Brief Summary
This video explores three methods to get unlimited Google Photos storage without paying for a Google One subscription. The first method involves using the "Partner Sharing" feature to link a second Google account to your main account, allowing you to store photos and videos from the second account without using your main account's storage. The second method involves compressing all your previously uploaded photos and videos to reduce their file size and save storage space. The third method, which is the most effective, involves using an old Google Pixel phone to take advantage of its unlimited storage perk. This method requires purchasing an OG Pixel phone and using a file-sharing app like Resilio Sync to automatically transfer photos from your main phone to the Pixel, which then backs them up to Google Photos with unlimited storage.
- Partner Sharing: Link a second Google account to your main account to store photos and videos without using your main account's storage.
- Compress Photos and Videos: Reduce the file size of your uploaded photos and videos to save storage space.
- OG Pixel Method: Use an old Google Pixel phone to take advantage of its unlimited storage perk.
Google One's Expensive
The video starts by highlighting the increasing cost of Google One subscriptions, particularly for users who need more storage space. The creator expresses frustration with paying for storage for photos and videos they rarely look at. They mention that they currently pay $10 per month for 2 terabytes of storage and are likely to need to upgrade to the 5 terabyte plan in the near future, which costs $25 per month. They emphasize the need for a solution to avoid these escalating costs.
Partner Sharing
This chapter introduces the "Partner Sharing" feature in Google Photos, which allows users to link a second Google account to their main account. This feature enables users to share photos and videos taken on the second account with their main account without using any storage space from the main account. The creator explains how to set up Partner Sharing by selecting a start time (they recommend "all time") and entering the email address of the second account. After accepting the invitation on the second account, users can enable "Autosave Pictures" to automatically share photos and videos from the second account to the main account. This method effectively provides free storage for photos and videos taken on the second account.
Complete Compression
This chapter focuses on compressing previously uploaded photos and videos to reduce their file size and save storage space. The creator explains that users can compress their photos and videos through the Google Photos website, not the app. They provide step-by-step instructions on how to access the "Recover Storage" feature, which allows users to compress all their uploaded photos and videos. They emphasize that this process is irreversible, meaning users cannot upscale the compressed photos and videos back to their original size. However, they argue that the quality difference is minimal for most users, making it a viable option for saving storage space.
Google Pixel Folder Sync
This chapter introduces the most effective method for achieving unlimited Google Photos storage: using an old Google Pixel phone. The creator explains that the original Google Pixel phone came with a unique perk: unlimited photo and video backups in original quality forever. This perk is still honored by Google, even though the phone is no longer supported by updates. The creator recommends purchasing an OG Pixel phone from eBay for under $100 and using it as a backup station. They suggest using a file-sharing app like Resilio Sync to automatically transfer photos from their main phone to the OG Pixel, which then backs them up to Google Photos with unlimited storage. The creator provides detailed instructions on how to set up Resilio Sync and configure it to automatically sync photos between the two devices. They also emphasize the importance of keeping the Resilio app running in the background to ensure continuous syncing. This method effectively provides unlimited storage for photos and videos taken on the main phone, without using any storage space from the Google account.
