Google Photos: A guide to the photo sharing and cloud storage app
Google Photos isn’t only an app for storing and viewing photos on your device. It’s packed with new AI features such as Magic Editor and Magic Eraser. It also has multiple tricks that help you with media organization, photo and video editing, cloud backup, and seamless sharing features. It’s preinstalled on most Android phones, like theGoogle Pixel 8a, and works across other platforms. In this guide, we explore thebest features of Google Photosand share everything you need to know about Google Photos.
Google Photos is superior for cross-device photo management. We’ll help you transfer your Samsung Gallery images to the app quickly
Google Photos works on most operating systems, including Android and iOS
Google’s gallery app is preinstalled on most Android phones, while iOS and iPad users can download itfrom the App Store. you may also use Google Photos on the web, although it’s less feature-rich than mobile apps. Whether you use a Windows PC, a Mac, or a ChromeOS device, you can access the app’s basic functions on the web viaphotos.google.com.
Upload your photos and videos to Google Photos
Google Photos' AI features unlock after uploading your images and videos. The app analyzes your uploaded files to show recommendations and improve your media collection. You can also enjoy seamless sharing with your partner and friends.
To check the available options to upload media, follow these steps:
Here’s a quick rundown of the image quality options.
Original quality
Google used to offer unlimited storage for original-quality uploads to Pixel users until June 2021. However, people whoown a Google Pixel 5 or an earlier modelstill have unlimited storage for backing up full-resolution photos and videos. If you plan to shoot many images in full resolution (48MP, 64MP, 108MP, or 200MP), use the highest quality option. It’s also suitable for large prints without quality loss.
Storage saver
The Storage saver offers a balance between Original quality and the Express option. It stores more media files at a slightly reduced quality. It compresses photos to 16 megapixels and videos to a 1080p quality. The media uploads offer a respectable quality print up to 24 by 16 inches.
If you’re running low on your 15GB storage allotment or dealing with a slow internet connection, select Express to back up media at the lowest resolution. It compresses videos to standard definition (480p) and images to 3MP to save photo storage. The Express option is only available on Android devicesin specific regions.
Google Photos displays the backup quality and file size of your images and videos. Swipe up on any image to view the information under theDetailsmenu.
Your video and image uploads count against the default 15GB cloud storage, which is shared with Gmail, Drive, and otherGoogle Workspaceapps. You can check the storage breakdown for your Google account from theAccount storagemenu. We offer an extensive guide tofree up your Google Drive storage space. If you need more,Google Oneoffers storage upgrade options.
Google Photos editing features
Google fine-tuned and added more powerful photo editing features to the app. You can use AI recommendations, crop, portrait blur,Magic Eraser, color focus, adjust brightness, contrast, HDR, white point, shadows, and saturation, and apply built-in filters to keep your photos Instagram-ready.
In addition to image and video editing, you cancreate collages, animations, and movies from theLibrary>Utilitiesmenu.
Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur in Google Photos
Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur are two reasons to upgrade to a recent Google Pixel phone or Google One plan. They work as expected and convert your messy pictures into sharable ones. Magic Eraser removes the photobombers from the image.
Don’t let the photobombers ruin your special moments
Photo Unblurcan be handy for fixing blurry shots during your recent trip. It works well with daylight images but not as expected in low-light shots.
Video editing in Google Photos
The app also has a capable built-in video editor with features similar to the image editor. If you own aGoogle Pixel 8 Pro, useVideo Boostto enhance the quality of your videos. These features don’t replace a dedicated video editor. Explore ourtop video editing appsfor more pro-level features to edit your memories.
In selected regions, Google allows you to create physical photo books. The softcover and hardcover books are priced at $15 and $30, respectively. We share our best tips forcreating photo books with Google Photos.
AI features in Google Photos
Google’s machine learning kicks in as you upload new photos to your library. You get ready-to-use collages, animation pics, and movie recommendations to save in the app. It detects similar photos (food, sky, forest, people, screenshots) and often suggests collages and movies. The AI magic also works during image editing, which shows several features under theSuggestionstab to improve your photos.
Google’s gallery app is smart enough to detect faces from your uploaded images. When you assign a name to a person, use the search bar at the top and quickly pull images by typing the name.
Photos also come with Google Lens integration, allowing you to find product information and visual matches on the web. It’s also handy toscan a QR codefrom an existing picture.
Sharing in Google Photos
With seamless sharing tools, Google Photos is one of thebest gallery appson the Play Store. you may create shareable albums featuring your favorite photos, invite others for collaboration, start a conversation on an album with comments and likes, turn off link sharing for privacy, and be notified about new activity in the shared album.
Navigate toSharing>Create shared album, give it a title, manually add photos or tapSelectpeople & petsto create an auto-updating album, and share photos with friends and family.
you may generate sharable links, start conversations with someone to exchange pictures seamlessly, and turn on Partner Sharing, which keeps your gallery in sync with your loved one.
FromSharing>Share with partner, select your partner and choose what you want to share. When your partner accepts the invitation, they can see and save the images in their library. Your partner can also choose to share their photos with you.
Stream a Google Photo library to your smart TV during a potluck or family gathering and start a slideshow of recent vacation pictures.
Hide sensitive media in Google Photos
You can use Locked Folder tokeep private photos and videos from prying eyes. Go toLibrary>Utilitiesand set upLocked Folderunder theOrganize your librarymenu. However, the app doesn’t back up your media files in the Locked Folder, so you can’t access them on other devices. If you uninstall the app, Google Photos deletes the content in the Locked Folder. It’s a local solution that works offline on your phone.
Google is expected to upgrade Locked Folder with cloud connectivity.
Clear your phone storage using Google Photos
The Photos app also comes with a handy add-on to free up space on your phone. It identifies and deletes items that are safely backed up in your chosen quality. Go toSettings>Free up device storagein the app to check and delete backed-up media files.
Access Google Photos on the desktop
While you can upload and download your media files using the web version, the search giant also offers the Google Drive app for the desktop. First,download and set up Drive on Macand Windows and sign in with your Google account details. After completing the setup, use the steps below to upload media files from your local or external hard drive to Google Photos.
Google Photos is more than a standard gallery app
Other smartphone manufacturers, such as Samsung, have their own Gallery app preinstalled on their smartphones alongside the Google Photos app. However, there are a lot of features that Google Photos has to offer over Samsung’s Gallery app thatwill make you stick with Google Photos.
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