Choose the upload size of your photos & videos

You can change the backup quality of your photos and videos to fit your preferences, or to clean up your storage space.

Important:

• Each Google Account comes with 15 GB of storage.
• You can back up as much as 15 GB each day.

You can get more storage with a Google One plan (where available). Learn more about buying storage.

Learn about your backup options

Storage saver (previously named High quality)

Photos and videos are stored at a slightly reduced quality.

We renamed our High quality storage tier to Storage saver. While we’ve updated the name, your photos and videos will continue to be stored at the same quality.

• Photos and videos backed up in Storage saver quality count toward your Google Account storage. 
• Photos are compressed to save space. If a photo is larger than 16 MP, it will 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.

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

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

If you don't see this option in your backup settings, it isn't available in your region.

Faster backup over WiFi and mobile data.

• 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 will 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.

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

Before you get started

Download and install the Google Photos app.

Reduce the size of your photos & videos

If you have photos in Original quality and want to save some storage space, change your already backed-up photos and videos to Storage saver quality (previously named High quality). This setting won't appear if you have unlimited storage for Google Photos.

Important: 

• You can only recover storage once a day. Storage recovery won’t change the quality of your future uploads. 
• In some circumstances, certain photos and videos may not be able to be compressed and will be stored at their original file size.

1. On your Android device, open the Google Photos app .
2. At the top right, tap your account profile photo or initial.
3. Select Photos settings  Backup and sync  Manage storage.
4. Under “Recover storage,” tap Convert existing photos & videos to Storage saver.

Change your upload size

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Photos app .
2. Sign in to your Google Account.
3. At the top right, tap your account profile photo or initial.
4. Select Photos settings   Back up & sync  Upload size.
5. Select an upload size.

If you can't change your upload size, you might be out of storage.

• Under Back up at lower resolution, tap Resume Backup.

Learn more about your options when you run out of storage.

Important:

• If you are signed into your Google Account and use Google Photos on multiple devices, and you change your upload size for one device, it won't affect the backup setting on any other device.
• If you change your upload size from Express to either Storage saver (previously named High quality) or Original quality, Google Photos will re-upload any existing photos or videos on your device.
• You may see an option to limit backup data usage.

To limit backup data usage:

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Photos app .
2. At the top right, tap your account profile photo or initial.
3. Select Photos settings    Back up & sync.
4. Turn off cellular data to back up photos and videos. 
5. Under "Daily limit for backup" choose how much data Google Photos can use when automatically backing up photos and videos.

Pixel storage info

Important: If you have a Pixel 5 device or earlier, your current backup options and benefits remain unchanged. Photos and videos backed up in Storage saver quality (previously named High quality) from your Pixel 2 through 5 devices will continue to receive unlimited storage at no cost. However, as of June 1, 2021 any new photos or videos you back up from other devices in Storage saver quality will count toward your Google Account storage.

If you have a Pixel phone and have set up Google Photos backup, 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 quality (previously named High quality) or in Original quality. Photos and videos backed up in Storage saver quality from Pixel 3a-5 are unlimited and cost $0. Photos and videos backed up in Original quality count toward your Google Account storage. Learn how to change your upload size, and learn more about storage plans.

Pixel 3

You get unlimited storage in Original quality at no charge for all photos and videos backed up to Google Photos from Pixel 3 through Jan 31, 2022. Photos and videos backed up on or before that date will remain in Original quality at no charge. After January 31, 2022 new photos and videos will be backed up in Storage saver quality (previously named High quality) at no charge. Photos and videos backed up in Original quality will count toward your Google Account storage.

Pixel 2

You get unlimited storage in Original quality at no charge for all photos and videos backed up to Google Photos from Pixel 2 through January 16, 2021. Photos and videos backed up on or before that date will remain in Original quality at no charge. After January 16, 2021 new photos and videos will be backed up in Storage saver quality (previously named High quality) at no charge. Photos and videos backed up in Original quality will 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 quality (previously named High quality).

Photos or videos won't be changed to Storage saver quality if you’ve backed them up with:

• Your Pixel (1st generation)
• Your Pixel 2 or 3 during your Original quality offer period

Photos or videos you’ve backed up on Google Photos will be updated to Storage saver quality.

Important: If your Google Photos account becomes inactive for over 2 years or you are over your storage limit, your content may be impacted. Learn more about this.