Google Photos, available on Android and iOS devices with a Google Account, provides more than just cloud backups for your photos and videos. Its underutilized features include the Memories section, which tracks media by date and location and automatically sorts pictures by people and objects. To discover all these features and more, refer to the Google Photos Explainer below.
Google Photos works on all the Devices.
Google Photos excels in its versatility. Users with a Google account can install the app on any device, including Android phones, iPhones, and iPads. Additionally, it offers web access across Windows, Chromebooks, and Mac devices, ensuring seamless compatibility regardless of your platform.
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How to Upload Photos & Videos on Google Photos
Large photos and videos often become candidates for deletion as your mobile device storage fills up. Google Photos offers a practical solution by allowing you to back up these files before removing them from your device. To retrieve your backups later, follow these steps to upload photos and videos:
- Open the Google Photos app.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-left corner.
- Select “Photos Settings” and then “Backups” from the menu.
- Activate the Backup Toggle button to back up your device’s images and videos.
Google Photos provides up to 15 GB of free storage per account. In the settings menu, you can also manage your storage settings and choose the backup quality.
Image Quality Options on Google Photos
Original Quality
Select the Original Quality option to upload images in their full resolution and specifications. This is the default backup setting for all Google accounts. Google Pixel 5 users and newer models benefit from unlimited storage, allowing you to back up photos at their highest resolution.
Storage Saver
For a slight reduction in quality to save space, choose Storage Saver. This option compresses images to 16 megapixels and videos to 1080p, preserving most of their quality while reducing storage usage.
Express
If your Google account storage is limited, use the Express setting. It reduces image resolution to 3 megapixels and video quality to 480p, helping conserve storage while backing up your media.
How to Edit a Picture in Google Photos?
Google Photos offers a variety of editing tools, from cropping and rotating to advanced features like Magic Eraser, color focus, and brightness adjustments. If you see a prompt suggesting “Fix lighting” on your uploaded images, tapping it will automatically enhance your photo’s lighting.
In addition, the Library tab provides access to Utilities, where you can create customizable collages, animations, or movies. Choose your preferred template and select the images you want to include for a personalized touch.
How to use Magic Eraser and Unblur Google Photos?
To remove unwanted background objects from an image, use the Magic Eraser feature in Google Photos. Access this tool from the Edit settings, then swipe over the object you want to erase, and it will be removed seamlessly. To fix blurry shots, use the Unblur Image setting to enhance clarity.
Share Images in Google Photos
You can easily share images or videos backed up on Google Photos through any messaging app. Additionally, you can create and share albums or start conversations with other accounts to share media seamlessly. To share a collection on Google Photos, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Photos app and go to the Library.
- Select a collection to share or create a new one.
- Tap the collection to expand it.
- Click the three-dot icon in the top-right corner and select “Share.”
- You can also generate a shareable link to distribute the collection.
Hide Sensitive Data in Google Photos
Use the Locked Folder feature in Google Photos to keep personal images or videos hidden. Here’s how to create one:
- Open Google Photos and navigate to the Library.
- Find and tap the “Locked Folder” option in the top row.
- Follow the prompts to set up your Locked Folder.
You can add unlimited images or videos to this secure folder for privacy.
AI Features in Google Photos
Google Photos utilizes machine learning algorithms to categorize images based on their content. It automatically creates a repository for each human face detected in your photos, adding new pictures to the corresponding library as they are uploaded. Additionally, objects, food items, and scenes are categorized separately. To access these collections, go to Google Photos and switch to the search tab.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Google Photos?
Google Photos is a cloud-based service for backing up, storing, and organizing photos and videos. It offers features like automatic backup, editing tools, and sharing options.
How do I back up my photos and videos to Google Photos?
To back up photos and videos, open the Google Photos app, tap your profile icon, select “Photos Settings,” and select “Backups.” Then, turn on the Backup Toggle button to start uploading your media.
How can I edit my photos and videos in Google Photos?
You can use Google Photos’ editing tools, including cropping, rotating, Magic Eraser, and brightness adjustments. Access these tools by opening an image or video and selecting the “Edit” option.
How do I create and share albums or collections?
To create and share an album or collection, go to the Library tab in Google Photos, select or create a collection, tap the three-dot icon, and choose “Share.” You can also generate a shareable link for broader distribution.
What is the Locked Folder feature?
The Locked Folder feature allows you to securely store personal images or videos. Access it by going to the Library tab, selecting “Locked Folder,” and following the setup prompts. You can add unlimited media to this folder.
How does Google Photos use machine learning?
Google Photos uses machine learning to automatically categorize images based on their content. It detects and groups human faces, objects, food items, and scenes, which you can find under the search tab.
Can I access Google Photos from any device?
Yes, Google Photos is compatible with Android and iOS devices and can be accessed via web browsers on Windows, Chromebook, and Mac devices.
What storage options does Google Photos offer?
Google Photos provides up to 15 GB of free storage per Google account. You can manage your storage settings and upgrade to additional storage if needed.
How do I retrieve deleted photos or videos?
Deleted items are moved to the Trash folder for 30 days before being permanently deleted. To restore items, go to the Trash folder in Google Photos and select the items you want to recover.
Conclusion
Google Photos is a versatile and powerful tool for managing your digital media. With its cloud-based storage, advanced editing features, and intelligent categorization through machine learning, it simplifies backing up, organizing, and sharing photos and videos.
Whether you need to preserve high-resolution images, save space with compressed backups, or securely store personal media in a Locked Folder, Google Photos offers a range of options to meet your needs. Its accessibility across devices ensures you can manage and enjoy your media seamlessly, wherever you are.
