How to Use Google Photos to Store and Share Pictures

If your phone is filling up with pictures, or you want an easy way to share family photos, Google Photos can help. It stores backed-up pictures online and lets you view them from other devices when you sign in to the same Google Account.

Learning how to use Google Photos is straightforward once you know where the backup and sharing controls are. This guide explains how to back up pictures, check that they have been saved, find them on a computer, and share individual photos or albums.

What you’ll need

• A Google Account.
• The Google Photos app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android phone, or a web browser on a computer.
• An internet connection.
• Enough available Google Account storage for the pictures and videos you want to back up.

Step 1: Install Google Photos and sign in

Google Photos is available for Android and Apple mobile devices. You can also use it on a computer through a web browser.

1. On an iPhone or iPad, open the App Store and search for Google Photos.
2. On an Android phone, open the Google Play Store and search for Google Photos, unless it is already installed.
3. Install or open the app.
4. Sign in using your Google Account email address and password.
5. If prompted, allow the app to access your photos so you can view and back them up.

On a computer, visit photos.google.com and sign in with the same Google Account. You will see pictures that have been backed up to that account.

Good to know: Google Photos can display pictures stored on your phone even when they have not been backed up. Seeing a picture in the app does not automatically mean it is safely stored in your Google Account.

Step 2: Turn on photo backup

Backup copies photos and videos to your Google Account so you can access them on other devices. You can usually turn it on during setup or later in the app settings.

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Tap your profile picture or initial in the top-right corner.
3. Look for Turn on backup. If you do not see it, tap Photos settings, then Backup.
4. Switch Backup on.
5. Check that the Google Account shown is the one where you want your pictures stored.
6. Leave the app open and connected to the internet while the first backup runs.

On some iPhones and iPads, you may need to allow Google Photos to access your photo library in iOS settings. If asked, choose the access you want to give it. Full access is needed if you want the app to back up your entire photo library.

The wording and placement of these options can vary slightly between Android and iPhone versions of the app.

Tip: If you have a large photo library, connect to Wi-Fi and power before starting the first backup. It can take a while to upload lots of pictures and videos.

Step 3: Check that your pictures have backed up

It is worth checking the backup status before assuming your pictures are safely stored online.

1. Open Google Photos and tap your profile picture or initial.
2. Look for the backup status message. It may say that backup is complete, show that items are still uploading, or explain that backup is paused.
3. If items remain, keep the app connected to the internet and give it time to finish.
4. To check a particular picture, open it and look at its details or backup status.
5. On a computer or another device, visit photos.google.com and sign in to the same Google Account. Check that the recent pictures appear there.

Remember that Google Photos backup and your phone’s own storage are not the same thing. A photo can be visible on your phone without having finished uploading to your account.

Step 4: Find your pictures on a computer or another device

Once pictures have backed up, you can view them on other devices without transferring them by cable.

1. Open a web browser on your computer.
2. Go to photos.google.com.
3. Sign in with the Google Account used for backup on your phone.
4. Browse the photo library or use the search box to look for a date, place, or subject.
5. Open a picture to view it.

You can also install Google Photos on another phone or tablet and sign in to the same account. Backed-up photos will appear there too.

Google Photos includes search tools that can help you find pictures by things in them, such as a beach, a dog, or a birthday cake. Results are not always perfect, but searching can be easier than scrolling through years of photos.

Step 5: Share a photo with someone

You can share one picture or video directly from Google Photos. The person you share with does not necessarily need the app.

1. Open Google Photos and select the picture you want to share.
2. Tap or click Share.
3. Choose a suggested contact, or select an available sharing option such as Create link.
4. If you choose a contact, check that the recipient is correct before sending.
5. If you create a link, copy it and send it using the messaging or email app you prefer.

A link is convenient, but anyone who has access to it may be able to view the shared item. Only send links to people you trust, and avoid posting private photo links publicly.

Careful: Check who can access a photo before sharing it. A link can be forwarded to other people, so use direct sharing with selected contacts when privacy matters.

Step 6: Create and share an album

An album is a collection of pictures grouped together, such as holiday photos or a family celebration. You can share an album so other people can view the pictures in one place.

1. In Google Photos, select the pictures you want to group together.
2. Tap or click Add to or the + option, then choose Album. The wording can vary by app version.
3. Give the album a name, such as Summer Holiday.
4. Save or create the album.
5. Open the album and choose Share.
6. Invite specific people or create a shareable link, depending on the options shown.

Some shared albums let invited people add their own pictures. Look for the collaboration or sharing settings in the album if you want others to contribute. Check the album’s sharing options so you understand who can view or add photos.

Step 7: Keep an eye on your Google storage

Google Accounts include 15 GB of storage at no charge. This space is shared by Google Photos, Gmail, and Google Drive, so large videos and email attachments can use the same allowance.

1. Open Google Photos.
2. Tap your profile picture or initial.
3. Look for Manage storage to review your account’s storage use.
4. Review any suggested cleanup items carefully before deleting anything.
5. If you need more space, check the storage options offered through Google One.

Be careful when deleting pictures. If backup and sync are active, deleting an item in Google Photos can remove it from your Google Photos library and other synced devices. Do not delete pictures unless you are sure you no longer need them. If your goal is to free up phone space while keeping backed-up copies, look for the Free up space option and read its explanation before confirming.

Troubleshooting: Why aren’t my pictures backing up?

If recent pictures do not appear on the website, try these checks.

Check the Google Account. Tap your profile picture and confirm that you are using the account where you expect the photos to be stored.

Check that Backup is on. Open Photos settings > Backup and make sure the switch is enabled.

Check your connection. Connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network and keep the app open for a while. If mobile data backup is allowed in your settings, check that your data connection is working.

Check available storage. If your Google Account is full, new pictures may stop backing up. Review Manage storage and decide whether to remove items you no longer need or consider more storage.

Check photo access on iPhone or iPad. Open the device’s Settings, find Google Photos, and review its Photos permission. The exact menu may vary with your iOS version.

If the problem continues, update the Google Photos app and restart your phone. You can also visit the Google Photos Help Center for device-specific advice.

Enjoy storing and sharing your pictures

Google Photos can make it easier to keep a backed-up collection and share favorite moments with family and friends. Turn on backup, check that it has finished, and use direct sharing or albums to send pictures to the right people.