Why Is My Google Photos Storage Full When I Have Unlimited Backup

If you're seeing warnings about full Google Drive storage even though you believed your Google Photos were backed up under an \"unlimited\" plan, you're not alone. Many long-time Google users are confused—sometimes frustrated—by this apparent contradiction. The truth is, the term “unlimited backup” comes with significant caveats that have evolved over time. What once felt like a permanent, generous perk has changed, and understanding these changes is key to regaining control over your digital space.

This article clarifies exactly why your Google Photos might be consuming Drive storage today—even if you had access to unlimited photo backups in the past—and provides practical solutions to reclaim space, organize your media, and avoid future issues.

The Myth of Truly Unlimited Backup

Between June 2015 and June 2021, Google offered what seemed like a golden deal: users could back up photos and videos in “High Quality” (later renamed “Storage Saver”) mode without using any Google Drive storage. This meant unlimited cloud backups for compressed versions of your media. It was marketed as free, limitless photo storage—and millions took advantage.

However, on June 1, 2021, Google discontinued this policy. After that date, all new photos and videos uploaded to Google Photos count against your 15 GB of free Google Account storage, regardless of quality setting. This storage is shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos.

So if you started backing up after mid-2021—or continued uploading large volumes post-deadline—you’re now drawing from finite space. Even users who believe they’re grandfathered into unlimited plans often discover their storage filling up, leading to confusion.

“Google’s shift from free unlimited High Quality uploads marked a turning point in personal cloud storage expectations. Users must now treat their photo libraries more intentionally.” — Dr. Lena Torres, Digital Archiving Researcher, MIT Media Lab

Why Your Storage Is Full: 5 Key Reasons

Even if you think you should still have unlimited backup, several factors may be eating up your storage. Here’s a breakdown of the most common causes:

1. You’re Uploading After the Cutoff Date

If your account activity began or increased after June 1, 2021, none of your uploads qualify for the old unlimited terms. All new photos and videos use Drive storage, especially if they exceed compression thresholds or are uploaded in Original quality.

2. You’re Using Original Quality Settings

Even before 2021, the unlimited benefit only applied to “High Quality” (compressed) uploads. If you’ve always used Original quality—which preserves every pixel and file detail—then your photos have always counted toward storage limits.

Tip: Switch to \"Storage Saver\" (formerly High Quality) in Google Photos settings to reduce upload size and extend available space.

3. Device Backups Include Videos and Screenshots

Photos aren’t just selfies and vacation shots. Automatic backups include screenshots, downloaded memes, app-generated images, and lengthy video clips—all of which add up quickly. A single 4K video can consume hundreds of megabytes in minutes.

4. Shared Albums Sync Across Devices

When you contribute to or follow shared albums, those items may sync to your device and appear in your library. While they don’t always count toward storage, duplicates and cached files can create the illusion of bloat or trigger local storage alerts.

5. Old Unlimited Backups Are Still There—But New Ones Aren’t

Your pre-June 2021 uploads likely remain untouched and do not consume storage. However, any new additions since then do. So while your old photos aren’t the problem, your recent behavior is.

How to Check What’s Using Your Storage

To regain control, first understand where your space has gone. Google provides built-in tools to analyze usage across its ecosystem.

1. Visit one.google.com/storage – This dashboard breaks down your storage by service: Drive, Gmail, and Photos.
2. Click on “View details” under Photos – You’ll see a summary of how much space your media consumes and whether you're backing up in Original or Storage Saver mode.
3. Sort large items – Use the filter option to show files larger than 10 MB or 100 MB. These are typically high-resolution photos or long videos.
4. Review recently added items – Look at uploads from the past 30–60 days. Often, temporary files or forgotten downloads occupy space unnecessarily.

Media Type	Avg. File Size	Storage Impact (per 100 files)
Smartphone Photo (12MP)	3–5 MB	300–500 MB
4K Video (1 min)	350–400 MB	35+ GB per 100 mins
Screenshot	1–2 MB	100–200 MB
Live Photo / Motion Photo	2–3x still image	Doubles base photo size

Step-by-Step: Free Up Space Without Losing Memories

Follow this timeline-based guide to audit and optimize your Google Photos storage within one week.

