Google Photos has become an essential tool for many of us, allowing us to store and manage our cherished memories in the cloud. With its automatic backup feature and unlimited storage (for photos up to 16 megapixels), it’s no wonder that millions of users rely on Google Photos to keep their photos and videos safe. However, as our libraries grow, so does the concern about storage space. One feature that Google Photos offers to help with this issue is archiving. But does archiving Google Photos really save space?
What Is Archiving In Google Photos?
Before we dive into the space-saving aspect of archiving, let’s first understand what archiving means in the context of Google Photos. Archiving is a feature that allows you to remove photos and videos from your main library and move them to a separate archive section. This section is still part of your Google Photos account, but it’s not visible in your main library.
Archiving is useful when you want to keep certain photos or videos for sentimental reasons but don’t need them to be easily accessible. For example, you might archive photos from a specific event or period in your life that you don’t need to look at frequently.
How To Archive Photos In Google Photos
Archiving photos in Google Photos is a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:
- Open Google Photos on your device or computer
- Select the photos or videos you want to archive
- Tap the three-dot menu icon (⋮) on the top right corner
- Select “Archive” from the dropdown menu
Your selected photos and videos will be moved to the archive section, which you can access by tapping the “Archive” tab on the left sidebar.
Does Archiving Google Photos Save Space?
Now, let’s get to the main question: does archiving Google Photos save space? The answer is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no.
When you archive photos in Google Photos, they are still stored in your Google account, but they are not counted towards your device’s storage space. This means that if you’re running low on storage space on your device, archiving photos can help free up some space.
However, archiving photos does not reduce the amount of storage space used by your Google Photos account. If you’re using the free version of Google Photos, which offers 15 GB of storage space, archiving photos will not help you stay within that limit.
In fact, archiving photos can sometimes even increase the amount of storage space used by your Google Photos account. This is because archived photos are still stored in their original resolution, which can take up more space than compressed photos.
What About The “Free Up Space” Feature?
Google Photos offers a “Free Up Space” feature that allows you to delete photos and videos from your device while keeping them stored in the cloud. This feature is often confused with archiving, but it’s actually a different process.
When you use the “Free Up Space” feature, Google Photos will delete the original photos and videos from your device, but keep a compressed version of them in the cloud. This can help free up a significant amount of storage space on your device.
However, the “Free Up Space” feature is not the same as archiving. Archiving moves photos and videos to a separate section of your Google Photos account, while the “Free Up Space” feature deletes them from your device altogether.
Best Practices For Managing Storage Space In Google Photos
So, what’s the best way to manage storage space in Google Photos? Here are a few tips:
- Use the “Free Up Space” feature to delete photos and videos from your device while keeping them stored in the cloud.
- Archive photos and videos that you don’t need to access frequently, but still want to keep.
- Consider upgrading to a paid Google One plan, which offers more storage space and other benefits.
- Regularly review your Google Photos account and delete any photos or videos that you no longer need.
By following these tips, you can keep your Google Photos account organized and make the most of your storage space.
Conclusion
In conclusion, archiving Google Photos can help free up some storage space on your device, but it’s not a foolproof way to reduce the amount of storage space used by your Google Photos account. By understanding how archiving works and using the “Free Up Space” feature, you can keep your Google Photos account organized and make the most of your storage space.
Remember, it’s always a good idea to regularly review your Google Photos account and delete any photos or videos that you no longer need. By doing so, you can keep your account organized and ensure that you have enough storage space for all your cherished memories.
What Is The Difference Between Archiving And Deleting Google Photos?
Archiving Google Photos moves the selected photos and videos to the Archive section, which is a separate folder within the Google Photos app. This means that the archived items are still stored in your Google account, but they are no longer visible in the main photo grid or albums. Deleting Google Photos, on the other hand, permanently removes the selected photos and videos from your Google account.
When you archive Google Photos, you can still access the archived items by going to the Archive section. You can also unarchive them if you want to move them back to the main photo grid or albums. However, when you delete Google Photos, they are gone forever and cannot be recovered.
Does Archiving Google Photos Really Save Space?
Archiving Google Photos does not actually save space in your Google account. Since the archived items are still stored in your account, they still occupy the same amount of storage space. The only difference is that they are no longer visible in the main photo grid or albums. If you’re running low on storage space, archiving Google Photos may not be the most effective solution.
To free up space in your Google account, you may want to consider deleting Google Photos that you no longer need or want. You can also consider upgrading your storage plan or using a third-party storage service to store your photos and videos. Additionally, you can use the Google Photos app to identify and delete duplicate or low-quality photos that are taking up space in your account.
How Do I Archive Google Photos?
To archive Google Photos, you can follow these steps: Open the Google Photos app, select the photos and videos you want to archive, and tap the three vertical dots (⋮) on the top right corner of the screen. From the menu, select “Archive.” The selected items will be moved to the Archive section, where you can access them later.
You can also archive Google Photos from the Google Photos website. Simply select the photos and videos you want to archive, click the three vertical dots (⋮) on the top right corner of the screen, and select “Archive” from the menu. The archived items will be stored in the Archive section, where you can access them later.
How Do I Access Archived Google Photos?
To access archived Google Photos, you can follow these steps: Open the Google Photos app, tap the three horizontal lines (≡) on the top left corner of the screen, and select “Archive” from the menu. This will take you to the Archive section, where you can view all the photos and videos you’ve archived.
You can also access archived Google Photos from the Google Photos website. Simply click the three horizontal lines (≡) on the top left corner of the screen, and select “Archive” from the menu. This will take you to the Archive section, where you can view all the photos and videos you’ve archived.
Can I Unarchive Google Photos?
Yes, you can unarchive Google Photos if you want to move them back to the main photo grid or albums. To unarchive Google Photos, follow these steps: Open the Google Photos app, go to the Archive section, select the photos and videos you want to unarchive, and tap the three vertical dots (⋮) on the top right corner of the screen. From the menu, select “Unarchive.”
When you unarchive Google Photos, they will be moved back to the main photo grid or albums, where they were originally stored. You can also unarchive Google Photos from the Google Photos website by following the same steps.
Will Archiving Google Photos Affect My Google Drive Storage?
Archiving Google Photos does not affect your Google Drive storage. Since the archived items are still stored in your Google account, they still occupy the same amount of storage space. However, if you’re using the High quality or Original quality storage setting in Google Photos, archiving photos and videos may help reduce the amount of storage space used in Google Drive.
If you’re using the High quality storage setting, Google Photos will compress your photos and videos to reduce the file size. Archiving these items may help reduce the amount of storage space used in Google Drive. However, if you’re using the Original quality storage setting, archiving photos and videos will not affect the storage space used in Google Drive.
Is Archiving Google Photos A Good Way To Organize My Photos?
Archiving Google Photos can be a good way to organize your photos, especially if you have a large collection of photos and videos. By archiving items that you don’t need immediate access to, you can declutter your main photo grid and albums, making it easier to find the photos and videos you need.
However, archiving Google Photos may not be the most effective way to organize your photos, especially if you have a large collection of photos and videos. You may want to consider using albums and folders to organize your photos, or using the Google Photos app’s built-in features, such as automatic tagging and categorization, to help you find and manage your photos.