Photo storage
Does Google Photos still have unlimited storage?
Not since June 2021. Every new photo and video counts toward your Google Account storage, and family photos are usually what fills it. Here is what counts, what doesn’t, and what to do about it.
Free on iPhone, iPad and Android. Private to your family.
No app? Open your album in any web browser: app.lumomagic.com
What counts toward your storage
Every Google Account comes with 15 GB, shared between Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos. Since 1 June 2021, new photos and videos count toward it, in Storage saver or in Original quality.
Photos backed up in the old High quality before that date still don’t count. Some older Pixel phones kept free backups in Storage saver for photos taken on that phone.
When it fills up
- Switch backup to Storage saver, which compresses new photos and uses less space.
- Delete large videos, screenshots and blurry shots you don’t need.
- Buy more storage with a Google One plan.
- Move the family photos somewhere that doesn’t count against you.
Family photos are the ones that add up
Years of photos and videos of the family, often backed up by two parents, fill 15 GB quickly. Sharing them in Google Photos doesn’t help: each photo still counts toward the storage of the person who backed it up.
A Google Photos alternative for familiesA family album that doesn’t count gigabytes
In Lumo, the family album is free and unlimited for everyday family use, under fair use, in full quality, and nothing counts toward anyone’s Google or iCloud storage. Everyone in the family adds to it, on Android, iPhone or iPad.
How to keep family photos without filling Google storage
- Start a family albumFree, on Android, iPhone or iPad.
- Add the family photosIn full quality. Duplicates are skipped.
- Invite the familyThey see and add photos too.
Questions
Is Google Photos storage free?
Up to 15 GB per Google Account, shared with Gmail and Drive. After that, you need a Google One plan.
Do shared albums use my Google storage?
Photos you back up count toward your storage. Photos others add count toward theirs.
Does Lumo use my Google storage?
No. Photos in Lumo don’t count toward Google or iCloud storage.
Is Lumo really free?
Yes. The album, unlimited photos and videos, inviting family, hearts and comments are all free. Lumo Pass is optional, for unlimited magic, full-length videos and saving originals. Unlimited means unlimited for everyday family use, under fair use.
Where do these steps come from?
From Apple’s and Google’s own help pages, checked in November 2026. Menus can move a little between app versions.
Start your family album.
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