Google Photos is Google’s official app for storing, viewing and organising photos and videos. It can automatically back up content from a phone, synchronise it across devices and make older images easier to find.

A Google Account is required for cloud backup. Photos and videos saved to the account can be viewed on other phones, tablets and computers after signing in with the same account.

Google Photos features

The app arranges content by date and provides tools for organising a large gallery. Search can locate images by person, place, object or a natural-language description without requiring a title to be added to every photo.

Key features include:

• automatic photo and video backup;

• access to saved content across different devices;

• search by date, place, person, object or description;

• albums and automatically generated collections;

• photo stacks for grouping similar images;

• sharing individual items or entire albums;

• built-in photo and video editing;

• collages, animations and highlight videos;

• a Locked Folder for sensitive content;

• tools for freeing up device storage after backup.

Google Photos also uses AI for search and editing. Depending on the device, region and account, tools such as Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur and Portrait Light may be available to remove distractions, improve blurry images or adjust lighting.

Backup and account storage

Users can automatically back up photos from the camera and selected device folders. Backup quality, mobile data use and uploading while roaming can be managed in the app’s settings.

Google Photos uses the same Google Account storage as Gmail and Google Drive. The amount included depends on the account and country. Additional capacity can be purchased through Google One where available.

The Free up space tool removes local copies of items that have already been backed up. An internet connection may then be required to open the full versions of those photos and videos.

Sharing and privacy

Backed-up photos and videos remain private unless the user chooses to share them. Content can be sent directly to contacts, added to a shared album or made available through a link.

Before sharing a link, users should check which items are included and who can access them. Anyone who receives an active public link may be able to view its associated content.

Deleting an item from the Google Photos library may also remove it from synchronised devices. Before clearing the library, users should confirm where any important original files are stored.

How to download and install Google Photos

To download Google Photos for Android, tap the download button on this page. Google Play will open, where you can select “Install” or “Update”.