Which Photos Are Included In Google Drive Limits?
Understanding the ins and outs of your Google storage is vital. When it comes to Google Drive, photos stored in their original quality, either uploaded directly to Google Drive or synced from Google Photos after Google’s storage policy change in June 2021, will count against your storage limits.
Understanding Google’s Storage Changes
Google’s storage policy has evolved significantly over the years. Initially, high-quality (formerly known as “Storage saver”) photos uploaded to Google Photos didn’t count towards your storage quota. However, this changed on June 1, 2021. This change impacted how photos are stored and how they affect your overall Google Drive space. To understand which photos are included in Google Drive limits, it’s crucial to grasp these nuances.
The Impact on Google Drive Users
The implications of this policy shift are significant for Google Drive users. Those who heavily rely on Google Photos for photo storage need to be particularly aware. Exceeding your storage limit can disrupt other Google services, like Gmail and Google Docs. Careful management of your Google Drive storage, including understanding which photos are included in Google Drive limits, is now more important than ever.
Identifying Photos Affecting Your Storage
So, specifically which photos are included in Google Drive limits? Here’s a breakdown:
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Original Quality Photos: Photos uploaded or synced to Google Photos in their original quality always count towards your Google Drive storage.
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Photos Uploaded After June 1, 2021: Any photo, regardless of quality setting (Original or Storage saver), uploaded after June 1, 2021, counts towards your Google Drive storage if you are above your free 15 GB.
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Photos Manually Moved to Google Drive: Any photo that you’ve specifically uploaded or moved to Google Drive folders will contribute to your overall storage usage.
How to Check Your Google Storage
Checking your current Google storage usage is simple:
- Go to your Google Account storage page (one.google.com/storage).
- You’ll see a breakdown of how your storage is being used across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.
- Click “View details” to get a more granular view.
Managing Your Photo Storage
Efficiently managing your photo storage is critical. Here are some tips:
- Check for Large Files: Identify and delete unnecessary large photos or videos.
- Compress Photos: Consider compressing photos to Storage saver quality to reduce their size.
- Move to External Storage: Move some photos to external hard drives or cloud storage services.
- Review Google Photos Settings: Ensure your backup settings align with your storage preferences.
Google One and Paid Storage Plans
If you frequently find yourself nearing your storage limit, consider upgrading to a Google One plan. Google One offers various storage tiers and benefits, including:
- Increased storage space
- Family sharing of storage
- Google expert support
- Additional benefits like Google Store discounts
| Plan | Storage | Monthly Price | Annual Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 100 GB | $1.99 | $19.99 |
| Standard | 200 GB | $2.99 | $29.99 |
| Premium | 2 TB | $9.99 | $99.99 |
Common Misconceptions About Photo Storage
There are several misconceptions about which photos are included in Google Drive limits.
- Misconception 1: All photos in Google Photos count towards Google Drive storage. This is false. Photos uploaded in Storage saver quality before June 1, 2021, generally do not.
- Misconception 2: Deleting photos from Google Photos automatically frees up space in Google Drive. This may not always be the case. If the photos were also in Google Drive, you will need to delete them from there too.
- Misconception 3: Only large files count towards storage limits. This is also incorrect. All files, regardless of size, contribute to your storage usage.
Optimizing Google Photos Backup Settings
Understanding and adjusting your Google Photos backup settings is essential for controlling storage usage. You can choose between:
- Original Quality: Photos are stored in their original resolution and count towards your storage quota.
- Storage saver Quality: (Previously called High Quality) Photos are slightly compressed. Photos uploaded in this quality setting after June 1, 2021, count towards your storage limits. Photos uploaded before this date generally do not.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If I upload photos in “Storage saver” quality now, do they count against my Google Drive limit?
Yes, photos uploaded in Storage saver (formerly “High Quality”) quality after June 1, 2021, do count towards your Google Drive storage limit. Only photos uploaded in Storage saver before that date are exempt from the limit (assuming you didn’t later change them to Original quality).
Does deleting a photo from Google Photos also delete it from Google Drive?
It depends on where the photo is stored. If the photo exists only in Google Photos, deleting it from there will remove it and free up storage. However, if the photo also resides in a Google Drive folder, you’ll need to delete it from Drive separately to reclaim the storage.
What happens if I exceed my Google Drive storage limit?
If you exceed your Google Drive storage limit, you may experience issues with:
- Sending and receiving emails in Gmail.
- Uploading new files to Google Drive.
- Creating new documents in Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, or Forms.
- Syncing new photos and videos to Google Photos.
How can I identify the photos taking up the most space in my Google Drive?
You can sort your Google Drive files by size to identify the largest photos and videos. In Google Drive, click on ‘Storage’ in the left panel, then click on ‘Drive’ to see the list of files. Sort by “Storage used” to see largest files first. For Photos, you can use Google’s Takeout service to download your photos, then use a third-party tool to analyze file sizes.
If I had the “Storage saver” setting enabled before June 1, 2021, and continued using it afterwards, do my newer photos still not count?
No, photos uploaded in Storage saver quality after June 1, 2021, will count towards your Google Drive storage limit, even if you had the setting enabled before that date. The exemption only applies to photos uploaded before the deadline.
What’s the difference between “Original quality” and “Storage saver” when it comes to storage limits?
Photos uploaded in Original quality always count towards your Google Drive storage limit. Photos uploaded in Storage saver (High Quality) before June 1, 2021, typically do not count, while those uploaded after that date do count.
If I share a photo from Google Photos, does it count against the recipient’s storage limit?
No, sharing a photo from Google Photos does not affect the recipient’s storage limit. The photo only counts against the storage of the person who initially uploaded it.
Can I transfer my photos from Google Photos to another cloud storage service?
Yes, you can transfer your photos to other cloud storage services using tools like Google Takeout. This allows you to download your photos in a ZIP archive and then upload them to services like Dropbox, OneDrive, or iCloud.
Does Google One storage apply to all Google services (Drive, Photos, Gmail)?
Yes, a Google One storage plan provides storage that is shared across Google Drive, Google Photos, and Gmail. If you upgrade to Google One, the additional storage is available for all three services.
If I delete photos from my phone but they are backed up to Google Photos, does it free up space on my Google Drive immediately?
Deleting photos from your phone only removes them from your device. To free up space on Google Drive, you must also delete the photos from Google Photos (and Google Drive, if they reside there) and then empty the trash/bin in both services.
What happens to my photos if I downgrade my Google One storage plan?
If you downgrade your Google One storage plan and exceed your storage limit, you may not be able to upload new files or send/receive emails. Existing files will remain, but you’ll need to delete content to get back under the limit to resume normal usage.
If someone shares a Google Photos album with me, do the photos count against my storage?
No, photos in a shared Google Photos album do not count against your storage limit. They only count against the storage limit of the person who uploaded the photos to the album in the first place.