Effectively Fix Google Photos Not Backing Up with 11 Solutions

Summary

Google Photos is the go-to platform for seamlessly preserving life's most precious moments. Its effortless synchronization and cloud-based storage have revolutionized the way we safeguard our digital memories. However, amidst the convenience, users sometimes encounter an unexpected hurdle - the perplexing issue of Google Photos not backing up on their phones.

This inconvenience can cast a shadow over the seamless experience users expect from this tech giant's photo management service. In this guide, we unravel the mysteries behind why Google Photos might resist backing up on your phone and provide a comprehensive roadmap to troubleshoot and resolve this seemingly elusive problem.

Part 1: Why Is Google Photos Not Backing Up on a Phone?

"Why is my Google Photos not backing up on my iPhone/Android phone?" Quite a few people have encountered this trouble. This unexpected hiccup can be frustrating, especially when relying on seamless cloud-based storage. Thus, we'll delve into the reasons behind Google Photos' refusal to back up first.

Here are the major reasons:

• The Internet is down or unstable.
• The backup feature is off.
• The Google Cloud storage space is run out.
• The battery level is low.
• The Google Photos app is out of date.
• The operating system of your phone is old.
• The app cache prevents the backup.
• The internal storage of your phone is insufficient.

See more: Google Photos Backup Stuck? Problem Solved Without Effort

Part 2: How Can You Fix Google Photos Not Backing Up?

For those facing the dilemma of failed auto-backup on Google Photos, fret not; solutions are within reach. Let's dissect various troubleshooting steps to identify and resolve the issue.

2.1 Check the Network

A robust internet connection is the backbone of any cloud-based service. Fluctuating or weak connections can impede the backup process. In this case, please check your network or reset it.

On Android:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on Android, and choose "General management".

Step 2: Click "Reset" > "Reset network settings" > "Reset settings" > "Reset".

Step 3: After that, connect your Android phone to an available network and check Google Photos.

On iPhone:

Step 1: Unlock your iPhone, and open Settings.

Step 2: Choose "General" > "Transfer or Reset iPhone" > "Reset" > "Reset Network Settings".

Step 3: Now, reconnect your iPhone to a network, and use Google Photos to back up your data again.

2.2 Check the Backup State

Sometimes, a simple oversight can be the root cause. Verify if your Google Photos app is set to back up your media, and navigate to the app settings and confirm that backup and sync are enabled.

Step 1: Open Google Photos, and click your Profile icon.

Step 2: Then you will see the backup status. There are several situations: Backup complete, Backup is off, Backing up, Preparing backup, Getting ready to back up, Waiting for connection, and Waiting for Wi-Fi.

Besides, if the backup is off, please choose "Settings" and enable "Back up & sync".

2.3 Check Your Google Cloud Storage Space

Google Photos won't back up your images and videos? Your Google account might be running low on cloud storage space, obstructing the backup process. Assess your storage status and consider upgrading if necessary. You can check the storage on Google Photos.

Step 1: Open Google Photos and choose your Profile icon.

Step 2: Click "Photos settings" > "Backup" > "Manage storage".

In this situation, you can delete those useless files from your Google Photos and Google Drive. Then it will release some storage space. Or you can buy additional cloud space.

2.4 Check the Internal Storage of Your Phone

Google Photos's photo is not fully backed up yet on your mobile phone? Actually, inadequate internal storage on your device can also impede the backup process. Ensure there's ample space for Google Photos to store your memories seamlessly.

Check internal storage space on Android:

Step 1: Run Settings, and choose "Device care".

Step 2: Choose "Storage" to view your available space on your Android phone.

By the way, on some Android devices, you can open File Manager to check the used storage.

Check internal storage on iPhone:

Step 1: Navigate to "Settings" and click "General".

Step 2: Choose "iPhone Storage", and you will see the usage.

To optimize your phone storage, please remove the unwanted data from your device, and uninstall useless apps.

See more: Is Move to iOS Not Working on Your Device? Fix It Immediately

2.5 Clear the Cache of the Google Photos App

A cluttered app cache can lead to malfunctions. Clear the cache in the app settings to potentially resolve any hindrances to the backup process of Google Photos. By the way, you cannot clear the cache on iOS devices.

Step 1: Navigate to Settings and choose "Apps".

Step 2: Locate the Google Photos app and choose it.

Step 3: Click "Storage" > "Clear cache". Then the cache will be removed.

After that, please launch Google Photos and try it again.

2.6 Change Photo Quality

Adjusting the photo quality settings within the app might provide a workaround. Experiment with different quality settings to see if it affects the backup functionality.

