Google Photos is a fantastic manner to come across your photos and the powerful search makes it easy to find pictures of sure people, places or times. Before ane June 2021, Google did offer unlimited costless storage for photos. At present, things have changed.

You only become 15GB of Google storage in total, which counts files on your Google Bulldoze and Gmail, also equally Google Photos. Therefore, if y'all want to upload more photos and videos that volition take your limit past 15GB, you'll need to purchase more storage with Google I.

In that location'due south four tiers of storage currently on Google One. These are:

  • xv GB - Free
  • 100 GB - £one.59 per month/£15.99 per year
  • 200 GB - £2.49 per month/£24.99 per year
  • 2 TB - £7.99 per calendar month/£79.99 per year

Sadly, no unlimited storage choice is currently available. Y'all'll take to look at other Deject storage options if you want that. You tin can also make more than room for photos and video by clearing out large files on your Google Bulldoze.

At that place's no need to worry well-nigh existing files from before 1 June, as these photos will remain on Google's servers and won't be deleted or blocked if you don't pay - that's a common misconception.

If, like me, you accept a photo library full of pictures you took prior to owning a smartphone, chances are they're sat on a hard drive somewhere. Google hasn't fabricated it easy to upload them, but hither's are two means to upload every single photo, one of which is automatic.

Upload to Google Photos via a web browser

Earlier I get to the all-time way, here's the obvious way: head to photos.google.com and click on Upload.

How to upload to Google Photos from Windows

Unfortunately, the easy mode won't work for most people considering the Upload option in Google Photos will only upload the contents of a single binder.

Most people go along their photos in multiple folders and then they have 'albums' for different occasions. Unless you're willing to become through dozens or even hundreds of folders and copy – or move – those photos into a single folder, you won't be able to use this choice.

Yous could laboriously use the Upload button for each folder you have but, once more, that's impractical if yous have a hundred or more than.

TIP: Earlier you upload all your photos, upload one or ii and bank check that Google Photos can correctly place when they were taken. Otherwise, you lot'll have a tough time finding them again.

Once uploaded, you should exist able to enter the date information technology was taken, such as '22 May 2000' and all photos from that date should be shown. If not, search for the exact filename of the photograph you only uploaded, and Google Photos should show it. Click the i symbol at the acme and y'all'll see the info for that photo.

How to upload to Google Photos

If there is a problem and the 'appointment taken' isn't identified correctly, you'll need to utilise a tool to edit this metadata.

Once you've hit the limit of what y'all can upload, Google volition inform you. If you demand more than infinite, you lot can get a premium Google One account.

Upload to Google Photos via Backup & Sync

So we come up to the best pick for uploading your whole photo library to Google Photos. It involves downloading Google'south Backup & Sync utility, choosing a binder or folders to sync, then leaving it to upload the photos, besides as any videos in those folders.

If those folders happen to be on a NAS bulldoze equally mine were, you may detect you cannot select the root binder in Backup & Sync. The workaround is to create a folder within that (call it upload or whatever you like), and so move all your folders of photos into that.

Here, stride past step, is how to go almost installing Fill-in & Sync and uploading all those snaps to Google Photos.

Note: this only works for Windows computers and yous'd need to install the Google Photos app on Android or iPhone if you lot want to upload the camera roll from your telephone. This guide is primarily aimed at those who've already done that and at present want to upload photos stored on their Windows laptop or PC.

i. Kickoff, caput to the Google Photos website https://photos.google.com/apps and click the Download button.

How to upload to Google Photos

2. When the file is downloaded, click on information technology in your web browser, or navigate to the folder where downloaded files are stored – usually Downloads. Double-click on the file (chosen installbackupandsync.exe) and click the Go STARTED button.

How to upload to Google Photos

3. You'll need to sign into your Google account, the one you use for Google Photos.

4. On the 'set-up' screen, cull Back up photos and videos.

How to upload to Google Photos

5. Next, you need to tell Backup & Sync which folders your photos are in. This could be as simple equally clicking the box adjacent to Pictures, only if your photos are stored elsewhere, such equally some other binder on your hard drive, on an external drive or on a NAS bulldoze, click CHOOSE Folder and navigate to it.

How to upload to Google Photos

Yous can sync multiple folders, but you lot can't select multiple folders at the same time.

half-dozen. Select the quality you lot want for your photo/video - Storage Saver takes up less room, just compresses the file. Meanwhile Original Quality volition not compress the files, only will take upwards more than storage in your quota.

7. Click START and Backup & Sync will begin uploading photos and videos in the folder(s) you've called to Google Photos.

eight. If you desire to check on progress, click the ^ symbol on the Windows Taskbar and click the petty white cloud symbol. You'll meet a scrolling list of the files being uploaded.

How to upload to Google Photos

How long it will take to upload all your photos and videos will depend on the full corporeality of data to be uploaded and the upload speed of your internet connection, which is typically a lot slower than the download speed.

Leave your laptop or computer on while information technology's uploading the files. In my case, with a 16Mbps upload speed, it took effectually 24 hours to upload thirty,000 photos and videos from hundreds of folders on a NAS bulldoze.

Again, the amount you'll be able to upload will depend on the amount of storage you lot have in your Google Ane account.

Related articles for further reading

  • Best alternatives to Google Photos
  • What to do when Google Photos free storage ends
  • How to download all your photos from Google Photos in one go