you turned on 'back up & sync', anything else synced to your Google Photos library.

Find photos

1. On your computer, go to photos.google.com.
2. On the left, click Photos .
3. Scroll down to see all of your photos. 

Find a memorable photo from your past

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

1. In the box at the top, type the name of something that's in the photo, such as 'beach', 'dog' or 'Paris'.
2. Press enter and you will see photos matching your search.

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

Do other things with your photos

Add a filter to your photo

1. On your computer, go to photos.google.com.
2. On the left, click Photos .
3. Select a photo.
4. At the top, click Edit   Filter .
5. Click through the filters on the right. Select a few to see how they look.
6. Tip: To adjust the intensity, drag the blue dot along the scroll bar.
7. At the top, click Done.

If you have 'Backup and Sync' on, your edits will sync across anywhere else you use Google Photos, so you only have to make changes once. Learn how to do other cool things with your photos.

Share your photo with someone

1. On your computer, go to photos.google.com.
2. On the left, click Photos .
3. Open a photo.
4. At the top-right, click Share Get link  Copy.
5. Use a messaging or email app to send someone the link that you've just copied.

Learn more ways to share photos and videos.

Delete blurry or unwanted photos

1. On your computer, go to photos.google.com.
2. On the left, click Photos . 
3. Hover over the photo that you want to delete, then click Select . You can also select multiple photos.
4. At the top-right, click Delete   Move to trash.

If you have 'Backup and Sync' on, things that you move to bin will be moved to bin anywhere else you use Google Photos, so you only have to make changes once. Learn more about deleting photos and videos.

Restore a photo

What about if you change your mind and you want that photo back?

1. On your computer, open photos.google.com.
2. At the top-left, click Menu Trash. Everything that you see in your bin can be recovered, but items will be permanently deleted after they have been in the bin for 60 days.
3. Hover over the photo that you just deleted and click Select .
4. At the top-right, click Restore . This will put the photo back.

Learn more about restoring photos and videos.