• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
TechEngage

TechEngage

Technology news and opinions

  • Tech News
  • Reviews
  • How-to
  • Science
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Space
  • Apps
  • More
    • Opinion
    • Noteworthy
    • Roundups
    • Culture
    • Blockchain
      • Cryptocurrency
    • Events
    • Deals
    • Startups
      • Startup Submissions
  • Videos
  • Login
Apps

Google Photos to END free unlimited storage next year

Avatar for Sheharyar Ahmad Saeed Sheharyar Ahmad Saeed November 12, 2020

Google Photos

Google Photos users will no more have free unlimited storage after June 1, 2021. The company has updated the Google Photos storage policy and decided to end its free service of unlimited storage. Google acknowledged that its photos services are the home of memories for many users for the past five years, and changing this policy is a “big shift.”

“We don’t take this decision lightly, and we acknowledge that this is a big shift, so wanted to let you know well in advance and give you resources to help you navigate this change.”

According to a Google blog post, if some of the users are inactive for two years (24 months), Google can remove the content. In the same way, if you exceed your storage limit for two years, Google can delete your content from Gmail, Drive, and Photos.

To understand how this update impacts users and what should be your strategy, Google has also brought estimation tools where users can see a personalized estimate for how long their storage may last.

From June 2021, users will be able to use a new free Google Photos software feature to control your backup photos and videos easily. This tool will help users in reviewing their memories if they want to retain all or not. The tool will also be scanning pictures that you would want to delete forever, such as dark, distorted, blurry images or large videos.

As per Google’s blog post, over 4 trillion images are presently stored in Google Photos, and 28 billion new photos and videos are uploaded every other week.

Beginning from June 1, 2021, all new images and videos users uploaded by users will add up in a free but limited 15 GB of storage. Otherwise, for unlimited storage, users need to purchase a Google One plan.

Google One pricing plans are the same. It begins at $1.99 / month for 100 GB and continues through 200 GB ($2.99 / month), 2 TB ($9.99 / month) and up to 30 TB ($149.99 / month).

Exemptions

The already existing High-Quality photos and videos are exempt from this change. This could well mean that photos and videos backed up before June 1, 2021, will still be considered secure and free from the new storage limit update. You can check your backup quality at any time in the Google Photos app by back up & sync in Settings.

If you have a Google Pixel phone (Pixel 1 to Pixel 5), this update will not affect the images posted from that phone. Pixel phones will continue to get unlimited free storage for their photos and videos, even after June 1, 2021. The first-gen Pixel phone will get original quality images for a lifetime. Other Pixel phones will continue to get unlimited free storage on Google Photos through their defined time.

It is indeed a huge shift and comes as a surprise for many. It is still not clear why Google is bringing this change nevertheless as the blog post is evidently telling that because so many users depend on Google Photos to preserve their memories, hence it’s crucial for Google that its service would not just remain a great product, but that it should continue to fulfill your needs over the long run. In a bid to accomplish these futuristic aims, the company is adjusting its unlimited high-quality storage policy.

Related Tags: Google Google One Google Photos Google Pixel

Related Stories

  • WhatsApp gets fingerprint unlock feature on Android

    WhatsApp gets fingerprint unlock feature on Android

  • WhatsApp now allows you to control who adds you to groups

    WhatsApp now allows you to control who adds you to groups

  • New Gmail web update brings email to life

    New Gmail web update brings email to life

Avatar for Sheharyar Ahmad Saeed

Sheharyar Ahmad Saeed

Writer

Sheharyar currently resides at the bustling intersection of technology and everyday life. He believes that having Art in the right hand and learning Science through left, this blend will lead you toward the actual decency of the universe.

Reader Interactions

Join The Discussion: Cancel reply

Please read our comment policy before submitting your comment. Your email address will not be used or publish anywhere. You will only receive comment notifications if you opt to subscribe below.

Primary Sidebar

Become a contributor

We are accepting contributor applications. All applications will be decided in 3 days after applying. To learn more click here.
TechEngage-Apple-News
TechEngage-Google-News

Recent Stories

  • Best all-season tires for snow on Amazon in 2021
  • Best mobile Wi-Fi hotspots on Amazon for 2021
  • Best car vacuum cleaners in 2021
  • Best rated top loading washing machines in 2021
  • 6 best car scratch removers on Amazon for 2021
Dishwasher on Amazon

Top-rated best dishwashers on Amazon for 2021

A featured image design of best messaging apps for Android smartphones

Best text messaging apps for Android (2021)

Tools to merge Excel files

HowTo: Tools to Merge Excel Files

A featured image for automatically deleting Google Web and App activity

How to delete Google location and activity history automatically

Footer

About Us

  • Advertise
  • Send us a tip
  • Startup Submission Questionnaire
  • Community Guidelines
  • Corrections Policy & Practice
  • Contact us

Discover

  • About
  • Newsroom
  • Advertise
  • Brand Kit
  • Partners
  • Staff
  • Our Ethics
  • Publication Principles
  • Contact us

Legal Pages

  • Reviews Guarantee
  • Community Guidelines
  • Cookies Policy
  • Comments Policy
  • Our Ethics
  • Disclaimer
  • GDPR Compliance
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Download our apps

TechEngage-app-google-play-store

Copyright © 2021 · All Rights Reserved · TechEngage® is a Project of TechAbout LLC.
TechEngage® is a registered trademark in United Kingdom under Trademark Number UK00003417167 and is ISSN protected under the ISSN 2690-3776 and OCLC Number 1139335774.

Go to mobile version