Yes, Google Photos is free to use, but not with unlimited storage. Google says every Google account includes up to 15 GB of storage shared across Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos, and photos and videos you back up count toward it. When it's full, you can clear space or buy more storage with a Google One membership.
For years Google Photos offered free unlimited backups in high quality, which is why so many people still think it's completely free. That changed in 2021. Today the app is free, but your photos share one storage pot with your email and documents, and for anyone who takes a lot of pictures on their phone, that's where the question of cost comes in.
What counts toward your free 15 GB
Google's storage help page lists what uses your Google account storage. For Google Photos, that's:
- Photos and videos backed up in Original quality
- Photos and videos backed up in Storage saver (previously called High quality) or Express quality after 1 June 2021
The same 15 GB also covers your Gmail messages and attachments, including Spam and Trash, files in Google Drive, files you create or edit in Google Docs, Sheets, Slides and the other Google apps, and data managed through Android backup.
What doesn't count
There's one exception that matters a lot if you've used Google Photos for years. Google says photos and videos you backed up in High quality or Express quality before 1 June 2021 don't count toward your storage. So an older library may be using less of your 15 GB than you'd expect.
Older photos backed up in Original quality still count, though, and Google notes that inactive libraries backed up in Original quality still take up space. Files in folders other people share with you count against the owner's storage, not yours, unless you make a copy.
Storage saver vs Original quality
| Backup quality | Counts toward storage? | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Original quality | Yes | Photographers, print work and anything you may need at full resolution |
| Storage saver | Yes (if backed up after 1 June 2021) | Everyday phone photos where a slightly smaller file is fine |
| High quality or Express before 1 June 2021 | No | Older libraries; nothing to change |
Both current options count toward your storage, so switching to Storage saver doesn't make backups free. It just makes each photo take up less of the 15 GB.
What happens when your storage is full
Because it's one shared pot, a full account isn't only a photo problem. Every video your phone backs up leaves less room for Gmail and Drive as well, so a busy camera roll can squeeze your business email and documents. That's why it's worth checking your storage before it becomes urgent rather than after.
Google also notes that after you delete a large number of files, it normally takes up to 48 to 72 hours for your storage figure to update. If you've cleared space and the number hasn't moved yet, give it a couple of days.
How to free up space without paying
- Check what's using your storage in your Google account's storage page.
- Delete large videos you don't need from Google Photos, then empty the trash.
- Clear Gmail's Spam and Trash folders and delete emails with big attachments.
- Remove old files from Google Drive, including the Drive trash.
- Switch future backups to Storage saver if full resolution isn't essential for you.
My guide on how to free up space on Google Drive, Gmail and Photos goes through each step in detail.
When paying for more storage makes sense
If you've cleared what you can and you're still near the limit, Google's route is a Google One membership, where available. Google also says you may occasionally receive extra storage from a promotion or a related purchase. For a small business keeping client photos, product shots or event videos, extra storage is often cheaper than the time spent constantly deleting.
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Before you upgrade, it's worth comparing other options. My comparison of Google Photos and iCloud helps if you use an iPhone, and my roundup of Google Photos alternatives covers other places to store your library.
A quick storage audit
Before deciding anything, spend ten minutes on a quick audit of where your space has gone. Open your Google account's storage page and note the split between Gmail, Drive and Photos. If Photos is the biggest slice, look for videos first, because videos usually take up far more space than photos. If Gmail is the biggest, search for emails with large attachments and clear old ones you no longer need. If Drive is the biggest, sort by file size and look for old backups, duplicate exports and large files you've already saved elsewhere.
Tips for business owners
- Keep business photos in a separate Google account so personal backups don't eat into your work storage.
- Back up raw client files to Drive in a dedicated folder, and delete phone copies once they're safe.
- Turn off backup for apps that save lots of screenshots and downloads you don't need.
- Review storage every quarter so it never catches you out.
My verdict
Google Photos is free, but your backups share 15 GB with Gmail and Drive, and that's what runs out. Check your storage page today, clear the big videos first, and decide whether Storage saver is good enough for you. If you're still near the limit after a tidy-up, that's the point to pay for more storage, not before.
Frequently asked questions
How much free storage does Google Photos have?
Google Photos shares the up to 15 GB that comes with every Google account, together with Gmail and Google Drive.
Does Storage saver count toward my Google storage?
Yes. Google says photos and videos backed up in Storage saver after 1 June 2021 count toward your storage.
Do my old Google Photos backups count toward storage?
Photos backed up in High quality or Express quality before 1 June 2021 don't count. Original quality backups do.
Why hasn't my storage updated after deleting photos?
Google says it normally takes up to 48 to 72 hours for storage to update after deleting a large number of files.
How do I get more Google Photos storage?
You can free up space or buy more storage with a Google One membership, where available.
