How to Upload Photos and Videos to Google Photos App

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Just about everyone brings their smartphone or tablet with them wherever they go. A lot of us take photos or videos with our smartphone or tablet. All of us want to keep those photos and videos safe. They're memories, after all.

Photos and videos take up a great deal of storage space on our devices but you can transfer them to your Google account for free using the Google Photos app. Google Photos works on both Android and iOS devices.

This guide will take you through how to use Google Photos to transfer your photos and videos to keep them safe.

Tools You'll Need:

• An Android phone or tablet
• A working internet connection
• Your Google account

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Supplies You'll Need:

• Zip ties
• Any other consumable supplies
• Comment out supplies section if no supplies are necessary

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Before You Begin:

• Your device must be logged into your Google Account.

You must have the Google Photos App installed.

• How to Install the Google Photos App

To continue, we need to know what Operating System your smartphone or tablet has.

There are 2 main Operating Systems for smartphones currently available, Android and iOS.

Android Smartphone

Android smartphones are produced by multiple companies, such as Samsung, LG, Motorola, HTC, and OnePlus.

iOS Smartphone

Apple is the only company that makes iOS smartphones.

2. Transfer Photos and Videos Using Google Photos (Android)

Enabling the automatic back up of Google Photos will upload all of your photos and videos from your Android device. As soon as you take a new photo or video, it will be uploaded.

1. Open the Google Photos app on your phone or tablet.
   

1. 
   
2. You may be prompted to log into your Google account upon launching the app.
3. Tap the Menu bars.
   

1. Select Settings.
   

1. 
   
2. Select Back up & sync.
   

1. 
   
2. Switch Back up & sync to On.
   

1. 
   
2. We recommend that your Upload Size be set to High quality, as Google provides unlimited storage for photos using this setting.
   

1. Google Photos will automatically begin backing up the photos and videos on your device. The amount of time a back up will take is entirely dependent upon how many photos and videos you have stored on your device. It may take hours to fully complete the first back up. Luckily, your Android device can still be used normally while the back up process is being performed.

3. Transfer Photos and Videos Using Google Photos (iOS)

Enabling the automatic back up of Google Photos will upload all of your photos and videos from your iOS device. As soon as you take a new photo or video, it will be uploaded.

1. Open the Google Photos app on your phone or tablet.
   

1. 
   
2. You may be prompted to log into your Google account upon launching the app.
3. Tap the Menu bars.
   

1. Select Settings.
   

1. 
   
2. Select Back up & sync.
   

1. 
   
2. Switch Back up & sync to On.
   

1. 
   
2. We recommend that your Upload Size be set to High quality, as Google provides unlimited storage for photos using this setting.
   

1. Google Photos will automatically begin backing up the photos and videos on your device. The amount of time a back up will take is entirely dependent upon how many photos and videos you have stored on your device. It may take hours to fully complete the first back up. Luckily, your Android device can still be used normally while the back up process is being performed.