My photos aren't backing up

If your photos and videos don't sync to your Google Account, check your backup status.

Backup is a storage service that automatically saves your photos and videos to your Google Account. These photos and videos are accessible from any device where you’re signed in to your account. Learn more about backup benefits.

Check your backup status

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Photos app Photos.
  2. At the top, tap your account profile photo or initial. Look for one of the following messages:
    • Backup complete: You have no more items waiting to back up.
    • Backup is off: "Backup" is turned off. To turn on backup, tap Turn on backup.
    • Backing up: Your photos and videos are currently backing up. You’ll also find the number of items remaining.
    • Preparing backup or Getting ready to back up: Your photos and videos are getting ready to back up.
    • Waiting for connection or Waiting for Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi Off Change your settings or connect to a Wi-Fi or mobile network.

Troubleshoot your backup

Check your backup settings
  1. Open the Google Photos app Photos.
  2. At the top, tap your account profile picture or initial and then Photos settings and then Backup.
  3. If "Backup" is turned on, you should find these options:
  • Backup account: Make sure that the account listed is the same one you're viewing in the Google Photos app. To find which account you're viewing in the Google Photos app, open the Google Photos main menu and find your email address at the top.
  • Back up device folders: Tap and select to back up photos and videos from other apps, like Google Chat and WhatsApp.
  • Backup quality: Tap to change the backup quality of your photos and videos. Learn how to change your backup quality.
  • Mobile data backup: Choose whether you want to back up your photos or videos using your mobile network (rather than just Wi-Fi). Charges from your service provider may apply.
Tip: Turn on "back up while roaming" if you want to back up photos and videos even when you’re in other countries or regions.
Check the file size or type

A photo or video may not upload because it doesn't meet requirements:

  • Photos can't exceed 200 MB or 200 megapixels
  • Videos can't exceed 10 GB
Check which photos are backed up
As your backup progresses, at the top, you can find how many photos are left and their thumbnails.

Check which photo isn’t backed up

  1. Select a photo.
  2. If a photo isn't backed up, at the top, you can find Back up .
Tip: To find all your backed-up photos and videos, on your computer, go to photos.google.com. Every photo and video you find here is backed up.
Back up your device folder

You can back up photos and videos that you download or save from other apps.

  1. Open the Google Photos app.
  2. At the bottom, tap Collections and then On this device.
  3. Tap a folder that you want to back up.
  4. At the top, turn on Backup.
Put your device on the charger
To save your battery, the backup process may pause when your device screen is off or in screen saver mode. 
Delete blank or empty photo & video files
Important: To remove blank or empty photo and video files from your Android device, download the Files by Google app.
  1. Open the Files by Google app Files by Google.
  2. Tap Images or Videos.
  3. At the top, tap More More and then Sort by and then Smallest first.
  4. Select files with a byte size of 0.
  5. Tap Delete Delete and then Move files to Trash.
Tip: To select multiple photo or video files, touch and hold the first file, then tap the other files you want to delete.
If you still have problems, send feedback to Google Photos.

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