Google Photos does not offers more space di free unlimited storage to all users with a Google account. As of June 1st, this wonderful option is no longer available, which leaves us with a number of doubts on the current operation of the cloud storage platform. If you also share our doubts about Google Photos, don't worry, we will give you the answers in this article.
Now that the free storage on Google Photos is no longer unlimited, what does that mean? Do I have to pay to use the service? What about the images you've uploaded so far? Are there free alternatives to Google Photos? The questions are over, these are the answers you need to use Google Photos in this new stage.
We answer all questions left by the end of Google Photos free unlimited storage.
Is Google Photos now paid?
No, Google Photos has not been paid for after the change applied on 1 June. Specifically, what disappeared was unlimited free storage, but there is still a limited option, yes, to store photos and videos without paying anything in return. You just need to have a personal Google account.
How much free storage can I use now?
Starting June 1, 2021 and as long as you have a Google account, you have access to 15 GB free to store your images in the cloud of Google. Therefore, if you lose your mobile or it is damaged without the possibility of recovery, you can get the images that you had on your smartphone simply by logging in from your account.
Is that 15GB just for Google Photos?
No, the free 15GB is for your Google account in general, so they are shared between Google Photos, Gmail and Drive. 15GB is not as much as it seems as photographs taken with mobile phones take up more and more space as they have better resolution. For this reason, we recommend that you often use the free space tool of Google Photos, which is free and available to all users.
Another trick you can use to check those 15GB free is to turn off the automatic Google Photos backup so that any pictures you have on your smartphone are not automatically saved. Of course, it's always important to check how much Google Photos storage you have left.
What about photos uploaded before June 1st?
Google has specified that the items you back up in high quality before June 1st they will not be counted towards that 15GB of storage space free. You know, the thousands of files you've archived before then shouldn't worry you.
How much does it cost to get more GB of storage in Google Photos?
Google Photos isn't paid, but you have to pay for a Google One subscription if you want to enjoy more than those free 15GB. These are the Google One plans a you can currently subscribe to:
| Piano | 15GB plan | 100GB plan | 200GB plan | 2 TB floor | 10 TB plan | 20 TB plan | Plan 30 TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | € 1,99 / month or € 19,99 / year | 2,99 euros / month or 29,99 euros / year | 9,99 euros / month or 99,99 euros / year | 49,99 euro / month | 99,99 euro / month | 149,99 euro / month |
| Storage | 15 GB | 100 GB | 200 GB | 2 TB | 10 TB | 20 TB | 30 TB |
| Expert help | No | Yup | Yup | Yup | Yup | Yup | Yup |
| Benefits for subscribers | No | Yup | Yup | Yup | Yup | Yup | Yup |
There is also an option to enjoy more space in Google Photos and Drive without having to pay a single euro, you just have to sign up for Google Opinion Rewards and respond to surveys to receive a Google balance that you can use to pay for your Google subscription.
If I don't want to pay on Google Photos, what free alternatives can I use?
There are several alternatives to Google Photos with free space that you can use if the Google platform doesn't convince you. For example, the messaging platform Telegram doubles as a service of cloud storage without space limits. Note that you cannot share files larger than 2GB.
Another option is to be an Amazon Prime user, as it gives you access to the platform Amazon Photos, where can you upload your photos without limits. In short, there are other storage tools you can trust if you don't like Google Photos or its free 15GB is simply insufficient.
