Choose the backup quality of your photos & videos

You can change the backup quality of your photos and videos to fit your preferences or save storage space. Each Google Account comes with 15 GB of storage and you can always buy more storage or clean up your storage space.

Important: Your content may be impacted if your Google Photos account is inactive for more than 2 years or you're over your storage limit. Learn more about how to manage storage.

Learn about your backup options

Storage saver

Important: Any photos or videos you backed up in High quality, now called Storage saver, before June 1, 2021 don't count toward your Google Account storage. Learn how to check a photo's backup quality.

Photos and videos are stored at a slightly reduced quality.

• Photos and videos backed up in Storage saver count toward your Google Account storage. 
• Photos are compressed to save space. If a photo is larger than 16 MP, it'll be resized to 16 MP.
  • You can print good quality 16 MP photos in sizes up to 24 inches x 16 inches.
• Videos higher than 1080p will be resized to high-definition 1080p. A video with 1080p or less will look close to the original. Some information, like closed captions, might be lost.
• In some circumstances, certain photos and videos may not be able to be compressed and will be stored at their original file size.

Original quality

Photos and videos are stored in the same resolution that you took them with no change to their quality.

• Photos and videos backed up in Original quality count toward your Google Account storage.
• Recommended for photos that have more than 16 MP and videos with more than 1080p.
• Recommended for printing large banners.

Express

Important: Any photos or videos you’ve backed up in Express quality before June 1, 2021 don't count toward your Google Account storage.

If you can't find this option in your backup settings, it isn't available in your country or region.

• Photos and videos backed up in Express quality count toward your Google Account storage.
• Photos may be compressed to use less mobile data. If a photo is larger than 3 MP, it'll be resized to 3 MP.
• You can print good quality 3 MP photos in sizes up to 6 inches x 8 inches.
• Videos higher than 480p will be resized to standard definition 480p. A video with 480p or less will look close to the original. Some information, like closed captions, might be lost.
• In some circumstances, certain photos and videos may not be compressed and will be stored at their original file size.

 

Change your backup quality

Important: If you're out of storage, you can't change your backup quality.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Photos app .
2. At the top right, tap your Profile picture or Initial.
3. Tap Photos settings   Backup  Backup quality.
4. Select a backup quality.

Learn about changes to backup quality

• If you're signed in to your Google Account and use Google Photos on multiple devices, and you change your backup quality for one device, it won't affect the backup settings on any other device.
• If you change your backup quality from Express to either Storage saver, or Original quality, Google Photos will re-upload any existing photos or videos on your device.
• You may find an option to limit backup data usage.

Learn about Google Photos backup on your Pixel

If you turn on backup on your Pixel phone, photos and videos you take on your Pixel are automatically backed up from your phone to Google Photos. Learn more about Google Photos backup.

Pixel 3a-5

You can choose to back up your photos and videos either in Storage saver, previously named High quality, or in Original quality. Photos and videos backed up in Storage saver from Pixel 3a-5 are unlimited and at no charge. Photos and videos backed up in Original quality count toward your Google Account storage.  Learn how to change your backup quality, and learn more about storage plans.

Pixel 3

Photos and videos backed up in Original quality on or before January 31, 2022 remain in Original quality at no charge. Photos and videos backed up after January 31, 2022 are saved in Storage saver at no charge. Photos and videos backed up in Original quality count toward your Google Account storage.

Pixel 2

Photos and videos backed up in Original quality on or before January 16, 2021 remain in Original quality at no charge. Photos and videos backed up after January 16, 2021 are saved in Storage saver at no charge. Photos and videos backed up in Original quality count toward your Google Account storage.

Pixel (1st generation)

You get unlimited storage in Original quality at no charge. You won’t be able to back up in Storage saver.