Google Photos has become an essential app for managing and storing photos for countless users. With the app, users can back up their pictures and videos to their Google Account and free up space on their Android or iPhone devices. However, the rules about the storage this service provides have changed. Up until June 1, 2021, Google Photos offered unlimited storage for high quality photos and videos. After this date, any new content uploaded starts to count toward the free 15 GB of storage that comes with every Google Account.
This change in policy has led users to re-evaluate their storage options within Google Photos. Those who have a Google Pixel 5 or prior models retain some benefits, such as certain allowances for photo and video storage. Furthermore, the photos and videos backed up in high quality before the change continue to not count against the storage quota. For everyone else, it has become important to manage the storage effectively to avoid running out of space or needing to purchase additional storage through Google One.
Users can manage their storage by visiting the app and examining their backup settings as well as the storage management tools provided. This helps users better understand how long their storage may last. They can also decide whether to back up their photos in high quality, which uses less storage, or in original quality, which uses more.
Does Google Photos Have Unlimited Storage? Here’s the Clear Answer
For years, Google Photos was famous for offering “free unlimited storage,” making it one of the most popular photo backup services in the world. However, that policy has changed—and many users are still confused about what storage they actually get today.
Here’s a straightforward guide explaining whether Google Photos has unlimited storage, what counts toward your limit, and what options you have now.
Short Answer: No, Google Photos Does Not Have Unlimited Storage
As of June 1, 2021, Google Photos no longer offers unlimited free storage for photos and videos. All new uploads now count toward your Google account’s storage limit.
How Google Photos Storage Works Now
Every Google account includes 15 GB of free storage, shared across:
- Google Photos
- Google Drive
- Gmail
Once you exceed that limit, you’ll need to either delete content or upgrade to a paid storage plan.
What Happened to “High Quality” Unlimited Storage?
Before 2021, Google Photos allowed unlimited uploads in “High Quality” (compressed) mode. That option has been replaced.
What changed:
- Photos and videos uploaded after June 1, 2021 count toward storage
- Older uploads made before that date do not count against your limit
- “High Quality” is now called Storage Saver and is no longer unlimited
Are There Any Exceptions?
There are a few limited exceptions:
Pixel Phones (Older Models)
Some older Google Pixel devices still offer unlimited photo uploads under specific conditions:
- Pixel 1: Unlimited original‑quality uploads (for a limited time after release)
- Pixel 2–5: Unlimited uploads in Storage Saver quality
Newer Pixel phones do not include unlimited Google Photos storage.
Google One: The Paid Storage Option
If you need more space, Google offers Google One subscriptions.
Common plans include:
- 100 GB
- 200 GB
- 2 TB and higher
Google One storage works across all Google services and can be shared with family members.
How to Check Your Google Photos Storage Usage
To see how much space you’re using:
- Go to photos.google.com
- Click your profile picture
- Select Manage your Google Account
- Open the Storage section
Google also provides a storage management tool to help identify large files you can remove.
Tips to Maximize Your Google Photos Storage
- Use Storage Saver instead of Original Quality
- Delete blurry or duplicate photos
- Remove large videos you no longer need
- Empty the Trash folder to reclaim space
These steps can free up significant storage quickly.
Alternatives to Google Photos Unlimited Storage
If you’re looking for unlimited or cheaper options, consider:
- External hard drives
- NAS systems
- Other cloud photo services with different pricing models
Each option has trade‑offs in convenience, cost, and accessibility.
Final Verdict
Google Photos no longer offers unlimited storage for most users. Today, all new uploads count toward your shared Google account limit unless you’re using a qualifying older Pixel device.
If you take a lot of photos or videos, upgrading to Google One—or adopting a hybrid backup strategy—may be the most practical solution.
Key Takeaways
- Google Photos’ unlimited storage ended after June 1, 2021.
- Pixel 5 and earlier model users receive some unlimited storage perks.
- Storage management tools within the app help users manage their space.
Google Photos Storage Policy
Google Photos offers ways to manage space while providing options for additional storage. This includes understanding storage limits, changes to Google Photos storage policies, and purchasing options with Google One.
Understanding Storage Limits
Google Photos provides a quota of 15 GB of free storage shared across Google services like Gmail, Drive, and Photos itself. Photos and videos stored in ‘High Quality’ before June 1, 2021, do not count towards this quota. However, ‘Original Quality’ backups will count against the storage limit. Users must manage storage to stay within this limit.
Recent Changes to Google Photos
Google recently updated its storage policy. Starting from June 1, 2021, any new photo or video uploaded in ‘High Quality’ would now count towards the 15 GB storage quota. This change requires users to be more mindful of their backup quality settings and storage management to avoid overrunning the free storage limit.
Google One and Additional Storage
For users needing more space, Google provides the option to purchase additional storage through their Google One service. Google One members can buy plans starting from 100 GB and going up to 2TB or more. This subscription provides not only extra cloud storage space but also access to additional benefits and shared storage for family members.
Google Photos allows users to estimate how long their storage may last, helping them make informed decisions about their usage and potential need for additional space.