Day 1: Audit Your Current Usage

Go to one.google.com/storage and note your total used space. Identify whether Photos is the main contributor. If yes, proceed.

Day 2: Adjust Backup Settings

Open the Google Photos app > Settings > Backup > Manage Device Backups. Ensure “Backup using Storage Saver” is enabled. Disable Wi-Fi-only backup only if necessary; leaving it on prevents cellular data overuse.

Day 3: Delete Obvious Junk

Search for “screenshots,” “downloads,” or “gifs.” Manually delete low-value or duplicate images. Use the “Select” tool to batch-delete multiple items at once.

Day 4: Clean Up Videos

Videos are the biggest storage hogs. Sort by “Videos” in the app and review clips longer than 2 minutes. Ask: Is this essential? Can it be trimmed or exported locally instead?

Day 5: Archive or Download Treasured Content

For irreplaceable media—like home movies or baby’s first steps—consider downloading them to an external drive or NAS (network-attached storage). Once safely stored offline, remove them from the cloud to preserve space.

Day 6: Turn On Auto-Delete for Trash

In Google Photos settings, enable automatic deletion of items in the trash after 30 days. This prevents forgotten files from lingering indefinitely.

Day 7: Monitor Weekly

Set a calendar reminder to check storage monthly. Watch for spikes after trips or events when photo volume increases.

Tip: Use Google Takeout to download your entire photo library annually as a backup. Store it securely—this protects against accidental deletions or account issues.

Mini Case Study: Sarah’s Storage Crisis

Sarah, a freelance photographer, relied on Google Photos to store client previews and personal memories. She assumed her older account granted ongoing unlimited backup. By early 2023, she received constant notifications: “Storage almost full.” Puzzled, she checked her usage and discovered 22 GB attributed to Photos alone.

After investigation, she realized two things: First, she’d been shooting in RAW + JPEG mode on her phone, uploading both copies. Second, her 4K timelapse videos from a recent trip consumed over 8 GB collectively.

She followed the cleanup steps above—switching to Storage Saver, deleting duplicates, and downloading key projects to her SSD. Within a week, she freed up 14 GB and set up monthly reviews. Her storage stabilized, and she avoided upgrading to a paid plan prematurely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Google remove my unlimited backup retroactively?

No. Your pre-June 1, 2021, High Quality uploads still don’t count toward storage. However, Google stopped new unlimited backups on that date. Any upload after then uses your shared Drive quota.

Can I get unlimited backup again?

Not through Google Photos anymore. The unlimited High Quality option is permanently discontinued. Some enterprise or education accounts may have different policies, but consumer accounts no longer offer it.

Does deleting a photo from my phone delete it from the cloud?

Only if it’s already backed up and you delete it from the Google Photos app. If you delete from the device’s gallery but haven’t backed it up yet, it may be lost forever. Always confirm backup completion before removing local files.

Checklist: Regain Control Over Google Photos Storage

• ✅ Confirm your last unlimited backup date (before June 1, 2021)
• ✅ Log in to one.google.com/storage and review usage
• ✅ Switch backup quality to “Storage Saver”
• ✅ Delete unnecessary screenshots, downloads, and blurry photos
• ✅ Sort and review videos—delete or download long ones
• ✅ Download precious memories to an external drive
• ✅ Enable auto-empty trash in Google Photos settings
• ✅ Consider a paid Google One plan if you consistently exceed 15 GB

Conclusion: Rethink “Unlimited” in the Cloud Era

The era of truly free, unlimited photo storage is over—not just at Google, but across most major platforms. What was once a marketing incentive has become a limited legacy feature. Accepting this shift allows you to manage your digital life more realistically.

You don’t need to panic when your storage fills up. With regular maintenance, smart settings, and a clear understanding of how Google Photos works today, you can keep your memories safe without overspending or losing access.

Start today: audit your library, adjust your settings, and establish simple habits to prevent future overload. Your future self—and your smartphone’s performance—will thank you.

💬 Have questions about your Google storage? Found a hidden cache of old videos? Share your experience below and help others navigate the end of unlimited backups.