Step 1: Open Google Photos on your device, and tap the Profile image.

Step 2: Select "Photos settings" > "Backup" > "Backup quality".

Step 3: Then change your backup quality here, and then try backing up your data again.

2.7 Turn Off Low Power Mode

When Google Photos backup stopped on your iPhone or Android phone, please check your power mode. Low power mode settings can restrict background processes, including backup. Deactivate low power mode temporarily to allow Google Photos to function optimally.

Turn off Low Power on Android:

Step 1: Go to Settings and click "Battery".

Step 2: Tap "Power saving" and switch it off.

Turn off Low Power on iPhone:

Step 1: Go to Settings on iPhone, and choose "Battery".

Step 2: Turn off the "Low Power Mode" feature.

Learn more: What if iPhone migration doesn't work? How can you cope with it? To get reliable methods, you can read this guide.

2.8 Update Google Photos

Outdated apps can encounter compatibility issues, which could lead to Google Photos not backing up. Ensure you are using the latest version of Google Photos by updating it from the respective app store.

Step 1: Go to App Store on your Android phone or iPhone.

Step 2: Click "Me", and view your installed apps.

Step 3: Check if there is a new version of Google Photos. If yes, please update it right now.

2.9 Update Software

An outdated phone operating system can also be a culprit. Keep your device's software up to date to maintain compatibility with Google Photos.

Update software on Android:

Step 1: Please navigate to Settings, and choose "System".

Step 2: Hit "System update" to update the Android OS.

Update software on iOS:

Step 1: Go to Settings and choose "General".

Step 2: Choose "Software Update". Then install the latest version on your iOS device.

2.10 Upload Photos and Videos Manually

As a last resort, consider manually uploading your photos and videos if the automatic backup still refuses to cooperate.

Step 1: Open Google Photos, and sign in with your Google account.

Step 2: Allow the app to access your photos and videos.

Step 3: Select and long-press the files that you want to back up to Google Photos.

Step 4: Click "Back up" at the bottom. Then your videos and photos will be uploaded to Google Photos.

Part 3: Back Up Your Data with Google Photos Alternative

Suppose you don't want to fix the backup problem on Google Photos, you can directly use an alternative - Samsung Messages Backup, a piece of software to transfer various data from Android to a computer. You can back up your photos, videos, contacts, SMS, call logs, apps, and more to a computer in 1 click. Furthermore, you can preview your files on the interface.

Key features of this alternative:

- Back up and restore Android data in 1 click on a computer.

- Selectively transfer files from Android to PC/Mac and vice versa.

- Manage your photos, contacts, music, and more on the computer with ease.

- Allow you to receive and send SMS on the computer.

- Transfer data without losing quality.

Download the alternative to replace Google Photos.

Back up your Android data with this alternative:

Step 1: Install the software on your computer, open it and choose "Android Assistant".

Step 2: Connect your Android phone to the computer with USB, and enable USB debugging on Android. Then the connection will be done.

Step 3: For selective transfer, you can click a category, and tick off the files that you want to back up; then click "Export" to copy them to your computer. For one-click backup, you can click "Super Toolkit" > "Backup", and select the file types; finally, click "Back Up" to transfer them at once.

Further reading: Want to sync your pictures from Google Drive to Google Photos? Then you can utilize these ways.

Part 4: FAQs of Google Photos Backup

Q1: What happens if I reach my Google Photos storage limit?

If you reach the storage limit, the following consequences may apply:

• Storage Limit Exceeded: Once you reach your storage limit, new photos and videos may no longer be eligible for free storage, and they will count against your Google Account storage quota.
• Content Deletion or Downgrading Quality: If you choose not to upgrade to a paid plan and you continue to upload new content after reaching the limit, you may need to consider options such as deleting some content or adjusting the quality settings for new uploads.

Q3: How do I recover deleted photos from Google Photos Backup?

Google Photos has a "Trash" feature where deleted items are stored for 30 days. You can recover deleted photos within this period by accessing the "Trash" and restoring them.

Q4: What happens if I delete a photo from my device after it's backed up?

Deleting a photo from your device doesn't affect the backed-up copy in Google Photos. It remains in the cloud unless deleted from Google Photos separately.

Conclusion

While the frustration of Google Photos not backing up on your phone can be unnerving, this guide equips you with the tools to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. Whether it's a network glitch, storage concerns, or app compatibility, these solutions ensure that your digital memories find a secure home in the cloud. Embrace the convenience of Google Photos' backup features and continue cherishing every captured moment without the worry of data loss.

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